Mercury editor Anne Edwards has tea with the Mayor to mark her retirement

Anne, who has served for nearly 48 years in total in newspapers, was welcomed to the Mayor's Parlour by Cllr Mary Coleman, the mayor of the Great Yarmouth Borough, and Cllr Barry Coleman, the mayor's consort.

As a thank you, Anne was presented with a vintage glass paperweight, featuring an historic image of Haven Bridge, reflecting both her interest in local history and the fact she crosses the bridge each day to get to and from the Mercury offices. She also was given a fun "I've met the Mayor" badge to wear, plus some flowers.

During the civic reception, they discussed Anne's lifelong commitment to community-level reporting and her personal passion for the Great Yarmouth borough as both newspaper editor and local resident.  

She explained how building up and maintaining a strong network of traditional local news sources, including village news contributors, while embracing the new world of the internet and social media, had been key focusses for her as editor.

Anne, who lives in Southtown, also outlined her intention to continue to play an active role in the community during her retirement, expanding upon her volunteer work, including as a founding member of the Great Yarmouth Civic Society.

Cllr Mary Coleman said: "Anne is a proper local weekly editor: championing and celebrating the community she serves and lives among, always finding space to cover the smaller community news which often mean the most to readers.

"After 16 years in charge of the Mercury, we wanted to do something to thank her for her commitment to the borough. While Anne is moving roles from newspaper editor to newspaper reader, I am pleased to hear she will still be very much involved in her community, and I wish her all the best in the next exciting phase of her life."   

Community champion and Mercury editor Anne Edwards was invited to a special Tea with the Mayor at the Town Hall to mark her retirement this week after 16 years in charge of the popular weekly title.  

Anne, who has served for nearly 48 years in total in newspapers, was welcomed to the Mayor's Parlour by Cllr Mary Coleman, the mayor of the Great Yarmouth Borough, and Cllr Barry Coleman, the mayor's consort.

As a thank you, Anne was presented with a vintage glass paperweight, featuring an historic image of Haven Bridge, reflecting both her interest in local history and the fact she crosses the bridge each day to get to and from the Mercury offices. She also was given a fun "I've met the Mayor" badge to wear, plus some flowers.

During the civic reception, they discussed Anne's lifelong commitment to community-level reporting and her personal passion for the Great Yarmouth borough as both newspaper editor and local resident.  

She explained how building up and maintaining a strong network of traditional local news sources, including village news contributors, while embracing the new world of the internet and social media, had been key focusses for her as editor.

Anne, who lives in Southtown, also outlined her intention to continue to play an active role in the community during her retirement, expanding upon her volunteer work, including as a founding member of the Great Yarmouth Civic Society.

Cllr Mary Coleman said: "Anne is a proper local weekly editor: championing and celebrating the community she serves and lives among, always finding space to cover the smaller community news which often mean the most to readers.

"After 16 years in charge of the Mercury, we wanted to do something to thank her for her commitment to the borough. While Anne is moving roles from newspaper editor to newspaper reader, I am pleased to hear she will still be very much involved in her community, and I wish her all the best in the next exciting phase of her life."