This week in Rye News we’re paying tribute to Charlie Harkness, twice the paper’s editor and a former Rye Town Councillor. He died on Thursday 30 October at the age of 82.
All of us at Rye News pass on our condolences to his family and friends. Charlie was married twice and had three children and a step daughter.
Charlie was a brilliant storyteller. Not just as a journalist, but outside of work too. Time in his company guaranteed outrageous stories, mostly unpublishable, and told with great humour and creative flair.
He always talked about living life to the full, which he certainly did. “At my age I should probably go quietly,” he said a few years back. “But I won’t!”
He gave two reasons why. Charlie’s father died in his twenties during the second world war, his grandfather also passed away at the same age during the first world war . “I feel I’ve got to live my life to the full to make up for the lives they never had.”
It was whilst at college in Cambridge he started writing for the student newspaper. Mainly, he said, because the most interesting women also worked on Varsity. After graduating he worked for the Kent Messenger and Northern Echo.
“I’m incredibly nosey,” he said. “Once I get wind of a story I just keep on digging.”
Working in papers led to a second career in trade unions for 14 years and a spell as a management consultant. His former colleagues at the National Union of Journalists, where he was Deputy General Secretary, posted this tribute.
Charlie then became a Whitehall civil servant. “A mandarin!” he said, working for Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott as well as postings to the Cabinet Office and government departments.
He retired to Devon but soon moved to Rye to be closer to family. “It seemed more interesting than Torquay,” he explained. “My degrees are in history and geography which is why Rye is so fascinating.”
Paying tribute at the town hall on Monday, Rye Mayor Andy Stuart looked back at Charlie’s time as a town councillor. “He was much loved and admired,” he told the meeting. “He had an amazing life fighting for social justice.” Charlie was elected to Rye Town Council in 2015.
He had two spells as editor of Rye News. Former chairman and founder, Kenneth Bird, remembers his influence on the paper in its early days almost twelve years ago. “As a professional journalist he taught us bunch of amateurs how to collect news, and how to write it, keeping a clear distinction between facts and opinion. He led from the front and was tireless in his own efforts, often sending emails time-dated at four o’clock in the morning, not always concise or to the point, but we forgave that.”
His emails – usually in full capitals – continued until very recently. Offering thoughts on the stories in Rye News, suggesting things that could/should be followed, and sharing a few forthright opinions.
Kenneth Bird also highlighted Charlie’s kindness. “Behind a gruff exterior, he was one of the most generous persons I have known. On at least two occasions he took into his home people who had temporarily lost their place to live, the second time being the loud-voiced Big Issue seller outside Boots on Rye High Street. Charlie enjoyed a quiet sense of humour, even self-deprecating at times, that made him welcome wherever he went.”
Gillian Roder has been with Rye News from the paper’s start. “Charlie was one of the most inquisitive people I have ever met. He would sniff out a story a mile away and then follow it to the bitter end, writing it up with flair and humour. Generous to those in real need, he could be sharp and loved a good argument. We will all miss him and his witty tongue. Rest in peace, Charlie.”
Former editor, John Minter, remembers the days when the paper had a meeting each Saturday at 9am at the Queen Adelaide. “The landlord always had coffee available for everyone, the only occasional exception being Charlie who, in the best Fleet Street tradition, would start the day with a brandy. He always had extensive notes of everything that had gone on, or was about to happen in Rye, which he would go through in detail allocating the various tasks and stories to each of us.”
The two worked closely – Charlie as editor, John as publisher. “It was one of the most satisfying and enjoyable periods of my time with Rye News. I got to know Charlie well and I know that sometimes he could seem to be a little irascible and grumpy, but in reality he was actually very kind, thoughtful and generous.”
Current Rye News editor, James Stewart, also paid tribute. “Charlie was incredibly unselfish in his time and support. He was a huge part of Rye News, not least leading the paper during the first lockdown when it was vital in helping people in the town find out about help and support.”
He says Charlie continued to be a great source of stories. “On Friday’s I’d bump into him on the High Street on his way to the community market for a catch up with friends. He had already read the paper and was ready with his notes on the week’s stories. Like everyone at Rye News I’ll miss him loads, but the less said about our rum and coke fuelled podcast recording the better…”
At the next Rye News meeting we’ll be raising a glass to Charlie. Many in the town will be doing it too.
Thanks Charlie!
Image Credits: James Stewart .
Very sad news. Charlie remains one of my fondest memories from my short time with Rye News. In fact, he was at my farewell to Rye dinner with other Rye News folk as I’d worked in Parliament and at the Daily Telegraph and we spent a great deal of time swapping war stories from two different generations! Such a lovely tribute from Rye News though, giving everyone a greater understanding of what Charlie brought to the table in his own inimitable style!