The family of a “hardworking and intelligent” former Brecon & Radnor Express editor have paid tribute to him following his death.

Patrick Edwards, who was a journalist for more than 30 years, died on March 28 this year.

Described by his family as “very witty, spontaneous, hardworking and intelligent” Patrick leaves behind his mother, two adult children - Billy and Georgie - and his partner of 13 years Maret, as well as her daughter and granddaughter - who he cared for very much.

“We loved him very much, and we were very proud of him,” Georgie, his daughter, told the B&R.

“He cared about Maret very deeply, and always said how much he laughed with her.

“He also had a beagle called Bertie, who misses him very much.”

Patrick was an accomplished journalist with a long and varied career in the industry. 

He graduated from the London School of Economics, where he studied in history, but soon turned his hand to journalism.

Before becoming editor of the B&R in 2016, a post he held for almost three years, he had worked in many newsrooms, including at The Herald in Plymouth for more than 11 years.

Patrick’s journalism was also appreciated nationally. During his career he worked as a freelance sub-editor on several national newspapers, including The Daily Telegraph, The Sunday Times, The Times, The Independent, Daily Express and The Sun. 

At the time of his death, he was sub-editing for News UK. 

Outside of work, Patrick had a lifelong passion for cycling. He was an avid watcher - and when he was younger, a spectator - of the Tour de France. He loved to cycle along the Brecon Beacons. His family say it gives them great comfort that he did exactly this on the day he passed away. 

Patrick also loved running, baking - which he took up only recently - and writing. On the latter, in addition to his career as a journalist, he self published two books - a novel about a football team - which he wrote in eight days - and a book on the history of marathon running.

One of Patrick’s other hobbies he loved was photography. Always with a camera in hand, Patrick had countless photos published in local and national publications - especially shots of the Brecon Beacons.

Patrick supported Liverpool FC since childhood, as has his son, Billy.

Billy now works in football and attributes his career to his dad's influence as a child. His daughter Georgie works in media/politics and equally attributes this to the fact her dad was never without a newspaper, and BBC News was constantly on in the house when she was growing up.

When he was 26, while working for Devon-based Pulman’s Weekly News, Patrick completed a charity cycle ride from Land's End to John O' Groats.

Through his efforts, he raised just under £1,000 for Devon Air Ambulance Trust.

Paying tribute to Patrick, former B&R colleague Twm Owen said: “Professionally I will remember Pat as a very encouraging editor who showed a lot of faith in me personally and, who, when he took over at the B&R in autumn 2016, was full of praise for the paper as it was, so I think for the whole team that felt like a vote of confidence in what we'd already been doing.

“Pat had a really good sense of humour, a bit dry and he was also a very interesting person with a wide range of interests who could discuss all manner of topics from politics to sport and photography and life in general.

“It was also obvious what a proud father he was, as he'd talk about his son and daughter and their achievements and the progress they were making with his son working in Spain, following his interest in football, and his daughter who was politically active.”

If you knew Patrick and would like to pay your respects, or would like to attend his remembrance service in the summer, please get in contact with his daughter Georgie at [email protected]