He arrived in the town just seven years ago yet his devotion to his role not just as an accomplished journalist, but as a community leader and friend, has left a legacy that will be felt for years to come.

Professional, honest, tough, caring, original and fun are all words those who knew Paul would associate with him. It was the way he faced up to his illness, however, that was to provide others with the greatest inspiration.

As a boss and editor Paul was charismatic, ambitious, hard working, exacting, encouraging, fair, generous and inspirational. He led by example. Reporters were encouraged never to settle for a mediocre story when a fascinating and informative piece lay underneath.

Within his first nine months at the Banbury Guardian, it had won the national EMAP Newspaper of the Year award, beating entries from the company's 2,000 other titles nationwide. His papers were bright, exciting, newsy and boldly presented, and sales rose.

As editor Paul helped to introduce the fun run race into the annual Banbury Run event. He also started up the Banbury Business Awards, now in their sixth year, with Chris White, president of the town's chamber of commerce.

In 1997 Paul was made editor in chief of the Bucks Herald and Bucks Advertiser in Aylesbury. More accolades followed. The Herald was named UK Weekly Newspaper of the Year by the Newspaper Society in 2000.

Despite his job moving, Paul continued his involvement with Banbury. For instance he carried on his memberships of the Rotary Club of Banbury and Tadmarton Golf Club. And one of his greatest pleasures was helping out at the Gateway club for people with learning disablilities, held at the Redlands centre every Thursday evening.

Paul continued to live in Chipping Warden with his wife Nikki and children Emily and Tom, now aged 15 and 13.

He was training to take part in the Banbury Triathlon when his illness first struck in 1999. A brain tumour was eventually diagnosed after he was taken ill at a swimming pool in Aylesbury.

Driven by his journalistic instinct, Paul was compelled to write about what happened to him what he called the rollercoaster ride of experiences that followed that fateful day.

His last piece appeared in the Banbury Guardian in May when he told how lucky he felt he had been. After an early prognosis gave him just months to live, it was three years on.

A succession of major operations and debilitating treatments did nothing to dampen Paul's zest for life, his family and his work. He went back to his job in Aylesbury briefly then last year he returned to the Banbury Guardian as associate editor.

He refused to give up on his commitments in the town despite the long hours back in the newsroom.

He continued his work for charity and became a driving force to help the Guardian complete the last leg of its £80,000 appeal to fund a new Macmillan Nurse for the area.

It was to be the final chapter in what had been an outstanding career in local newspapers which began with a stint of work experience on the local paper in Paul's home town of Wrexham, north Wales.

He went on to gain a degree in communications studies at Birmingham University. In 1979 he joined the Daventry Weekly Express moving on to the Rugby Advertiser as news editor and clinching his first editorship at the South Wales Guardian in 1986.

In 1989 the challenge of a large regional daily, the Portsmouth News, beckoned. He was soon promoted from assistant news editor to features editor but in 1995 he was tempted back to weekly papers by the editorship at Banbury.

Paul's love of newspapers was matched by his enthusiasm for sport. A keen golfer, he was also a talented cricketer and rugby player and enjoyed running, swimming and cycling.

He was very proud of his Welsh roots and followed the fortunes of the Wales rugby team, and a keen supporter of Manchester United. He also had a passion for music and a good movie.

Paul also leaves his parents Brian and Ethel, grandmother Mabel, and sister Julie and family.

PAUL'S EDITORIALS:
"It's a waiting game - the health battle goes on" | Published June 1, 2000
Lucky, Lucky, Lucky... Three years on | Published May 23, 2002

IN PAUL'S MEMORY
Smiling face of courage
Pals take on Nile for Bith

THE BOOK OF TRIBUTES:
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PICTURE GALLERY:
Some photographs of Paul that appeared in the Banbury Guardian over the past few years.
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