Brown brings curtain down on 39-year career

ARGUABLY one of the country’s longest-serving local journalists has retired, after a career spanning 39 years, most of them with the one newspaper.

Lex Brown retired on Friday, as chief reporter at The Irvine Herald, which he joined 32 years ago.

And in a tribute to appear in the paper on Thursday, news editor, Lorraine Howard, writes: “On Friday he hung up his notepad and I have to admit my heart broke a little that day.

“He’s poised for a life of travel and relaxation instead of deadlines, press officers and busy diaries.

“You see, not only is he the best local reporter I have known but he is a skilled writer and above all, a friend.

“Admittedly I was terrified when I first met him 19 years ago as a shy cub reporter who feared the man who had covered every story imaginable and didn’t suffer fools gladly.

“He’s been my mentor all this time and his ability to write short, sharp intros to stories is something I dream of achieving.”

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