Tributes to a lifetime's work in local journalism were paid at the funeral of retired journalist John Peet, who died at the age of 84. He was cremated at Mansfield crematorium after a service at St Mary's Church.
Born in Mansfield, Peet was educated at the town's Rosemary Street and High Oakham schools, and had been a lifelong local resident.
His career began on the old Mansfield Reporter before moving to the Nottingham Evening Post, where he worked for 29 years. In 1973, he was appointed Mansfield District Council's first public relations officer, working at the town hall for nine years until retiring due to ill health.
His links with journalism were maintained when he became a committee member of the Mansfield Echo, the talking newspaper for the blind.
A staunch union supporter, Peet was a member of Mansfield's NUJ branch for more than 50 years and in 1988 became one of only 117 Members of Honour — the union's most exclusive club. He was also a pioneer of journalists' training and was appointed chairman of the industry's leading body, the National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ) in 1974-75. He also reported on Mansfield Town football club for more than 50 years.
Peet, who died at King's Mill Hospital, Sutton, leaves his wife, Marjorie, two daughters, Carolyn and Josanne, and grandson Jonathan.
Donations were made to the Mansfield Echo and St Mary's Church.
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