‘Eric Gordon was an exceptional man’

• NOW the dust has settled and all have had good things to say about inspirational, educational former editor Mr Gordon, it’s time for me to pay tribute, (Eric Gordon: Tributes to Camden’s great chronicler as founder and editor of CNJ dies at 89).

I called him “Old Eric” from the time we met in the late 1960s. He called me Dave or DStG. We could not have been more different newspapermen.

I was “smart casual” and clean shaven, enjoying monthly NUJ meets in north London for a new drinks venue and hearing gossip.

Mr Gordon and his allies seemed to bring a “workers’ slant” to everything and wanted to “blame the bosses”.

At the time my boss was a devout Quaker – also Eric – who ran a court reporting agency in King’s Cross Road. While Mr Gordon went through his long strike saga my interest in “union” activity waned.

I had my own living to scrape. On retirement the boss suggested I would be the right person to take over freelancing at Clerkenwell Court.

Times were rough but I took a gamble and despite the Scrooge-like approach of most managements I began to bank a few quid. It was often a seven-day week and long hours with holidays of a few days a year.

Old Eric’s future was undecided until he launched the CNJ with his followers and our council’s welcome financial hand.

With Old Eric marching forward I was doing OK as well for a time and, because I admired the way he saved our local paper from extinction, I gave the CNJ yards of copy and photos for nix.

Court stories, obits, diary pieces and sports stuff I delivered, contrary to all union rules. And I don’t ever recall the dreaded libel.

Eric Gordon was an exceptional man. I was able to gain entry to the Old Bailey for him when he had no official pass.

He later returned the favour in my own damages court action against the home office by providing front-page coverage.

Though miles apart in our thinking I shall miss him.

For new editor Mr Osley he’ll be a hard act to follow. Richard is equal to the task. A student of all that was grand in newspapers as voiced by my old pal “Old Eric”.

DAVID ST GEORGE
Powlett Place, NW1