Neil Roy the former editor of the Bedfordshire Times has died at the age 80, in Bedford Hospital, on Saturday, May 25, 2024.
A well-known character in and around Bedfordshire and his home village of Milton Ernest.
Neil had suffered a stroke a few years ago and this illness confined him to his bedroom.
His love of all sports filled his otherwise empty days along with reading one of the more serious daily newspapers.
If you visited him you had to compete with the TV and his iPad all showing one sport or another and try to hold a conversation with him.
His journalistic instincts were as sharp as ever and always had a little gem of a story to pass on.
Neil covered Bedford Blues rugby matches for BBC 3 Counties for over 30 years.
He was the keeper of the Blues’ Club’s history and in this role it meant he played a leading part in the production of both the club’s history books, acting as editor of 100 Years of the Blues released in 1986 and 125 Years of the Blues released in 2011.
A legendary journalist and a remarkably humble man, Neil played a crucial role in saving Bedford Rugby club in the late 1990s. He acted as a key spokesperson, leveraging his connections with local news outlets to communicate with supporters during that critical time.
Neil’s contributions extended beyond the Blues to the broader community. In the early days of his broadcasting career, he was deeply involved with Hospital Radio Bedfordshire and remained a respected public figure for years.
He mentored many younger journalists, both local and national, many of whom are still active in the area.
A true Bedfordian, Neil will be profoundly missed.
