Roger and The Kibworth Chronicle – An Appreciation
Roger was both inspiring and occasionally a bit annoying when he was Editor of the Chronicle.
The annoying part was that he would play the organ (one of his passions) at, say, the morning service at Gartree Prison on a Sunday (which he often did) and then cycle back to Kibworth, where the Chronicle was being put together by a team of dedicated volunteers. On the way, he would occasionally stop to chat with someone or read something on a village noticeboard, which he then wanted to include on the front page. He would arrive at Kibworth Village Hall around 11.40 (the morning was supposed to finish at 1pm), park his bike and say, ‘Hold the front page!’ Often, the 1pm deadline would pass, and it would take the deputy editor to step in and say firmly, ‘No, Roger!’ Roger didn’t realise that people had other things to do. He was completely absorbed in whatever he was doing until it was finished, completely unaware of time.
During his time as Editor (issues 137 – 250), he helped the Chronicle change its name from The Kibworth Chronicle to the Kibworth & District Chronicle as more and more villages started receiving copies. He was very happy that when The Countryman magazine reviewed the Chronicle’s output of 1994 where every single village mentioned on the front cover had contributed something – even a wedding at Stonton Wyville! Because this competition has never been held again, the Chronicle is still considered a large village community Newspaper of the Year! Roger went with the then chairman, Richard Darke to collect the award, dressed sartorially in a shirt and tie!
One special memory of Roger was when there was a very contentious meeting of Harborough District Council planning committee on a Tuesday evening. Roger attended the meeting and with our amazing typist, Brenda Dunn, and quickly compiled and typed out the report of the HDC meeting. As a result, a new front page was stuck down at 11.30pm, ready for delivery to our professional printers, A Willdays, at 7.30am the next morning. The Chronicle was still available for Thursday lunchtime distribution.
If you helped him out and he enjoyed it, he would say something like, “Thanks Stephen, I’ll remember you in my will.” He also mentioned he never claimed ‘petrol money!’ At the height of Spring he would also say in x number of weeks meaning after 21 June “the nights will be drawing in”. This was Roger’s time frame – the rising of the sun and the shortening of the day!
As someone who always seemed to have a spring in his step, he loved word games and often challenged people with tricky word puzzles. Here’s one for you: ‘What four-letter word has three syllables and only one consonant? Any ideas?’
Roger LOVED the Chronicle as it gave a voice to many who wouldn’t normally write their thoughts and ideas. He retired from volunteering as Editor in 2003 as it might clash with his new role as District Councillor; he thought there might be a conflict of interest. He remained interested in the Chronicle from 2003 to his passing last month via his letters both long and short.
I personally miss him and think Kibworth is currently a lesser place without his input. Also I happily support the idea that the Kibworth Community Hub follows Roger’s recent letters and re-names its rooms, especially in view of the fact that the current building reaches its 90th birthday this summer.
Stephen (Current Editor, Chairman throughout most of Roger’s editorship)
