Rye News has a new editor, John Minter – its third, after Tony Nunn and Charles Harkness. John has previously been (and still is) sports editor, production editor and publisher and in practice he has been doing the editor’s job (much of the time) for some months.
As outgoing editor, I have kicked myself upstairs to the post of editor-in-chief advising, as a former journalist, on all editorial matters, reporting on the Town Council (when I’m there), and occasionally doing guest appearances as news editor, chief reporter and so on.
I have either had, or been recovering from, pneumonia for a number of months and my household size has also doubled. Other parents may be familiar with the “boomerang kids syndrome” frequently caused by minimum wages, zero hour contracts and maximum rents. You thought they had left home, but think again.
John has solved that problem and claims a journalistic background by osmosis (he picked it up) as a daughter was working at the Guardian until recently. However he has also been a shipbroker, property developer and furniture manufacturer, has represented Great Britain at triathlon and plays tennis, golf, croquet and bridge – in gaps between sailing.
He is also known to both manufacture and consume sloe gin (see top photo) – but this is not necessarily compulsory when sailing.
Rye News’ first editor Tony Nunn was a Fleet Street professional (though national newspapers are well scattered around London now) and zealously set up the publishing system for Rye News and tried to set high standards for all the details. John will attempt to emulate this and his past service in the City’s Honourable Artillery Company may be helpful.
Volunteers to work on Rye News are always needed, and welcome, as are contributions. To get involved see the top right-hand panel, and if you are interested in volunteering see “Our Rye News Project” at the bottom of the page.
Photos: Rye News library