A former editor who quit newspapers to run an art shop in a Cornish beauty spot has died aged 81.
Derek Garrett was editor of the Launceston-based Cornish and Devon Post for five years before deciding on a change of career, running a shop with his wife Lesley in the picturesque fishing village of Boscastle.
He also worked as a reporter for the now-defunct weekly, the Cornwall Courier, as well as freelancing for other West Country titles.
Previously he had been chief reporter at the also-defunct Evening Echo in Hemel Hempstead, one of a series of daily titles around London launched in the 1960s.
John Marquis, who was the Echo’s assistant editor when it closed in 1983, said: “Derek was one of the best reporters I ever met. He could ad lib immaculate prose from his notebook to meet tight deadlines, and was excellent at unearthing local scandals.
“He was also a great laugh – one of the funniest colleagues of my 50-year career, with a devilish sense of humour.”
Terry Lambert, founding editor of the Courier’s founding editor, recalled the “great times” he and Derek enjoyed when the paper was making waves among Cornish councillors.
“I always looked forward to receiving an envelope of great stories from Derek every week,” he said.
Derek, pictured, was also a talented drummer who featured in the Devon-based rock band Steam Rocket, which performed many gigs at West Country venues.
Derek died a few weeks after being diagnosed with cancer. He is survived by Lesley and their five children.
