Sharp-eyed journalist at heart of news

Respected TV and newspaper journalist Bert Ovenstone has died aged 70. The former head of news and current affairs at Grampian Television was diagnosed with motor neurone disease last year.

Sadly, the ex-press and Journal night news editor succumbed to the effects of the degenerative illness, passing away on Wednesday November 10 at Wyvis House, Dingwall.

Robert Burns Ovenstone – known as Bert – was born on April 14 1951 in Craigtoun Hospital just outside St Andrews.

He was the son of shop worker Anne and Josiah, who worked for a bus company.

The eldest of three boys, he and brothers Bill and David were raised in Cupar.

However, Bert’s father died when he was still a teenager.

After primary school Bert attended Bell Baxter High, not too far from where the family lived on the Bonnygate.

A love of golf began in his youth and continued throughout his life.

He also enjoyed football – both watching and playing – and later became a referee at junior level.

He secured a job with the Fife Herald in Cupar as a trainee reporter straight from school.

In the early 1970s Bert headed north when he got a job at The Press and Journal as senior reporter.

He loved his time at the newspaper and was a natural journalist.

During his time reporting in Aberdeen, Bert was involved in covering multiple serious events.

He reported on the murders of Dr Brenda Page, toddler Julie King, taxi driver George Murdoch and Buchan postmistress Dorothy Park.

He also interviewed killer Robert Mone from Dundee at HM Aberdeen Prison, then called Craiginches.

Bert was known for his eye for detail and technical information.

He was also proud to be an official of the National Union of Journalists chapel at Aberdeen Journals.

Bert met his wife, Susan, within the newsroom at The Press and Journal and the couple had three sons before later divorcing. They were Paul, who is now 40 and married to Inga, Nicol, who sadly died in infancy, and Ross, 35, who is married to Catriona.

Ross said: “We were very lucky children.

“Dad provided us with a safe home, good schooling, lots of fun and opportunities to try many new things, activities, visits to interesting places and foreign holidays.”

In January 1988 Bert joined Grampian television’s newsdesk.

He also spent a brief time in PR for Grampian TV and STV before returning to The Press and Journal as night news editor, retiring five years ago at 65.

Rebecca Buchan, who heads up the City and Aberdeenshire news team at The P&J, said: “Bert was a wonderfully talented and patient news editor who spent many an evening helping me improve my copy.

“The wisdom and kindness he showed me, and all other trainees who were keen to learn, was invaluable.”

RESPECTED: Fife-born newsman Bert Ovenstone has died of motor neurone disease.