AFTER a glorious career spanning four decades, editor-in-chief Eric Langton is saying a fond farewell to Trinity Mirror Cheshire, publisher of The Chester Chronicle.
He is leaving to pursue fresh opportunities after an outstanding career in daily and weekly journalism going back more than 40 years.
He has worked as a reporter, news editor, sub-editor and, since the 1990s, as an editor.
In that time he has successfully battled serious illness while developing a range of multi-award-winning titles across Cheshire.
Eric said: “I have had a wonderful time in journalism spanning the last 40 years and I have thoroughly enjoyed leading what I believe to be the best weekly newspaper group in Britain for the last 12 years.”
He reflected on recent circulation successes of Trinity Mirror Cheshire titles during the last year, including The Chester Chronicle, and added: “Our titles are the top five in the country in circulation terms, which is something I am very proud of. I am also especially proud of my colleagues who produce quality newspapers week on week to an exceptional standard.
“The Chronicle has been an outstanding newspaper group for 236 years and continues to be an award winning title which only a few weeks ago was shortlisted for a Newspaper Society award.
“I am looking forward to my retirement and will now be able to join the thousands of happy Chronicle readers who enjoy their local newspaper week to week.”
After writing countless headlines, Eric himself recently made the news after fighting off bowel cancer.
He said: “I am particularly grateful to colleagues and friends who supported me throughout my illness.”
Only last week Eric was passed with a clean bill of health after a scan was clear.
North Wales and North West commercial director Carl Wood said Eric was admired and respected across Cheshire, Merseyside and North Wales.
He said: “Eric is a class act, admired and highly regarded not only by his colleagues but also by the great and the good within the Cheshire market and I wish him every success and happiness in his retirement.”
Trinity Mirror North Wales and Cheshire publishing director Rob Irvine said: “I have known and worked with Eric Langton for many years. You will not meet a more professional journalist and I wish him every success for the future.
“I am looking forward to working with my colleagues in Cheshire and to meeting the people, many of them loyal customers of Trinity Mirror, who make the great county of Cheshire such a special place.”
