Friends and colleagues said farewell to outgoing Jersey Evening Post editor Chris Bright yesterday as his 44-year career with the paper came to an end.
Employees gathered for a retirement presentation at the paper's Five Oaks headquarters to pay respect to Bright (pictured above – centre, front), who joined the paper on 19 October 1970 as a cub reporter.
Chairman of Guiton Publishing John Averty passed on the thanks of the JEP's board of directors and said: "Chris has been an incredible editor. Throughout all his time he has been an absolute gentleman and stalwart."
Incoming editor Andy Sibcy said: "Chris has been editor for more than 20 years – a rare feat in the newspaper industry, but it is not hard to see why he has enjoyed such longevity.
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"Despite his huge intellect and knowledge of just about everything, Chris is genuinely modest and self-effacing, a very fair man of honour, principle and integrity who always strives to do the right thing."
Bright said that he would miss working with an extraordinary group of people: "To be an editor is a huge privilege, especially in your own home town, but actually journalism in general is a pretty privileged job.
"It allows you to meet people, witness events, see things and ask questions.
"It also allows you to feel a sense of purpose in helping to keep your fellow citizens as well informed as you can about what is going on in their community, thus playing a small daily part in the processes of democracy, justice and fair play.
"This is no small thing, so one of my parting thoughts is: don't let anyone tell you that what we do is trivial or unimportant."
In a 15-minute speech he thanked the paper, its staff and his former colleagues – some of who had travelled great distances to be present.
Concluding he said: "I won't keep you any longer because I know you have a paper to get out, and long may that continue to be the case."
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