Frank moved to Bedford in 1968 and worked as a journalist in the town for many years, first as a reporter at the Bedfordshire Times and then as the owner of the award-winning Local Sunday Newspapers group. He launched Bedfordshire on Sunday in 1976 and the eventually owned titles covering the whole county, as well as Milton Keynes and parts of Hertfordshire. He was named Provincial Journalist of the Year at the National Press Awards in 1973 and Free Newspaper Journalist of the Year in 1983. He was also the author of two crime novels, An Up and Coming Man and Sergeant Ritchie’s Conscience.
He successfully ran the newspaper group until he sold it in 2005, having become Bedford’s first fully elected Mayor three years previously. He was elected for a second term in 2007 but died suddenly in 2009, at the age of 70, leaving behind an incredible legacy.
Through his work as a newspaper proprietor and later as mayor, Frank gave voice to and supported many local organisations. The Frank Branston Charitable Trust was set up by his family to continue supporting the Bedfordshire community he cared so much about.
Frank Branston colour image (right) courtesy of Charlie Wooding Photography
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