By Lorelei Reddin

Southern Daily Echo – 28 August 2026

A highly regarded Southern Daily Echo journalist has this week retired after nearly 50 years in the profession. Chief reporter Chris Yandell is putting down his shorthand notepad having met The King, and covered everything from the arrest of controversial former footballer Bruce Grobbelaar in Lymington on match fixing allegations to the hard-hitting trial of Henry Nowak killer Vickrum Digwa.

68-year-old Chris, who lives in the New Forest, became a journalist in 1977. He joined the Southern Daily Echo in 1994, having previously worked at the Gosport office of the News in Portsmouth, and has been specialising in court cases, major planning applications and issues affecting the New Forest ever since.

His byline first appeared in the Daily Echo back in August 1994 when he covered the desecration of several graves in a Ringwood cemetery. Southern Daily Echo Editor Ben Fishwick praised Chris for his unflappable demeanour, crisp copy and his ability to

“take no prisoners in pursuit of a story”.

The pair were among a small delegation of Daily Echo journalists invited to Buckingham Palace to meet King Charles at a reception for regional media in 2025.

In his last of 49 years in the profession, Chris has showed no signs of slowing down. As well as the sentencing of Digwa, a major story worldwide, he covered the massive heathland blaze which closed the A31 for nearly two weeks.

New Forest East MP Sir Julian Lewis, who has worked with Chris on many stories over the years, paid his own tribute. He said:

“His record of service is both extraordinary and exemplary. His dedication and commitment to our area were formidable.

“Equally important was his independence of mind. It became clear to me over the years, that he formed his own views and took his own line, rather than lazily jumping onto any passing media bandwagon. As a politician who has occasionally had to dissent from Westminster orthodoxy, I found this independent streak in Chris to be as valuable as it is admirable.

“It truly marks the end of an era. Together with all who take an interest in the health of our community and the vibrancy of our local press, I salute his contribution and wish him a long and fulfilling retirement.”

During his retirement, Chris plans to spend more time walking in the Forest, exploring historic corners of London and visiting Paris.