Dedicated reporter Mitch Irving retires today after writing an estimated 200,000 stories in his 44 years at The Hinckley Times.
Irving, 64, joined the newspaper in 1969 and remained dedicated to it for the rest of his life. He is described by his editor Simon Holden as “the kind of reporter every local newspaper needs.”
“He comes into work, rolls his sleeves up and gets on with his job without any fuss.”
In his 44 years at the paper he has only ever had 2 sick days. On one of those days he had to be taken back home by his editor after he struggled into work.
Holden said: "When I first joined the paper Mitch used to work every weekend and most evenings covering parish council meetings, the theatre, football matches and racing at Mallory Park. He has slowed down a bit now and we do give him weekends off.”
Irving has many different interests and he wrote news, sports as well as entertainment. He promised to continue writing reviews of plays in the local theatre after his retirement.
He also says his wife Marion will keep him busy as she has many jobs planned for him.
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