Eric Gordon was the scourge of town halls

• SAD to hear of the passing of my old boss, Eric Gordon, who 40 years ago helped shape the future of not only UK provincial newspapers but national papers like the i too, (Eric Gordon: Tributes to Camden’s great chronicler as founder and editor of CNJ dies at 89).

To those who didn’t know him, Eric could be an intimidating, sometimes terrifying, presence – his old-school mannerisms, unfashionable style and reserved demeanour yet rapier-sharp intellect initially made him a difficult man to warm to or to work out.

Eric became my first boss after I left college to serve an apprenticeship at the Camden Journal, without having had any newspaper experience and armed only with a cheeky “won’t take no as an answer” enthusiasm to make it as either a crime or showbiz reporter.

He not only taught me the basics of journalism and to write in a short, snappy tabloid style but also encouraged me to question and examine everything – the style that made him the scourge of town halls, political parties, quangos, private developers and other organisations that might threaten the wellbeing of the local community.

He was also a legend on the many picket lines we formed in order to try to save the original paper – seemingly always in bitter winter, dispensing industrial quantities of brandy to keep our spirits up.

I’m very honoured to have worked for both the Camden Journal and Camden New Journal for the first eight years of my career as a professional writer and, yes, I did eventually become both a crime and showbiz reporter thanks to Eric.

Rest in peace dear Eric.

MIKE BAESS
Journalist