David Lennard began his career working for the East Anglian Daily Times in Ipswich, before he moved to his current home of Halesworth and became chief reporter for the north Suffolk patch of the Eastern Daily Press.
In 2005, he moved to the Lowestoft office as chief reporter of the Lowestoft Journal and has spent the past four years as editor of the Beccles and Bungay Journal - becoming a much-loved figure in the community, says Archant.
After celebrating his 63rd birthday earlier in February, David feels now is the time for a change and is looking forward to spending more time with his wife Valerie, two children and six grandchildren.
He said: “I have had a wonderful career working as a journalist in East Anglia and have made so many friends over the years. I am very sad to be leaving but at the same time I am looking forward to my retirement.”
David, who is a keen supporter of Ipswich Town Football Club, played for several football and cricket teams across Suffolk in his youth, and still enjoys watching matches today. His other hobbies include gardening and going for walks along the coast.
Colleagues and friends joined David for two farewell parties to mark the occasion, sharing stories from the past and present about his time with the company.
He said: “I have been overwhelmed by all the good wishes from Archant staff who I have worked with over the years. I have been given some wonderful leaving gifts including an Ipswich Town shirt signed by the current first team squad. It must have been a difficult choice for some of my colleagues who support Norwich City!”
Nigel Pickover, editor of the Eastern Daily Press, wished him all the best in his retirement.
He said: “David is not only a great journalist, he is a mentor, friend and a loving family man to boot. We have been very lucky to have him working in key roles in our company for more than 40 years and wish him a long and successful retirement.”
EADT editor, Terry Hunt, said: “David began his career with this company as a compositor and he was among a small group who retrained to become journalists in the 1980s, in what was an innovative move for the newspaper industry.
“It speaks volumes for David’s talent, and dedication, that he made such a success of his career within editorial.”
