Our series looking back at the last 50 years of Farnham Herald front pages takes us to a relatively recent, and sombre, landmark in the paper's history this week.

Sir Ray Tindle, born on October 8, 1926, was a towering figure in the British newspaper industry, with a career that spanned over seven decades.

He began his journey in journalism at a young age, serving in the Second World War as an officer in the Devonshire Regiment, where he produced his first newspaper for his fellow soldiers. This early experience ignited his passion for local journalism, which would define his life's work.

In its edition of April 21, 2022, the Herald simply reported, "Sir Ray Tindle: October 8, 1926 – April 16, 2022. Farewell Mr Farnham, and many thanks."

The Tindle Newspapers obituary begins: "Sir Ray Tindle was a man who had a life-long commitment to, and passion for, the newspaper industry. He was a newspaper man through and through."

Sir Ray's contributions to the newspaper industry were widely recognised. In 1973, he was appointed OBE for services to the newspaper industry, and in 1987, he was elevated to CBE. In 1989, he became a Deputy Lieutenant for the county of Surrey. His knighthood followed in 1994.

Sir Ray was dedicated to "hyper-local" newspaper journalism, focusing on the stories that mattered most to communities. He acquired his first newspaper, the Tooting & Balham Gazette, with his £300 demob payment, eventually building a media empire that included over 200 local titles. 

His support for local charities was well-known, as was that of his wife, Lady Tindle.

The BBC reported his passing with the following quote by the Herald’s then-head of content Daniel Gee: "Sir Ray had believed in and stayed true to 'hyper-local' newspaper journalism and his work had been all about names, places, and faces."