Tributes are pouring in for Ottery Gazette editor, John Gaffney, who sadly died on Friday evening.
Residents have taken to Facebook to express their affection for him and their sadness at his loss.
John put together Ottery’s free monthly newspaper, The Gazette, which won several awards for its content over the years.
John was always loyal to Ottery’s causes and Roger Giles and I were frequent contributors to the Gazette. John was especially interested in ensuring that important campaigning issues such as saving Ottery Hospital, the town bus and resisting a quarry proposed at Stratigate Farm, were given a high profile.
Each month, Ottery Town Council had a column, as did many other local charities and community groups.
In later years, John invited two younger residents to submit a monthly column, on how they saw the world - former King’s School student, now a broadcast journalist, Oscar Pearson - and Laura Copley, also a former King’s student.
Their contributions gave the magazine new life and a different perspective.
John embodied Ottery’s community spirit and was unfailingly kind, helpful and cheerful. He was always reliable and printed many many of my election leaflets and letters over the years, including lots during my parliamentary campaign.
So sorry he is gone - it feels like the end of an era. Ottery will be a poorer place without him.
Rest in peace John.
See the tributes here - https://www.facebook.com/groups/175988535857207/?fref=ts