In a busy week for former newspaper editor Don Hale, the author has been on the road to promote his book Town Without Pity and has completed around 35 TV and radio interviews. The book charts the story of Stephen
Matlock Mercury
What we have written about Matlock Mercury
New editor in the Matlock hot seat
A new editor has taken the hot seat at the Matlock Mercury following the departure of Don Hale last August. Amanda Hatfield took up the post of group editor of the Matlock Mercury and Buxton Advertiser last Monday. She will
News in brief
Former Matlock Mercury editor Don hale will be pitting his wits against a range of celebrities as he faces the “queen of mean” Ann Robinson for a special edition of The Weakest Link on Thursday.He will be playing for a
Book will chronicle Hale investigation
The seven-year saga of a journalist’s bid to bring justice for Stephen Downing will be chronicled in a new book to be launched next month. The story Town Without Pity follows award-winning journalist Don Hale’s success in securing a court
Case closed for Matlock Mercury?
For the Matlock Mercury, the final piece of the jigsaw came together this week when Stephen Downing’s murder conviction was quashed by the Court of Appeal. The Matlock paper has been covering the case closely since 1995, when it ran
Second award for Don Hale
Readers of the Observer newspaper have chosen Matlock Mercury editor Don Hale as their man of the year. Mr Hale, (48), has been handed the prestigious title in recognition of his work on the Stephen Downing case. Thousands of the
New MD at Derbyshire papers
Johnston Press has appointed its youngest managing director to head operations in North Derbyshire. Nick Mills has taken on the role at Wilfred Edmunds Ltd, which includes the Derbyshire Times, Matlock Mercury and Buxton Advertiser. Nick, (31), has worked for
Appeal hearing date for Downing – one year on
A man who spent more than 27 years in prison for a murder he claims he did not commit will get his appeal hearing in January – almost a year since his release on bail. The provisional date for Stephen
Journalist Don makes a footballing comeback
Former Matlock Mercury editor and ex-professional soccer player Don Hale has signed a one-off deal for the great Dutch football legend Johann Cruyff. But Don, a former youth and reserve player with Bury, Blackburn Rovers, York City and Shrewsbury Town,
More TV dates for Hale
You just can’t keep a good man down! Just days after quitting his post at the Matlock Mercury and securing a new position at the Sunday Mercury, Don Hale been popping up on television again and is preparing the next
Big names for Sunday
Three big-name writers have joined the Sunday Mercury as it consolidates its position as the biggest-selling regional Sunday newspaper. The Birmingham-based paper, which covers a wide area of the east and west midlands, now has TV sports supremo Gary Newbon,
New projects beckon for Hale as leaving deal is struck
Award-winning editor Don Hale is to embark on a myriad of new projects when he leaves the Matlock Mercury after 16 years as editor, at the end of this month. His departure follows an uneasy few months during which he
Don Hale recruits Joe Cocker for Shakers aid
Rock star Joe Cocker is coming to the aid of Bury FC – with the help of Matlock Mercury editor Don Hale. Don, a former player with Bury FC – who are nicknamed the Shakers – has released a previously
History under the hammer
A major piece of newspaper history has gone under the hammer with the sale of the former Matlock Mercury’s former offices for £142,000. The newspaper had been based at the old offices in Bakewell Road since its advent after the
The last word… is thank you
One of the Derby Evening Telegraph’s most popular columnists has penned her last article for the paper. Lucy Orgill has touched readers’ lives during the past 36 years and more recently has been writing a weekly column to “tell it
Matlock to Baltimore – and all around the world
Page 1 of 2 Stephen Downing’s case has gained worldwide recognition for campaigning editor Don Hale and the Matlock Mercury. The world’s press seems to have descended on the Derbyshire town since Downing was released on bail pending an appeal