History factfile

• The front page of the first issue of the Melton Mowbray was covered in advertisements, including one from Geeson grocers stating "The attention of the public is drawn to our stock of cheese and bacon".

• The paper was independently owned until 1979 when it was bought by East Midland Allied Press (Emap).

In 1984 former Melton Times editor Norman Carroll interviewed Leo Deamer, whose father Augustus John Deamer began a 50-year reporting career on the paper in 1887 – and what a shock he had on his first day.

Norman Carroll wrote of Mr Deamer: “He found himself confronted by a small cottage at the corner of King

Street and Chapel street.

“It had brown paper blinds and the printing press, which was in the cellar, was turned by a one-armed man. About half the necessary cogs were missing and the noise was something to be remembered!”

But new premises were being built in Nottingham Street

and it was enough to persuade Mr Deamer to stay. Indeed, when the business was sold to Charles Hay, of Southsea, Mr Deamer was offered a partnership.

And when Mr Hay died a limited company was formed and Mr Deamer became a director, still working for the newspaper until his death in 1941.