Former Bristol Observer editor Pat Randall has died after a long battle with cancer.
Pat, aged 60, lived in Winterbourne for many years and, as well as his long experience in local journalism, he was a keen sportsman, playing cricket for Winterbourne CC as well as being a member of Lansdown Golf Club.
He joined the Observer in 1985 and set about improving the news content.
Having cut his teeth on local broadsheet publications, Pat was familiar with the Kingswood and south Gloucestershire areas and enjoyed the benefits of a widespread network of friends and contacts. One of his greatest achievements was the launch of the Observer in Stroud.
The Stroud edition hit the streets just two weeks after the decision to expand into Gloucestershire was taken.
During his editorship, Pat also established a successful training programme for reporters keen on progressing through the Evening Post, Bristol and Western Daily Press.
I worked with Pat for more than 20 years. His death was a particular blow as earlier last year Pat had high hopes of recovery from the cancer first diagnosed two years ago.
Pat is survived by his widow, Fran, and daughters Lucy and Kate.
Simon Harding, WDP
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