The Peterborough Evening Telegraph
Memories of Nev
Tributes have been pouring in for former leader of Peterborough City Council Neville Sanders and the general gist is “they don’t make ’em like that any more.’’
Whether you were in his corner or not, it is undeniable he was a huge presence on the city’s political scene
Nev, as he was always referred to in the Peterborough Telegraph newsroom, was in charge of the council when I joined the paper.
He had a few run-ins with the paper but for a journalist he was gold dust. Never one to duck an issue he spoke his mind and gave the impression he didn’t care whether people agreed with him or not.
Most of the time I didn’t (agree with him, that is) but there was no doubt he had the common touch and often said out loud what the man on the Fletton omnibus was thinking.
Fellow Tory, MP Stewart Jackson in a warm tribute to Cllr Sanders credits him with giving him the confidence to speak his mind.
So that’s another black mark for Nev (only joking, Stewart).
I remember the time when a young reporter wrote a story in which Mr Sanders was quoted and wrongly referred to him as the Labour leader of the council.
When the paper came out the mortified reporter realised straight away the clanger she’d dropped.
In a panic she came to see me about what to do.
“Well,’’ I said, “the first thing is to ring him and fess up and then we’ll take it from there.’’
About half an hour later I wandered into the newsroom and saw her laughing and joking. “Did you ring Nev?’’ I asked.
She smiled: “He just burst out laughing. He thought it was the funniest thing he’d heard in ages.’’
Let me know when they start making ‘em like that again.