NEWSPAPER columnist Neil Haverson will be in Dereham on Friday as the Friends of St Nicholas Church Dereham restart their series entitled Talking with Friends.

NEWSPAPER columnist Neil Haverson will be in Dereham on Friday as the Friends of St Nicholas Church Dereham restart their series entitled Talking with Friends.

Neil, a popular columnist with the Times's sister paper the Eastern Daily Press, and editorial writer for the magazine Let's Talk! will be talking about his career in regional journalism and the history of the EDP.

Neil has worked for the Eastern Daily Press for over 30 years, and since 1990 has become well known for the idiosyncratic humour of his column on life in the household known as 'Fortress H'. In 2002 the monthly consumer magazine for Norfolk, Let's Talk ! was launched and Neil has been involved full-time on the editorial side, as well as being responsible for book spin-offs such as Let's Talk! Schooldays (2005).

The talk will be at Dereham Meeting Point (7 for 7.30pm), tickets cost �5 (including refreshments) and can be bought in advance from Alex Noel-Tod on 01362 695943, or at the Parish Office, or on the door.

The other speakers in the 2009 series will be the local historian and writer Neil Storey on March 27, and the former MP for South West Norfolk, Baroness Shephard on April 24.