From the editor.....

This week, our front page story is the tragic death of Gwen Blake, a much-loved member of our community. Putting the article on the front page wasn't something we did lightly. We discussed it as a team in the office, as we did not want to be sensationalist, but of course this tragedy is news, and should be reported as such.

We have tried, and I hope managed, to focus more on Gwen herself, and the love people had for her, the high regard and esteem she was held in, and the person she was, rather than just to report on the events of Friday night.

I am sure many people will recognise her from her photo, we are a small town after all and our interactions with one another are frequent - people will have served her in shops, put petrol in her car, chatted to her as they walked their dogs, smiled at her as she gardened or were married by her in her role as celebrant.

Her violent death and the subsequent police investigation has impacted our town, and will continue to do so for some time. Not only those of us who knew her, but also the ambulance officers, volunteer firefighters, funeral directors and the police, who have all had to deal with the reality of the events of Friday night.

I take my hat off to everyone of those people for doing what they do so well, and with such compassion.

We also have a job to do in our office, and sometimes it is hard. This week would be one of those times.

While we have a duty to report on the news, we also have a duty to ensure we don't get in the way of an investigation, or publish information that should not be public. Readers may not agree with every editorial decision I make, but I hope you all understand that we don't make them lightly, and we try to do the right thing for the community that we represent.

To all who knew Gwen, her family, friends and colleagues, we at the Stratford Press pass on our condolences. To the firefighters, police, ambulance staff and all the other people who are working, or have worked, on this sad case, we pass on our thanks for all that you do.

Ilona Hanne