The Peterborough Evening Telegraph
Tributes to popular journalist
Mike Colton, who wrote for the PT, has died after contracting Covid
Tributes have been paid to a popular former features editor of the Peterborough Telegraph who has passed away, aged 89, after contracting Covid-19.
Mike Colton was a popular and recognisable figure to many in the city and served as the features editor at the Peterborough Telegraph in the 80s and 90s, retiring from the PT in 1996.
At the time he said the biggest story he worked on was the building of Queensgate because of what it meant for the city but he personally was delighted when it was announced when the city would get two golf courses, not just one. He moved to Peterborough in 1970 and spent 13 years as editor of the Peterborough
Standard before joining the Peterborough Telegraph as a writer and a columnist.
He began his media career as a club reporter on the Long Eaton Advertiser, before moving on to the Maidenhead Advertiser, where he met his loving and supporting wife Jean. He also worked on other titles such as the Manchester Guardian and the Loughborough Monitor.
He had many career highlights and got to meet many famous faces, including boyhood hero footballer Sir Stanley Matthews, famous actress and opera singer Kathryn Grayson as well as hosting Prince Charles while President of the Eastern Region Editors’ Guild.
Mike remained a keen writer his whole life and even in his retirement continued to write for his good friend Peter Boizot’s Jazz magazine ‘Boz’ alongside a monthly column in his village magazine called ‘The Old Codger,’ where he would inject a bit of humour into village life.
He also had a great passion for history, particularly the Second World War, and developed a close friendship with many ex-servicemen through the old Comrades column. He himself spent his national service in the RAF.
He leaves behind two children, Victoria and Chris.
Victoria said: “We were so lucky to have him as our dad. We will miss him terribly, he was so fun-loving and was a massive part of our lives.
“We are proud of all the writing he did and are pleased that he has left that as his legacy.
“He really came alive through his writing and you could see how truly well-read, clever and wonderful with words he was.
“He always loved a discussion and was never afraid to speak his mind but also had a high standard of integrity.”
Former Peterborough Telegraph editor David Rowell said: “Mike worked as features editor for me and wrote a widely appreciated column called Colton at Large.
“He was a true gent and a fine journalist. He was one of the old school and believed in the true values of journalism.
“Those who knew him recognised he had a great sense of humour.”