THERE'S a 'new' hand at the helm of the Times newspaper with Carol Garbett taking over as general manager — a role held with distinction for many years by Lyn Roberts.

Lyn will continue her long association with the group, working with managing director Brian Doel.

Brought up in Plymouth, Carol for many years lived in Buckland Monachorum with her family. She left school to join Maison Terry in Drake Circus, where she qualified as a hairdresser. Balancing her family life with her career Carol has had a variety of jobs, including spells behind the counter at Burger King, Debenhams department store and a fish and chip shop.

Now aged 54, the mother of four describes herself as very much 'a people person' who enjoys communicating with others. For ten years she was a care worker, including a time at Red House residential home in Yelverton.

'I loved care work and I loved Red House. What I enjoyed most was the inter-action with the people. Of course, when you work with the elderly you do get close to them, how can you not when you care for them? Then suddenly they are gone. It was hard to distance myself sometimes but if I didn't care I would not have been doing my job, would I?'

From care work to selling advertising was a natural progression for Carol as communicating with people and listening to their needs is an area in which she feels comfortable.

'Although I never had any experience of publishing or selling advertising the reason I am here as general manager today is that someone was willing to give me a lucky break for which I am very grateful.'

That break was given by former Tavistock Gazette editor Vic Gardner and his daughter Kelly Johns on their 'Wildlife and Countryside' magazine, which was produced in Bere Alston. When the magazine ended Vic had no hesitation in recommending saleswoman Carol to the managing director of his former newspaper, Brian Doel.

Carol joined Tindle Newspapers in 2007 as a sales executive selling advertising for the Wharf magazine and the cars, holiday and pets and horses section of the Times.

She took over the sales feature section of the paper following the death of her colleague Sue (Penny) Pennington and became advertising manager in the summer of 2012.

When Lyn decided to semi-retire from her role as general manager at the Times, Carol succeed her earlier this year.

Carol said:?'What I like about this job is the challenge. You have to be driven, meeting targets and motivating yourself and the staff.'

Motivation of a different kind spurred Carol into action when her daughter-in-law was diagnosed with breast cancer. Carol decided to show her support by shaving off all her hair to raise money for breast cancer research — a picture of her completely shaven adorns the Times' office walls.

'It was a very humbling experience for me as people who didn't know me thought I was having chemotherapy. But whatever their reaction it just made me stronger. I knew my hair would grow back but those people suffering from cancer who really had chemo had no choice. I'm glad I did it and it raised money for such a worthwhile cause.'

Carol has taken over as general manager when newspapers find themselves under pressure financially, especially from digital media, but she is a woman determined to overcome future challenges to the role of a traditional local newspaper.

'Despite the economic times we have found ourselves in the Times newspapers are still very successful because, I feel, we have tried to play our part in the life of the community and retain our identity with its readers, which I am sure they appreciate.

'Of course we have to keep up with modern technological advances but it is so important to retain our unique character as a community newspaper.

'It is a privilege to lead the dedicated teams in all of the departments at the Tavistock and Okehampton Times.'