AN editor of an Ayrshire newspaper – believed to be the longest-serving editor in the UK – has reached yet another milestone in his career.
Reports HoldtheFrontPage website, Drew Cochrane last week celebrated his 40th anniversary with Clyde & Forth, publishers of the Largs and Millport Weekly News, which he has edited for the last 35 years. He began his career with the Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald also owned by Clyde & Forth.
To mark the occasion, Cochrane, 57, received a 1969 Speyside malt whisky from management and staff at the Ayrshire Weekly Press group.
He is quoted on HoldtheFrontPage, saying: “I have lived through the various eras of the newspaper evolution, from linotype, hot metal, Olivettis, word processors to hard drive and web editions. As an avowed community journalist who follows the philosophy of ‘community content is king’, I think local papers will continue to progress as their unique service cannot be duplicated or replaced.”
He is former chair of both the Guild of Editors and Society of Editors in Scotland and two years ago received a Lifetime Achievement honour at the Scottish Press Awards.
