IT is with great sadness that the family of Sue Read, the former editor and one of the founders of the Crediton Courier, announce that Sue passed away this morning, Sunday, November 17.

Sue was the inspirational leader of the team which produced the Courier, firstly monthly, then fortnightly, then weekly and digitally, until her retirement at the beginning of this year.

Sue Read tap dancing, back left.
Sue Read tap dancing, back left. (Alan Quick, Crediton Courier)

She oversaw vast technological changes in production methods over those years.

Sue was known to so many, attending to report on an incredible range of stories at meetings, events and more over almost 50 years.

Crediton Courier staff in 1994, from left, Arthur Sharp, Lisa Gillard, Sue Read, Carol Furze and Alan Quick.
Crediton Courier staff in 1994, from left, Arthur Sharp, Lisa Gillard, Sue Read, Carol Furze and Alan Quick. (Alan Quick, Crediton Courier)

The Courier celebrates its 50th birthday in December and it is incredibly sad that Sue did not reach this landmark milestone, which she was so looking forward to.

The celebrations are to continue as Sue wished.

Courier staff in April 2012, from left, Alan Quick, Carol Furze, Nora Parminter, Arthur Sharp, Carolyn Southcott, Sue Read and Sean Constable.
Courier staff in April 2012, from left, Alan Quick, Carol Furze, Nick Cran, Nora Parminter, Arthur Sharp, Carolyn Southcott, Sue Read and Sean Constable. (Alan Quick, Crediton Courier)

Sue was the recipient of the Crediton Town Council plate for services to the town in May 2000 and the Rotary Club of Crediton Citizen of the Year Award in 2017 alongside many other accolades for her work for the benefit of the Crediton community.

Sue sold the Courier to Tindle Newspapers Ltd in 2004, but continued to work and report for the newspaper.

Sue lost her partner Fred Saunders in a tragic accident in 2017.

Courier staff at the paper’s 25th birthday party, from left, Marion Aubry, Diane Parsons, Lisa Gillard, Sue Read, Carol Furze, Alan Quick and Arthur Sharp.
Courier staff at the paper’s 25th birthday party, from left, Marion Aubry, Diane Parsons, Lisa Gillard, Sue Read, Carol Furze, Alan Quick and Arthur Sharp. (Alan Quick, Crediton Courier)

Their family thank those who cared for Sue at Bow Church, the ambulance service and for the care she received at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital.

Sue will be remembered with affection by so many, having touched the lives of a vast proportion of the local community.

Sue was educated in Okehampton and worked for a small number of regional newspapers as a young reporter before she became the features editor with the Express and Echo.

Alan Quick, current editor, said: “I started working with Sue at the Courier on work experience in the late 70’s.

“She taught me everything she knew and worked so hard for the benefit of the community.

Sue Read outside the first Crediton Courier office in Union Road, Crediton, in February 1980. AQ 0634
Sue Read outside the first Crediton Courier office in Union Road, Crediton, in February 1980. AQ 0634 (Alan Quick, Crediton Courier)

“Sue had her finger on the pulse of the town like no-one else and was caring and kind, highly respected for her professional, accurate and informative writing.

“Her loss will be felt by so many people.

“Sue described Crediton as a very special town, full of very special people, but Sue was also one of them.”