Anne was given the honour in recognition of her work for the community.
Anne left school mid-term in 1970 to take up a junior reporter apprenticeship with her local weekly newspaper in Melton Mowbray. After six weeks she was offered an apprenticeship.
Anne was sports editor for six years, qualifying as a football referee – only the second woman in the UK to do so at the time, 1972.
She gained her first editorship in 1987, and then became group editor of nine titles. She later joined the Peterborough Evening Telegraph as a Sub Editor, three months later was Chief Sub, and a year later Production Editor.
She then joined the daily Newcastle Journal as Night Editor/Chief Sub Editor, where she had roles also of Assistant Editor, Deputy Editor and Acting Editor.
Anne joined the Great Yarmouth Mercury as editor 12 years ago.
She said: “When I was offered the Fellowship I was shocked, and then to later find out it was for services to the community of Great Yarmouth I was stunned, but thrilled. I believe it shows the value of hyper local and community news and the respect in which the Mercury brand ie the newspaper, website and social media sites, is held. I am still overwhelmed by the ceremony and honour!”
Archant Norfolk editor-in-chief, Nigel Pickover, who also has an honorary degree from the same university, said: “I was honoured to be in the congregation to support my friend and great colleague, Anne.
“In her acceptance speech, she delighted the congregation with her commitment to both the paper and the people of Great Yarmouth. In this great profession of ours Annie is simply a legend.”
