CONGRATULATIONS. Not every editor has a columnist who made his debut before the first moon landing.

It was March 22, 1969, on the birthday of Sondheim and Steptoe, with the world whistling “where do you go my lovely” that, fittingly, Harry Mead started at The Northern Echo.

To commit to a weekly column is no easy thing. To sustain this for 50 unbroken years is something else.

And to make every word earn its right to be read is nigh on impossible. Then again, there’s no one quite like Harry. His words, like his life, deserve AONB status.

Even on the bleakest day, Harry can still shine a beam of light on the things we often overlook, the humbler the better. With a wit that can hit the bails from 50 yards, he always made his point, made us think and made us smile.

Deeply devoted to his family and the land he loves on his doorstep, he never strayed from the things that matter. We’ll miss him. So, on behalf of loyal readers the world over, we thank him for keeping us enlightened all these years.

Name and address supplied