TWO hundred former colleagues, sports and social club fellow members and friends, crowded into St Michael and All Saints' Church, Foulridge, to pay their final respects to Noel Wild - a legend in local journalism.

Mourners travelled from all parts of the country to attend the funeral service for Noel, who died at his home in the village last Wednesday. He was 74.

They joined Noel's wife, Joy, children and grandchildren and other members of his family in saying their final goodbyes.

Noel was editor of the Nelson Leader for 27 years as well as covering events for national newspapers, and writing his popular "On The Wild Side'' column for the Lancashire Evening Telegraph.

Former Nelson Leader sub-editor, colleague and friend of Noel for very many years, Roger Siddall, said that Noel's philosophy about work on small town weekly newspapers was that it was not a job, but a way of life.

He often reminded staff they were writing about their own friends, neighbours and townspeople.

News was about people and Noel was to be found where people gathered and talked together, said Mr Siddall.

Stories submitted by Noel had appeared on the front page of The Times and back pages of the Daily Mirror. But rather than going to choose a high profile in the national Press, he had chosen instead to remain local.

Mr Siddall added: "Noel will never be forgotten. He was a warm, out-going personality and everyone who knew him will have warm and happy memories.''

After the service, conducted by the Rev George Senior, cremation took place at Skipton, the town where Noel grew up, and got his first job in journalism as office boy.

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