A journalist who has spent 25 years as an editor is stepping down as Johnston Press rolls out its “newsroom of the future” restructure in Buckinghamshire.
Roger Hawes is leaving the Bucks Herald, Bucks Advertiser, Buckingham and Winslow Advertiser and Hemel Hempstead Gazette.
Jason Gibbins will now edit the group of weeklies in addition to his job as editor of the Banbury Guardian.
Writing in this week's edition of the newspaper Hawes said: "After three-and-a-half years at the helm, this will be my final editorial comment as editor of your newspaper.
"It is with a heavy heart that I leave. It has been a privilege to lead the team here, but I have decided it is time to call it a day.
"My departure comes at a time of change within the editorial teams in this area.
"What will that change mean for regular readers and local organisations that deal with the papers on a day-to-day basis?
"Well, very little in real terms as everyone will still be able to share local stories with their favourite local paper both in print and online."
Johnston Press no longer submits sales of its Bucks weeklies for ABC auditing.
But in 2012, when they were last registered with ABC, the Bucks Herald sold 10,215 per week, the Banbury Guardian sold 12,656 and the Hemel Hempstead Gazette 9,118. The Bucks Advertiser/Thame Gazette had a free circulation of 25,000.
Hawes said: “Times are changing in this industry and our titles have established excellent digital audiences. The challenge for the new team will be to continue this growth and expand our audiences even further.
"From my first job in Hemel Hempstead as a sales clerk to a junior reporter on the Dunstable Gazette through to more than 25 years as a local paper editor – it has been a privilege to serve a large number of communities fulfilling my strongly held belief that whatever opportunities the new technology and new media throws our way ‘life still remains ‘truly local’’. Thank you all."
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