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The Times retreats from 'the north' by making reporter redundant The Times retreats from 'the north' by making reporter redundant
(4 months later)
Once upon a time there was a Fleet Street in the north of England, based in Manchester. National newspapers, which together printed hundreds of thousands of copies there each day, between them employed hundreds of reporters (plus subs, feature writers, photographers and sports journalists).Once upon a time there was a Fleet Street in the north of England, based in Manchester. National newspapers, which together printed hundreds of thousands of copies there each day, between them employed hundreds of reporters (plus subs, feature writers, photographers and sports journalists).
The retreat from Manchester began soon after the Wapping revolution in 1986. Compositors and linotype operators went quickly. Other printing employees followed them when new, less labour intensive, print plants were set up. Editors and production journalists disappeared too.The retreat from Manchester began soon after the Wapping revolution in 1986. Compositors and linotype operators went quickly. Other printing employees followed them when new, less labour intensive, print plants were set up. Editors and production journalists disappeared too.
Gradually, over a period of years, dedicated northern reporting staffs at titles proclaiming themselves to be "nationals" were whittled away.Gradually, over a period of years, dedicated northern reporting staffs at titles proclaiming themselves to be "nationals" were whittled away.
And now the title once known as the paper of record, The Times, is abandoning "the north". Its northern correspondent, Russell Jenkins, is one of the 20 people who has been made redundant by the paper in its recent editorial cull.And now the title once known as the paper of record, The Times, is abandoning "the north". Its northern correspondent, Russell Jenkins, is one of the 20 people who has been made redundant by the paper in its recent editorial cull.
It is claimed that he will not be replaced. Though News International will neither confirm nor deny the claim, it is clear that the paper is making posts, rather than people, redundant.It is claimed that he will not be replaced. Though News International will neither confirm nor deny the claim, it is clear that the paper is making posts, rather than people, redundant.
If The Times does leave the position unfilled, the newsdesk will surely need to scramble reporters northwards on a regular basis.If The Times does leave the position unfilled, the newsdesk will surely need to scramble reporters northwards on a regular basis.
Note that Jenkins's departure coincided with the breaking of two major stories on his news patch - the sentencing of Stuart Hall for sex offences and the Ian Brady health tribunal.Note that Jenkins's departure coincided with the breaking of two major stories on his news patch - the sentencing of Stuart Hall for sex offences and the Ian Brady health tribunal.
The Times was therefore obliged to send two London correspondents "oop north" to cover both. (The paper's investigations editor, Andrew Norfolk, is based in the north but does not deal with day-to-day news).The Times was therefore obliged to send two London correspondents "oop north" to cover both. (The paper's investigations editor, Andrew Norfolk, is based in the north but does not deal with day-to-day news).
At present, the Daily Telegraph has no northern staffer. Since the departure of its correspondent, Nigel Bunyan, the paper has relied instead on the services of its Derby-based Midlands correspondent, Nick Britten.At present, the Daily Telegraph has no northern staffer. Since the departure of its correspondent, Nigel Bunyan, the paper has relied instead on the services of its Derby-based Midlands correspondent, Nick Britten.
But I understand that the Telegraph is determined to appoint a new northern correspondent as soon as it can be arranged.But I understand that the Telegraph is determined to appoint a new northern correspondent as soon as it can be arranged.
The Telegraph also sent two London-based staff to Manchester to cover the Brady story.The Telegraph also sent two London-based staff to Manchester to cover the Brady story.
It is sobering for all London nationals to reflect on the proliferation of big non-political domestic stories in and around the north this year, such as Dale Cregan, April Jones, Chetham's music school abuse, plus the Jimmy Savile scandal.It is sobering for all London nationals to reflect on the proliferation of big non-political domestic stories in and around the north this year, such as Dale Cregan, April Jones, Chetham's music school abuse, plus the Jimmy Savile scandal.
Death of former Sun reporter Brian DixonDeath of former Sun reporter Brian Dixon
The Sun's former Midlands-based correspondent, Brian Dixon, has died, aged 76. He covered many stories well north of his own patch, notably the 1984 miners' strike, the 1985 Bradford City football club fire and the 1981 trial of the serial murderer Peter Sutcliffe (aka the Yorkshire Ripper).The Sun's former Midlands-based correspondent, Brian Dixon, has died, aged 76. He covered many stories well north of his own patch, notably the 1984 miners' strike, the 1985 Bradford City football club fire and the 1981 trial of the serial murderer Peter Sutcliffe (aka the Yorkshire Ripper).
He spent 17 years with The Sun, which referred to him in its own report of his death as "legendary". But the paper failed to mention - as HoldTheFrontPage's report did - that he left The Sun in 1988 on "moral grounds."He spent 17 years with The Sun, which referred to him in its own report of his death as "legendary". But the paper failed to mention - as HoldTheFrontPage's report did - that he left The Sun in 1988 on "moral grounds."
Dixon started his career at the now-defunct Gateshead Post in 1953, while still at school. After military service, which included a spell with the parachute regiment, he joined the Newcastle Evening Chronicle.Dixon started his career at the now-defunct Gateshead Post in 1953, while still at school. After military service, which included a spell with the parachute regiment, he joined the Newcastle Evening Chronicle.
He went on to work for the now-defunct Daily Sketch in London and the Daily Mail in Birmingham before spending his stint at The Sun. He then moved into broadcasting as a crime reporter with the then Central Television (now ITV Central) in Nottingham.He went on to work for the now-defunct Daily Sketch in London and the Daily Mail in Birmingham before spending his stint at The Sun. He then moved into broadcasting as a crime reporter with the then Central Television (now ITV Central) in Nottingham.
He retired in 2001 and became an enthusiastic world traveller with two long-standing friends, the Daily Mirror's Frank Palmer and former BBC Radio Nottinghamshire news editor Chris Throup. He spent the last couple of years before his death, on 3 June, at a Nottinghamshire nursing home.He retired in 2001 and became an enthusiastic world traveller with two long-standing friends, the Daily Mirror's Frank Palmer and former BBC Radio Nottinghamshire news editor Chris Throup. He spent the last couple of years before his death, on 3 June, at a Nottinghamshire nursing home.
Throup's report on his funeral - here on the National Union of Journalists' website - mentions the oration by Lieutenant Colonel Nick Doyle.Throup's report on his funeral - here on the National Union of Journalists' website - mentions the oration by Lieutenant Colonel Nick Doyle.
He told how Dixon parachuted into Egypt during the Suez Canal crisis and, when he turned 60, he did his last jump in company with his son, Luke, who had become an army officer.He told how Dixon parachuted into Egypt during the Suez Canal crisis and, when he turned 60, he did his last jump in company with his son, Luke, who had become an army officer.
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