Meet the reporter: Alex Haynes joins the North Devon Gazette team

Hello North Devon!

My name is Alex Haynes, and I am the latest reporter to join the North Devon Gazette.

I was born and raised in Plymouth, but I have ties to the local area, as my great-grandparents lived in Ilfracombe. My mum would often visit with my grandparents, and it still holds a very special place in her heart. 

Whenever I have visited places like Ilfracombe and Barnstaple myself, I have noticed a strong sense of community. The people are friendly and clearly look out for each other. 

North Devon is resilient and beautiful, and there is real pride, not just in the scenery, but in the people and places that make it. 

After spending many years working in the catering industry, I decided that I needed a change. I wanted to follow my passion and do something difficult that I felt was worthwhile. 

I am passionate about sport, and as a child, I would read Chris Errington’s articles about Plymouth Argyle in The Herald. I would then spend time reading the news and thinking about how I would love to write and tell stories myself one day.

I was always fascinated by people, each one with their own story. I needed to know what was going on in the world, especially in my local area, so I decided to leave the kitchen and pursue a career in journalism. 

After being accepted into Plymouth Marjon University to study journalism, I instantly knew I had made the right decision. I learnt so much while on the course, and I achieved more than I thought I was ever capable of achieving. 

It felt like a leap of faith, completely into the unknown, but I am so happy I made the choice to become a journalist. 

In the words of George Addair: “Everything you’ve ever wanted is on the other side of fear.”

From the very beginning, my goal was to report honestly on the things that matter to the community, and focus on the heart of what makes a great story - people like you. This hasn’t changed, and it’s what drives me every day. 

I am not interested nor moved by sensationalism, and I will always endeavour to bring you well-researched, thorough journalism. I feel lucky to be part of Devon, and luckier still that the North Devon Gazette have chosen me to help represent this wonderful place. 

I am excited to learn much more about North Devon, and I am already looking forward to visiting as much as I can to get to know the community and report on stories on the ground about the things that are important to you. 

Thank you for reading, and I hope to hear from you soon! 

Alex