Tributes have been paid to Robin Radley, a former editor of the Herald, who has died at the age of 87.
After leaving the paper, Robin founded the Children’s Homes in Kerala State (Chiks) charity, which provides care and education to orphaned children in the southwest Indian state.
Wendy Craig, former vice chairman of Tindle Newspapers, said, “Robin was a man with a very kind heart and was involved with everything in Farnham while he was the editor of the Herald newspaper. He will be remembered by so many people."
His colleague Sue Cansfield said Robin was “a kind and compassionate man whose main aim in life was to help others”.
“When he employed me as his personal assistant way back in the 1980s it gave me the entry to the world of journalism that I so craved,” she said.
“Apart from all his charitable endeavours, he had a gift for the written word and the ability to produce the most beautiful script.
“As a seasoned journalist he was happy to clatter away on an old typewriter until the powers that be brought in word processors or computers, something he found a bit of a challenge.
“We remained friends for many years and I will so miss a laugh and a chat with him,” she added.
Carl Obert, former sports editor at the Herald, recalled Robin’s professionalism.
He said: “Although he served long spells as sub-editor, assistant editor and finally editor at the Herald, Robin was always willing to stand in for me when I was on leave.
“He was adept in this role, having worked in sport during his younger days in London, and had a sound knowledge of football and cricket.
“He was particularly good with snappy headlines and created clean, imaginative layouts for the broadsheet pages.”
Another colleague, Ken Gore, expressed gratitude to Robin for believing in him early in his career.
“My job in antiquarian bookselling in Farnham came to an end in the 1980s and I applied for a sub-editor's job at the Herald.
“Robin took a chance on me. I liked him, I liked my colleagues and adjusted to the switch quite cheerfully. But always there keeping me focussed was Robin.”
Ken went on to become chief sub-editor at the paper, before moving to the Surrey Advertiser. “It was all thanks to Robin whose faith in me was, and still is greatly appreciated,” he added.
Through Chiks, Robin became a well-known charity fundraiser in the town, working with the Farnham Lions and Rotary Club.
Lions member Keith Harris said: “I knew Robin well, and after visiting the children’s homes with him in 2010, I decided, as a member of Farnham Lions, we had to raise funds for the mercy home in Kerala to fund the establishment of a medical centre there.
“We ran the Indian Spectacular here in Churt and established the centre still running today. Robin was paranoid about calling the event ‘spectacular’, he wanted to make sure guests were not disappointed, but we more than delivered. This shows the quality of the man.
“Always thinking of others, always working to make their lives better, and always available to help anyone in need whatever the time of day. A true gentleman who will be missed by all who knew him.”