Zena O’Rourke leaves Cornish Guardian to edit Somerset County Gazette

An editor of a weekly newspaper has left her position after six years to become editor of another weekly owned by a rival publisher.

Zena O’Rourke left her job as editor of Local World title the Cornish Guardian, having joined the paper in 2009.

She has taken on the role of editor at the Somerset County Gazette, which is owned by Newsquest.

Jacqui Walls, who is editor of sister titles the West Briton and The Cornishman, has become acting editor of the Guardian while a new editor is appointed.

This means the three titles are once again under the same editorship, having been given different editors during a restructure in 2009.

During O’Rourke’s time at the Guardian, it won a several awards, including being named the paid-for weekly newspaper of the year at the EDF Energy South West Media Awards in 2011.

In an announcement to staff at Devon & Cornwall Media, O'Rourke said: “I have thoroughly enjoyed editing the Cornish Guardian. It has been an honour and hugely rewarding experience being custodian of this great title. Highlights have included winning the weekly newspaper of the year title at the 2011 Newspaper Awards and the South West Media EDF weekly newspaper of the year award the same year.

“In saying goodbye I would like to thank my colleagues for their support in achieving all we did together during challenging and changing times in the industry and wish them every success in the future.”

Publisher Fiona Shaw said: “Zena has made a huge contribution to the success of the Cornish Guardian. She is passionate about the Cornish communities the title serves both online and in print, we wish her every success in her new endeavours.”