‘John’s passing is the end of an era’

Mr Dickinson, who oversaw huge technological advances in his 55 years at the company, died after a short illness at Bassetlaw Hospice in Retford last Wednesday, aged 89.

Former Advertiser editor Doug Melloy said: “When JD interviewed me for the position of editor of the Rotherham Advertiser in 1985 it was apparent from the outset that not only did he have a strong business ethic but he also had a keen interest in the editorial content of the company’s newspapers.

“Hardly a day would go by without him popping into my office to chat about local and national current affairs, but he never sought to interfere with editorial policy.

“In addition, his knowledge of the South Yorkshire region, the business community and the leading players in the community provided a useful sounding board, particularly in the early days of my 27 years as editor.

“A kind and considerate man, he will be fondly remembered.”

Advertiser operations director Jamie Ollivent worked with Mr Dickinson for approaching 50 years and said: “I have known ‘Mr John’ for almost half a century, particularly over the last 25 years in my manager and director roles.

“My first experience of working alongside him was back in the ‘80s at our newspaper printing press at Lyme Street, where we had moved to from the old original press site on Effingham Street.

“John was very innovative, technically minded, very forward thinking and driven — he oversaw the conversion of the old letterpress printing press to a Di-Litho system, using a lock letterpress conversion system he had discovered in the United States, which increased the capacity from a maximum of 32 pages to a 48 broadsheet (96 tabloid), which also allowed the Rotherham Advertiser to move into colour newspaper printing at a very early stage of development.

“I recall spending many long days and nights alongside John in those days at Lyme Street, where he was tireless in his efforts that the process would succeed and in doing so become the first of its kind in Europe.

“There have been many technical developments that John has spearheaded and driven over the years — as the industry has changed beyond all recognition — from the days of compositors putting type into composing sticks, to hot metal linotype machines, to photo-typesetting, to digital printing, to the internet. All these developments involved change and investment, all with new challenges, and John embraced them all, always looking at progress positively.

“I enjoyed being in John’s company. He has been a great support to me over the years, always offering sound and logical advice. His confidence and knowledge amassed over a lifetime in the business, dealing with people of all levels — all treated with the same respect — was priceless.

“He maintained a keen interest in the business, he read a copy of the paper every week, and was in regular contact by telephone giving his often forthright opinions about stories we were covering!

“John’s passing is the end of an era and I will miss him both as an employer and a friend.”

Educated at Worksop College and Wellingborough School, Mr Dickinson completed his national service in The Royal Corps of Signals in 1953, his discharge notes reading: “He has been quite outstanding in the common-sense manner in which he has tackled the many varied problems connected with his job, in the ability which he has shown in its execution and his conscientiousness at all times throughout these 18 months in seeing that all his work is thorough and well done irrespective of the time of day or night at which he finishes.

“I am sure that he will do outstandingly well whatever sphere of civilian occupation he finally decides to adopt.”

Mr Dickinson then joined Henry Garnett & Co and worked his way through the firm, tackling every job he could from sweeping up to compositing.

He was appointed to the board of directors in 1965 and took over as managing director in April 1980 when the company was a small printer and newspaper publisher with a turnover of less than £5 million, a figure which increased to £27 million in the next 25 years.

The company became one of the largest independent employers in Yorkshire, operating on a global scale, with large business partners including the Formula One racing team McLaren.

A special Advertiser publication, “Technology into the 80s”, told how he was determined he would not simply act as a figurehead and would introduce new technology to the company, and he was awarded a Printing World magazine Lifetime Achievement Award in 2005.

Remaining active as chairman until the changeover to Regional Media Ltd and move back into Rotherham town centre, he also represented the company in many charitable organisations, including Rotary and the Feoffees of the Common Land of Rotherham,

The Feoffees charity (a full tribute can be found on page ten), for whom he served as Greave in 1988 and 1994, said: “He was the third generation of his family to serve the town in this way, following both his father and grandfather before him.

“John’s many years of service as a Feoffee of the Common Lands of Rotherham have truly been a period of remarkable and valuable personal and financial contribution.

“The town and its oldest charity is in a much better position than hitherto and John has been a valuable and constructive participant.

“His passing is greatly mourned in the continuing appreciation of the significant part that John has played in the improvement of the charity.”

Advertiser editor Andrew Mosley said: “Mr Dickinson was passionate about the Advertiser and fought vehemently against any attempt by a major publisher to encroach on the town. He was resolute in his determination that the paper would remain independent and not be taken over by, as he put it, the big boys.”

In his book “In For A Penny...In For A Pound...” Mr Dickinson told of his passion for motor racing, which led him to compete on circuits across the country and Europe as part of the Garnett Motor Company team, as well as take part in local classic car events.

Mr Dickinson, who was also a keen golfer and horse eventer, told of his adventures in the Monte Carlo Classic Car Rally as well as taking part in long-distance Euro Rallies with daughter Tiffany in a Jaguar XK150S.

He was firm friends with top Formula 1 drivers such as Jim Clark and Trevor Taylor in an era when the sport wasn’t about the money.

“There was very little in the sport, a little would have been nice but the thrill in taking part is what spurred us on and, of course, a win is what we all try and achieve. The making of friends is a major part in most sports, but in the money-driven sports of today this is perhaps lacking.

“I am sure underneath all the hype and vast amounts of money, there is still a seam of friendship.”

Grandson of  former editor John Dickinson,  he  leaves  behind  wife Valerie, daughter Tiffany, former managing director of Garnett Dickinson Publishing, son Joel, former managing director of GD Print, step-son Nick, former GD chief executive and current owner of the now Regional Media Ltd, and step-daughter Emma.

l A service to celebrate his life will take place at Babworth

Crematorium, Retford, DN22 8FJ,

at 1pm on Tuesday August 9.