LogoNNN

Tributes to Norwich journalist and preacher

DennisTomlinson2010: Norwich journalist, author and preacher, Dennis Tomlinson, who has died aged 78 at his Sprowston home, helped to train hundreds of reporters in his career.
 
A preacher on the Methodist circuit for more than 40 years, he also took about 30 services a year in the Norwich district. He had started preaching in village chapels in his native Berkshire at the age of 18, becoming accredited as a local preacher in 1958.
 
He became a trainee reporter with the Maidenhead Advertiser in 1947 and did two years’ National Service as a shorthand-typist at Coastal Command headquarters.
 
Subsequently, he joined Farmers Weekly and then moved to Norfolk to become news editor of Farming World, then a weekly published by Eastern Counties Newspapers (now Archant). When it ceased publication in 1970, he became a production journalist on the Evening News, until appointed training officer in 1976.
 
In his 17 years as training officer, he arranged about 1,000 work placements for school and college students. He was also a governor of Hethersett High School, retiring as chairman after a six-year appointment in 1997.
 
In retirement, he wrote a weekly column in the Evening News, Cross Talk, for 15 years without missing a single issue until retiring in 1999.
 
He had met Grace at a Methodist holiday camp in 1957 and three years later, they married. He leaves a widow, Grace, two sons, Desmond and Graham, who both live in Norwich, and two grandchildren, Lee and Amy.

Dennis' funeral will take place at Heartsease Lane Methodist Church at 2pm on Tuesday August 17, followed by cremation at St Faith's.

Article courtery of EDP

Please add your memories and tributes to Dennis below.

Published: 06/08/2010


11836 views