Western Daily Press (Saturday)
Former newspaper editor who put community first
TRIBUTES have been paid to award-winning former journalist Martin Heal, who has died at the age of 76.
Martin began his media career in 1963, straight after leaving Yeovil Grammar School, as a cub reporter before eventually retiring as editor of the Western Gazette in 2007.
He was well-known for always putting the community first, championing local stories.
In 2000, the Western Gazette was awarded the highly acclaimed BT South West Weekly Newspaper of the Year Award, and was runner-up in the national final in the same year.
Alongside his work life, and his love for his family, Martin was an elder of the United Reformed Church and a prolific lay preacher; he had preached in at east 50 different churches since the age of 16.
Ken Hayward, a lifelong friend, work colleague and neighbour to Martin, paid tribute to a “true gentleman”.
He said: “I’ve known Martin since our days at Yeovil Grammar School. We started approximately at the same time in the early 1960s, both married Western Gazette girls and we lived in Sherborne approximately 200 yards apart.
“From an early age Martin was interested in people and community. He was, in fact, a very active lay preacher for longer than he was a journalist.
“This life philosophy was easily transferable to his editorial style, putting people, especially local communities, first in his approach to journalism and staff management.
“His immediate staff and other disciplines from the advertising and newspaper sales would say of him that he was a true gentleman who treated everyone in the same way.”
Bede MacGowan, who was a trainee reporter for the Western Gazette under Martin, paid tribute to the impact that he had on his career in journalism.
He said: “Martin gave me my first job in journalism and sparked a lifelong passion in the industry and for that I will always be grateful to him.
“I remember being struck not just by how much he loved the Gazette but also by the genuine care he showed towards the community and people it served.
“He was an excellent editor and, beyond that, a principled, fair and kind man who gave and earned respect in equal measure.”
Martin is survived by wife of 54 years, Pat, and their three children, Nicholas, Lin and Carrie, as well as seven grandchildren.
There will be a service to remember Martin’s life on Friday, February 4 at the Cheap Street Church in Sherborne. The exact time is yet to be announced.