Former Daily Mirror sub Brian Luckett has died in a Manchester hospital after a short illness.
Brian, who was 74 and an NUJ life member, started work as a reporter at 16 on the Barry Herald in South Wales at 12/6 (621/2p) a week. He moved to the Nantwich Guardian in Cheshire, and from there went as a reporter to the Daily Dispatch in Manchester.
When the Dispatch folded in 1955, Brian transferred to the Daily Mirror, which set up its northern base in the same building.
He stayed on the paper for 30 years, becoming a sub, and latterly a vital part of a three-man stone subs’ team. He was always on the lookout for a good tale and often phoned stories to the Mirror from his holidays abroad. He took early retirement when hot metal setting ended in 1985.
After a short rest, Brian returned to local papers with the Accrington Observer. He started as a sub and leader writer but became theatre critic, page designer and mentor to the young reporters. He spent eight years in Accrington, until he retired at 65, but carried on with his theatre crits until just before his death.
He will be remembered for his extensive knowledge (he did his National Service as a warrant officer in the Education Corps), his inquiring mind, dry humour, quiet competence and utter reliability.
Dave Hepworth
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