Eric Gordon, the founding editor of the Camden New Journal

• AT times working for Eric felt like working for a capricious despot, (Eric Gordon, editor and founder of the Camden New Journal, dies at 89, April 5).

Even when he wasn’t in the newsroom, his presence stalked every waking thought.

I lived in fear of seeing my evening plans evaporate on being summoned for what was known as an “Eric job”, which usually meant accompanying him to some interminable society drinks party to awkwardly take photos and attempt to make contacts.

I still break out in cold sweats remembering the ritual of presenting him with the page proofs of the West End Extra in the early hours of deadline day with one foot already out of the door to be met with the dreaded phrase: “Have you got anything else?”

It’s only now, over a decade on, that I realise what a privilege it was to work for such an extraordinary man at a formative stage of my career and life.

He demanded a lot from his reporters but I don’t think anyone could say they didn’t emerge from his tutelage a better journalist.

He taught me to ask the right questions, to see the vested interests and inequitable consequences of policies often obscured by the euphemistic language of local government PR and that making a nuisance of yourself is an integral part of the job. It’s a grounding that has served me and countless others well.

Eric’s death is a great loss to the communities he served and local newspaper journalism at a challenging time for the industry.

He can rest assured the Camden New Journal, Islington Tribune and Westminster Extra are in good hands and will doubtless build on his sizeable legacy, but I still wouldn’t bet against him barking exhortations from beyond the grave.

JAMIE WELHAM, N16
CNJ 2007-2011