<div dir="ltr"><div class="gmail_quote"><div dir="ltr"><div><p><b>One of Midlothian’s best known characters sadly passed away at the weekend.</b></p>
                                                                
                                                         <p>Black Diamond FM’s chairman John Ritchie died on
Saturday (March 8) aged 67, he had been suffering from ill health for
the past year.</p><p>Mr Ritchie was at Black Diamond FM from the
beginning and worked tirelessly to ensure that the dream of a community
radio station for Midlothian was realised.</p><p>He was also a prominent
member of Gorebridge Community Council. Archie Pacey from the local
group said: “John was a very faithful member of the community council
for many years.</p><p>“I have known him for 20 years. John was my best friend in Gorebridge.”</p><p>As
a journalist, editor and author, Mr Ritchie brought a wide-range of
contacts and considerable expertise into the development of one of the
first stations in the UK to receive a community radio licence. </p><p>Mr
Ritchie was also the editor of Edinburgh Guide, an author of two books
about Rosslyn Chapel and spent many years working aborad for Reuters.</p><p>John leaves his wife Catriona and daughter Hynde.</p>Source: <a href="http://www.midlothianadvertiser.co.uk/news/local-news/local-radio-station-chairman-passes-away-1-3334593" target="_blank">http://www.midlothianadvertiser.co.uk/news/local-news/local-radio-station-chairman-passes-away-1-3334593</a><br>
<br>\\<br><br></div><div>Tribute from Black Diamond FM:<br><br><a href="http://blackdiamondfm.com/station-news/john-ritchie">http://blackdiamondfm.com/station-news/john-ritchie</a><br><br></div>Deepest sympathies from staff and members of the Community Media Association. Our thoughts are with his family and Black Diamond FM.<br>
<br clear="all"><div><div><div>Community Media Association<span class=""><font color="#888888"><br>-- <br>
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