End of an era for Chronicle’s Marina

Evening Chronicle reporter Marina Berry (foreground) pictured with colleagues

REPORTER Marina Berry has written her last story after 25 years at the Oldham Evening Chronicle.

Marina (54) joined the paper from the Rochdale Observer and has been health correspondent for more than 20 years.

In that time she has covered everything from Prince Charles visiting the Royal Oldham Hospital to the first laparoscopic operation there, actually going into theatre to watch the procedure.

In 2012, she wrote a week-long series of harrowing stories highlighting the poor standards of care that people had received at the hospital.

This promoted bosses to invite a reporter and photographer on to the wards hear about the good work going on.

Marina has also written countless moving stories about people who have struggled against the odds to battle illness and adversity, and reported extensively on Dr Kershaw’s Hospice.

“My favourite part of the job has been going out and meeting ordinary people in Oldham It has been a privilege me to be welcomed into their homes and hear to their stories, which has often been difficult for them to tell,” she said.

“I have met a lot people who I now regard as friends in the last 25 years — both in and out of the office — and I will miss them all.”

Marina, a keen gardener, regularly reported on the Tatton Flower Show and at one time maintained and wrote about an allotment for the Chronicle .

She enjoys walking in her free time — she is currently trying to bag all the Wainwright peaks in the Lake District — and also has a horse. She is looking forward to having more time to peruse her hobbies in her retirement.
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