Cotswolds News
Village reporter writes final story
3:00pm Sunday 19th February 2012
THE Journal’s long-serving grassroots reporter Maurice Andrews is giving up the post after 62 years.
The 89-year-old first started with the Journal as a village correspondent for Broadway in 1951. He continued until 1962 when he moved to Eastbourne to work for the NHS.
On his return in 1979, he took up the post of village correspondent for Willersey, near Broadway, which he has held up until last month, when he wrote his final report.
Over the years he has written hundreds of reports on village life including parish council meetings, the WI and gardening clubs.
Mr Andrews, who intends to stand down as chairman of Willersey Parish Council in May, said: “I’ve enjoyed it very much. But I’ve often felt I could have done more. I’ve relied on local people to keep me informed.
“I’ve found it very interesting.
Over the years I’ve seen many changes and I don’t know how many editors.
“The difficult job is getting people to come forward. Very often they don’t feel something is worth reporting.”
In 2007, Mr Andrews was the only man in Worcestershire to be made an MBE for his services to the community at the Queen’s birthday honours.
He has devoted much of his life to the community, not only as a village correspondent, but also as a member of Broadway Parish Council and the formerly-named Evesham District Council (1951-62) before serving as a member of Willersey Parish Council, for the last 16 years as chairman.
“Willersey is a very good community,” he said. “I would very much like somebody to come forward and take up the post because it’s worthy and can be very interesting.”
Mr Andrews’ plans to relax now he has given up the post may be short-lived. He is due to celebrate two milestones next month – his wife’s 90th birthday and their 65th wedding anniversary.