A journalist has left the regional press industry after working for a total of 29 different newspapers during his 45-year career.
Barrie Farnsworth, left, has challenged others to match or beat the number of titles he served on over the course of his working life – which included stints editing titles in Worksop, Scunthorpe and Lincoln.
His time in journalism has seen him work on titles across the Midlands, Lincolnshire and Sheffield, most recently on a freelance basis at the Tamworth Herald.
Of his record of having worked for 29 different papers, Barrie said: “I would love to hear from anyone who can match or beat that.”
He told HTFP: “I have seen a lot of change over the past 45 years – but I have simply loved being a journalist. I think the only newsroom job I have not had is Sports Editor – and despite loving my cricket rugby and football, I have no regrets about that.
“I have edited some great teams at Worksop, Scunthorpe and Lincoln – and I have also worked for some great editors, especially the late Peter Moore, the long-standing editor of the Grimsby Telegraph, where I enjoyed my role as production editor (and that strange title of Tera super-user too!), and Gary Phelps, who has been a fine editor at the Tamworth Herald for many years.
“I have also been lucky enough to have enjoyed what, with hindsight, was a golden period for journalists – although the last decade has been more painful for most.
“I fear for the future of local newspapers – and I sincerely believe that the Government should consider subsidising them sooner rather than later.”
Barrie’s last staff role was on the Derby Telegraph before being made redundant in 2009, since when he has worked as a freelance.
The full list of titles Barrie has worked for is as follows:
Derbyshire Times
Buxton Advertiser
Sheffield Morning Telegraph
Worksop Guardian
Scunthorpe Star
Scunthorpe Extra
Lincoln Standard
Horncastle Standard
Boston Standard
Skegness Standard
Gainsborough News
Sleaford Standard
Grimsby Telegraph
Grimsby Target
Scunthorpe Telegraph
Scunthorpe Target
Derby Telegraph
Stoke Sentinel
Leek Post
Uttoxeter Advertiser
Tamworth Herald
Lichfield Mercury
Walsall Advertiser
Great Barr Observer
Sutton Observer
Leicester Mercury
Nottingham Post
Ashbourne Telegraph
Nuneaton News
Sign up for our free daily email bulletin
Follow HTFP on Twitter
Got a story? Email the Editor at
Truly a privilege to have worked with you and shared the odd beer with you, Bazza, and to benefit from your considerable wit and wisdom, and to witness your supreme editing talents and your unflappable, positive outlook under the severest of pressure.
Any time you fancy another night out in Brigg, count me in!
Report this comment
CONGRATULATIONS to Barrie Farnsworth for working on so many newspapers in his long, happy career.
However, I think I can top his tally, thanks largely to working for two large groups.
While with TRN in London, I was working for between 12 and 15 daily newspapers simultaneously. And when I moved to Cornwall for the ‘quiet life’ – some hope! – I found myself editor of no fewer than ten titles.
I’ve also worked for three international agencies, thus ensuring that my byline appeared in dozens more newspapers around the world.
Below is the list of papers/agencies I actually worked for as a staff journalist or freelance.
The second list is of newspapers my byline appeared in, with clippings to prove it. There must be many more I never heard about.
In spite of this long list, I know I’m not a world-beater in this regard.
My old pal Ron Laytner, the well-known international freelance, has written for more than 300 titles.
His amazing story is told in Pictures to Die For, available on Amazon.
Yours etc
John Marquis
Northampton Chronicle and Echo
Northants Mercury and Herald
Northampton Town and County Independent
Nottingham Evening Post
Nottingham Guardian Journal
Nassau Guardian (Bahamas)
Sunday Guardian (short-lived)
The Tribune (Bahamas)
Reuters
Copley News Service
Gemini News Service
Canadian Press
Evening Echo, Hemel Hempstead
Evening Post, Hemel Hempstead
Slough Evening Mail
Reading Evening Post
Blackburn Evening Telegraph
Burnley Evening Star
Middlesbrough Evening Gazette
Newcastle Evening Chronicle
The Journal, Newcastle
The Scotsman
Edinburgh Evening News
Aberdeen Evening Express
Press and Journal, Aberdeen
Belfast Telegraph
Western Mail
South Wales Echo
Evening Post-Echo, Hemel Hempstead
Business Digest
Free Media Digest
Falmouth Packet
Penryn Packet
St Ives Packet
Helston Packet
Penzance Packet
St Austell Packet
Redruth Packet
Camborne Packet
Truro Packet
Newquay Packet
Cornwall Courier
As an agency freelance, my byline has appeared in:
Washington Post, USA
Washington Evening Star, USA
Philadelphia Bulletin, USA
San Diego Union, USA
Sacramento Bee, USA
Torrance Daily Breeze, USA
Toledo Blade, USA
Miami Herald, USA
Dallas Morning News, USA
The Vancouver Sun, Canada
Gibraltar Chronicle
Times of Malta
Sarawak Journal
Barbados Advocate
Guyana Graphic
Daily Gleaner, Jamaica
The Voice, St Lucia
New Zealand Herald
Perth Independent, Australia
Meriden Express, Australia
Leicester Illustrated Chronicle
Press Association Features
The Independent, London
Evening Standard, London
Boston Globe, USA
Report this comment
No excuses, but I missed two out – Ireland’s Saturday Night and the Sunday Sun at Newcastle. Plus, of course, all the old pink ‘uns and green ‘uns of yesteryear. Ah, such happy times…
Report this comment
One of the best ‘Tera super users’ I might add.
Report this comment
As impressive as both of these lists may be – and there is still a lot to be said for loyalty to one paper (where possible), I think we need a distinction here between writing stories that appear in numerous papers (or editions of) and actually physically being employed by them in the office rather than on a freelance or third-party basis.
I think if it’s a case of the former then one might ask why Barry and John didn’t settle in one place – which is why I suspect the case is more the latter!
Report this comment
Very best wishes Basra! Appreciate all your learnings, lucid tongue-lashings of lesser mortals and ability to receive free wine deliveries despite having long-since binned the column. Here’s to a long and happy one.
Report this comment