Adam Trimingham, who covered stories from across the county for over 50 years and was dubbed the “Sage of Sussex”, has been described by friends and former colleagues as a kind, funny, quirky and generous man as well as a “local hero” who was greatly admired for his reporting.
He died on Saturday.
The former Argus reporter and columnist started his illustrious career at weekly papers in Fulham and Kensington in London.
Turning his back on Fleet Street in its heyday, he headed for Brighton in 1967 where he would later meet his wife Sue.
Adam on his bike (Image: The Argus)
He first worked at the Brighton and Hove Herald before moving to the then named Evening Argus in 1970.
Sue and Adam met in 1974 and worked together covering politics at the paper before becoming a couple.
Sue said Adam, who had Parkinson’s for 17 years by the time of his death, was devoted to the city.
“Adam was first and foremost a local journalist-devoted to the city where he lived and worked for so long,” she said.
“The Argus was a huge part of our lives and of course it’s where we met as reporters. People still stopped him in the street until a few weeks ago asking if he was the reporter on The Argus. That always gave him pleasure.”
Adam in 2022 with members of his family (Image: The Argus)
Throughout his time at the paper, the father of four gained a reputation as being a pillar of the community and could often be seen cycling to a story on his bike.
Adam retired from reporting in 2004 but continued writing his column for The Argus until 2022.
Speaking to the paper as he put down his pen in 2022, Adam said one of the most notable stories he covered was the tragic killing of Maria Colwell in 1973 in Whitehawk.
Maria’s stepfather was convicted of manslaughter over her death and Adam’s steadfast reporting contributed to later changes in legislation to protect children.
The grandfather of seven also covered the Brighton Bombing in 1984.
He once told the Press Gazette: “I remember being in The Grand hotel at 1am in the morning, having written the last of my stories, going home and then being woken up at 3am by one of our timekeepers saying ‘I think there’s been a bomb at The Grand’. I went down and got on the roof of the conference centre next door and then went back to the office. We got the whole office in by 5am.”
Former Argus crime reporter Phil Mills said not only was Adam a brilliant journalist but also a kind man who “had time for everyone”.
“Adam was more than just an honest, accurate and knowledgeable reporter,” he said.
“He had time for and was kind to everyone, no matter what their walk of life. I’ll remember him for many things, including his wry sense of humour, our games of cricket in the office on slow news days, silly tie and sock theme weeks in the Argus office and his generosity. I feel honoured to have known him and to have called him a friend and colleague.”
Later in his career, Adam’s name was chosen to feature on the front of a Brighton and Hove bus – a rare honour, usually given posthumously to historic figures of the city.
He was made an honorary freeman of Brighton and Hove.
Adam with his old bicycle which went on display at Hove Engineerium along with a lifesize model of himself. He rode the bike over 30,000 miles covering stories including The Grand hotel bombing and the Great Gale of 1987 (Image: Simon Dack/The Argus)
Former Lord Lieutenant of East Sussex Sir Peter Field, who described himself as Adam’s greatest admirer in 2022, spoke of his sadness at the loss of his friend.
The friends met when Sir Peter was asked to write a property column by Vic Gorringe, a former Argus editor.
“I am so sad to learn of the passing of Adam,” said Sir Peter.
“He was a local authority reporter who was greatly admired and for 45 years with the Argus built up such a solid reputation. He was truly the Sage of Sussex. Sometimes quirky, sometimes lively, but always pertinent.
“Someone who held politician institutions and the people to account. He will be sadly missed not only for his journalist skills but also for his love of the city, its people and its services.”
Adam was a journalist for more than five decades (Image: The Argus)
In 2022 at an honorary reception celebrating Adam’s years of service, Sir Peter paid tribute to Adam’s skilful journalism as well as his integrity.
“His ability to retain information is legendary, as is his knowledge of Sussex,” Sir Peter said.
Sir Peter also recalled a humorous moment when Adam arrived at the King and Queen pub on a number 5 bus in tights, a velvet doublet and hose to receive an award at the Elizabethan themed ceremony.
“The Argus article the next day failed to explain the Elizabethan theme and people wondered if Adam was even more eccentric than they already thought,” said Sir Peter.
Current Argus columnist Andy Winter first met Adam when he served as a councillor in Brighton.
“He was a principled and objective reporter, a journalist of great decency and honour, recognising that long-term relationships are more important than a one-off, headline grabbing story,” he said.
“Adam had an amazing ability to multi-task. He used to sit through committee meetings, reading books for review while his pen was poised over a reporter’s notebook. I was convinced he had zoned out but whenever anyone said something worth reporting, he would start scribbling his shorthand without looking up from the page he was reading. The next day he would faithfully and accurately report what had been said.
Adam doing his bit for the Evening Argus (Image: The Argus) “Adam’s advice for young reporters was: ‘Be true to yourself, have a good laugh, and never try to fool people because it won’t work’. Adam was always true to these principles.”
BBC news presenter and former patron of The Argus appeal charity Nicholas Owen said that to him, Adam was “Mr Argus”.
“He embodied all that is best in local journalism with a terrific passion for the area and its people,” he said.
“No one had a keener eye to skewer the often silly things that happen but also the good things. I can’t imagine anyone ever really following in his amazing footsteps.”
Argus editor Arron Hendy said: “Adam’s journalistic principles remain the perfect guide to any reporter. I feel so very lucky that he still wrote his column for The Argus during my time here and until very recently I would still phone Adam to ask his advice about a story knowing he would know the history and the best people to contact.”
Roger French, former Brighton and Hove Buses CEO, said Adam was a truly great man.
“Adam was a truly remarkable and wonderful man who did the journalist profession proud such was his incredible Sussex wide knowledge, genuine interest and complete integrity,” he said.
“He played a key role in the bus company launching its Bus Names project in 1999 providing us with essential background information about all the people featured including co-authoring a book about them. We couldn’t have done it without Adam; he’ll be hugely missed. A truly great man.”
Former Argus editor Simon Bradshaw added: “Adam was the perfect local newspaper reporter. He was local, he knew everyone and everything and was a prolific writer of excellent stories, wholly trustworthy, calm, a stickler for accuracy and a fund of tales. Totally professional. All much underrated qualities but which helped me and my predecessors keep The Argus the fine newspaper it was.
“I recall he wrote (quickly as usual) for me a great front page splash leader comment headlined Field of Dreams to launch the Albion for Falmer campaign, which was controversial but right. I was so glad to see it succeed and look at Brighton now!
“The first time I met Adam in the town centre ‘district’ office, I thought he was a bit grumpy and would be happy for me to get out of his way so he could get on. The latter is probably true but not the former as I soon came to realise he was a kind man who cared about his town, his profession and his many friends. He should have been honoured.”
Lord Steve Bassam of Brighton said Adam’s death reflects the “passing of an era”.
“Adam was a fine journalist and a fine person,” said the former leader of Brighton and Hove city council.
“As a journalist he had integrity and if you provided Adam with background and context he respected the fact and would only quote what was said on the record.
“His time on the Argus covered its best years -the years when its circulation topped over 100k a day and three editions. So, if Adam wanted a quote from you as a politician with a point of view, you always took his call.”
Lord Bassam said he became firm friends with Adam and that he will be missed.
“I know that Adam’s family will be devasted by his passing and my thoughts and prayers are for them, in particular Sue who has cared for him over a number of years,” he said.
“Adam ‘the sage of Sussex’ will be widely missed – we are unlikely to see his like again.
“RIP Mr Trimingham.”
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