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The first member of the Burnley Express staff to make full front-page news on the Burnley Express, Mr Joe Wilkinson receives his own souvenir copy from Mr Leah. With him, from the left, are Eric Austin, Mr Jack Fisher, Mr Leah, Mr. A. Marsden, Mr. K. Nightingale, Mr Wilkinson, Mr Bracewell and Mr Harry Whittaker.
Conscientious towards his job, pleasant to work with, worthy of respect - these were some of the phrases used by colleagues to say “thank you” and “goodbye” to Mr Joe Wilkinson, composing room overseer and a member of the Burnley Express for 52 years who retired yesterday. Mr Wilkinson who is 65 tomorrow, is one of the few employees who have stayed with the firm for so long. To mark the occasion, special souvenir issues of the Burnley Express the first ever printed for an event such as this were distributed to his colleagues. The whole of the front page was devoted to a history of his work with the newspaper and outside activities. A message of appreciation from Mr Ernest Leah (general manager of the Burnley Express and Nelson Leader Series) and tributes from the various departments were also included in the page.
At a presentation ceremony Mr Wilkinson was handed the paper, the production of which had been kept secret from him. At the ceremony Mr Leah handed over a tankard, fountain pen set, a wallet- and packet of sixpences so that Mr Wilkinson will, in his retirement, be able to continue to play fruit machines, a pastime which has become the subject of much good-natured humour from his colleagues on the paper. Members of the sports and social club gave him a cigarette lighter and Mr E Austin (chairman) announced that Mr Wilkinson had been appointed the first and only honorary member of the club. Other colleagues including Mr K Nightingale (editor), Mr A Marsden (works manager), Mr N Bray (head of the advertising dept.), Mr P Daykin (chief sub-editor), Mr R Siddall (sub-editor, Nelson Leader) and Mr Bracewell (Mr Wilkinson’s successor), thanked him and wished him well in the futures.
Mr Wilkinson was born in Worsthorne and attended St John’s RC School, Ivy Street until he was 13. He started work as an apprentice in the jobbing room of the Burnley Express in 1918 where he stayed for 10 years. Then came a move to the news composing room and he was promoted to overseer 15 years ago. Two years ago, on completion of 50 years’ service, Mr Wilkinson received a gold watch from the directors. Outside work, Mr Wilkinson has been a lifelong member of St John’s RC Church, and was married there. He has a son Paul, who is 24, and is also a printer. As a member of the St Vincent de Paul Society, Mr Wilkinson has spent much time visiting the sick and elderly on welfare work. He has always been a fan of Burnley Football Club. He is a member of Lanehead Working Men’s Club committee.