Death of former Darlington College media law tutor

Robin Crowther, long-serving journalism trainer at Darlington College and former member of the NCTJ media law examinations board, has died aged 74.

Robin taught media law at Darlington College for 26 years and was also head of journalism at the college for a short time.

He was a senior examiner in media law for the NCTJ until his retirement in 2005.

Mark Hanna, chair of the NCTJ media law examinations board, said: “Robin made an immense contribution to the law board’s work.

“His sense of humour and passion for training journalists always helped our meetings be productive and genial.

“He always went the ‘extra mile’ to be an encouraging mentor to new board members, including myself, and for all those he helped gain a career in journalism.”

Before moving into teaching, Robin’s journalism career was spent working for newspapers in the North East of England, including the Northern Echo, and a period in Durban, South Africa.

A former student of Robin’s, Peter Barron, now editor of the Northern Echo and a director of the NCTJ, said: “So sad to hear my old journalism lecturer at Darlington College, Robin Crowther, has died.

“Robin had a special gift of teaching with a blend of incredible knowledge, wonderful humour, and infectious enthusiasm for journalism.”

Robin, whose wife Barbara died in November, is survived by his four sons Andrew, James, Phil and Simon.