SINCE Friday’s announcement that I will soon be leaving the editor’s chair at The Northern Echo after 17 years, I’ve spent most of my time reading hundreds of messages – one or two saying “good riddance” but nearly all of them very kind.

They have been humbling, very much appreciated and I’ll do my best not to miss out anyone in sending a personal reply. More than one reduced me to tears and quite a few made me laugh out loud.

There was even one from Mr Punch – alias veteran children’s entertainer Brian Llewellyn – simply saying: “That’s the way to do it.”

Growing up in the North-East, it became my ambition to be a reporter for The Northern Echo but I never imagined that I would end up as its longest-serving editor.

When I joined the staff in 1984 – after a three-year “apprenticeship” on the Scunthorpe Evening Telegraph – I was both thrilled and terrified. When I became editor 15 years later, inheriting one of the most talented and committed editorial teams in the regional press, it was one of the proudest days of my life.

It has been an unforgettable experience to sit in the editor’s chair over such a long and challenging period, during which the media industry has undergone enormous change.

Along the way, there have been many highlights, plenty of mistakes, a few threats of physical violence, one death threat, no shortage of abuse, lots of laughter and quite a few tears. But I will always be immensely grateful for the opportunity I was given and for the incredible support of my colleagues and The Northern Echo’s wonderfully loyal readers.

I’ll take most pride from the successful campaigns which the Echo team has fought in recent years, especially raising money to help build the Butterwick Children’s Hospice, banging the drum to bring the Hitachi train-building factory to County Durham, and cutting heart bypass waiting times after the death of our friend and colleague Ian Weir who waited eight months for an operation at South Cleveland Hospital.

However, with my 54th birthday approaching, the time feels right to hand over to someone new. It is no secret that these are difficult times for the regional press and it needs someone with fresh ideas and energy to take the paper – and its rapidly-growing website – into a new era. My successor will be announced soon.

Although I am relinquishing the responsibility of being editor from March 25, I am delighted that I will continue to write for The Northern Echo and to represent the paper in the community. The title of this column will have to change but it will still appear under my name and I have been asked to go on writing Dad At Large, which has so far lasted a quarter of a century.

I’ll miss the camaraderie of the newsroom but I’m also looking forward to having time to pursue other interests, including writing more children’s books.

The Northern Echo has been a hugely important part of my life and I have no doubt that will continue to be the case – just in a different way.

Thank you to everyone who has made the past 36 years so memorable. Most of all, thank you to my wife, Heather, and our children Christopher, Hannah, Jack and Max for their love and understanding.

One of my favourite messages I received after Friday’s announcement read: “Your time as editor has clearly taken its toll.”

It has indeed been a long, hard paper round – as the pictures above show all too well – but it has also been a great privilege.

MEANWHILE, my love affair with the Women’s Institute goes on. Last week, it was an honour to be the only man at a dinner at Redworth Hall to mark the centenary of Witton-le-Wear branch.

Witton-le-Wear WI, founded by Mrs H.G. Stobart, has the distinction of being the first branch in County Durham and the 13th in the country. It is also lucky to have had as its president the force of nature that is Sheila Tock, right.

Sheila is 85 now and tributes were rightly paid on the night to her strength and leadership over decades of service. The phrase “salt of the earth” could easily have been invented for Sheila – down to earth, and lovely with it.

THE Redworth Hall dinner was packed – in marked contrast to the first time I encountered Witton-le-Wear WI.

Several years ago, I’d been asked to speak in the village hall and only half a dozen members turned out to hear me.

Typically, Sheila didn’t mince her words: “I’m sorry, Peter but Cliff Richard’s on at Newcastle Arena so the ladies have organised a bus. It was no contest really.”

FINALLY, I’m indebted to many kind people over those 17 years as editor and Alasdair MacConachie – “Mr Darlington” – has been one of the kindest.

Last week, Alasdair – businessman and tireless community campaigner – celebrated his 70th birthday and his friends at The Northern Echo commissioned the caricature, below, by gifted local artist David Wright.

Happy birthday, Alasdair – and thanks for everything.