Ton Up for Twelfth Annual Newspaper Reunion

Almost 100 people yesterday gathered in Aberdeen for an annual reunion of former journalists from Aberdeen Journals, publishers of the Press and Journal and Evening Express newspapers.

The soiree, now in its 12th year, is organised annually by former Press and Journal news desk executive, Ethel Simpson, and guests travelled from as far afield as the Highlands, Edinburgh and Glasgow for the lunchtime get-together at Aberdeenshire Cricket Club.

Guest speaker was Glasgow-based writer, broadcaster and playwright, Jack Webster, a North-east 'loon' who cut his journalist teeth on the Press and Journal after a brief trainee period on the Turriff Advertiser weekly. Presiding over proceedings was former Press and Journal editor, Peter Watson.

Simpson is already planning next year’s event. The Simpson journalistic dynasty has been continued by her daughter, Emma Simpson, who is a news correspondent with BBC TV in London.