A man of infinite patience who added elegance to paper

Ex-colleagues pay tribute to former journalist

A highly-respected former KM Group journalist who worked in Ashford and Canterbury is being remembered with affection by colleagues following his death, aged 85.

The many tributes to Don Packham praise his skill as a reporter and writer, but also his kind and generous nature.

His journalistic career spanned more than 40 years and started with the Gravesend and Dartford Reporter in 1953.

He joined the Kentish Express in 1960 and worked at various times as a district reporter, feature writer, crime reporter, sub-editor and deputy news editor.

Former editor Brian Lewis said: “He was a prolific and skilled writer....a man of infinite patience who never raised his voice in anger.

“I challenge anyone to find fault with Don, who had no enemies. His writing skills added elegance to the news and feature content of the Kentish Express.”

Another of the KM group’s former editors, Malcolm Mitchell, recalled: “Don took over the Canterbury office of the Kentish Express from me.

“He was all the things I wanted to be - a good writer with a marvellously light touch on an offbeat story, helpful if one had

‘He was all the things I wanted to be - a good writer with a marvellously light touch on an off-beat story’

missed a story, and a good friend.

“He will be much missed by all who had the privilege to work with him.”

Sports editor Mark Stokes added: “He was kind and funny and old school in the very best sense. If I’m not mistaken, he came up with the slogan ‘who cares wins’.”

Educated at Erith grammar school and Erith Technical College, Don joined the Press Association as an editorial assistant before carrying out National Service with the Army Intelligence Corps from 1951-53, serving in the Far East.

He later married Betty and they had two sons, Simon and Alan. He was widowed in 2010.

Don died following a collapse at home in St Stephen’s Court, Canterbury, on August 13.

His funeral will be at Barham Crematorium at 10am on Monday, September 2 followed by a wake at the Red Lion in Bridge.