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Long-serving weekly columnist dies aged 70

John AlmondA long-serving weekly newspaper columnist has died suddenly aged 70.

Tributes have been paid to John Almond, who wrote a monthly nature column for the Northumberland Gazette.

The column ‘Nature Notes’ was written on behalf of the Alnwick and District Natural History Society, with which he had been involved since 1970.

John had celebrated his 70th birthday on 12 December with a walk with friends.

Gazette editor Paul Larkin said: “John was a gentleman and a stalwart of the paper with his fascinating nature insights. He will be greatly missed by his family, friends and the army of fans of his column.”

Born on Tyneside, John worked as a teacher in Amble, on the Northumberland coast, for his entire career.

In his retirement he travelled across the world to places including Antarctica and Everest Basecamp.