The sad passing of Gordon Maxwell

Gordon Maxwell

Editor,

I'm greatly saddened to see mention of the passing of Gordon Maxwell, who had only recently become news editor at the Oldham Chronicle when I started on my short spell as a reporter there, from October 1970 to July 1971.

I first met him in 1966 in the lounge bar of the Royal Oak Pub, Lees Road in Hurst Cross when - as a reporter at the Ashton Reporter - I was interviewing actor Ronnie Fraser on his return from making the movie 'Flight of the Phoenix' in Hollywood.

There's no denying that my time at the Chron wasn't a bed-of-roses, and particularly since I didn't hit it off with Gordon, or his 'favourite' News Editor Peter O'Reilly; which sparked my departure to London and the tabloids.

Even so, I liked and respected Gordon for his noted skills and evident professionalism.

Ironically, only recently, I couldn't get Gordon Maxwell off my mind, and - after checking him out - was delighted to see that he was still alive, and at such a great age.

There's no denying Gordon Maxwell was a dynamic operator and a stalwart as far as the continued success of the Hirst, Kidd and Rennie 'Bible' was concerned.

God Bless the dear man!

Gerry Nicholas

(aka Actor Gerry George)

The views expressed are those of the author of the letter and not those of Oldham Chronicle.