TheCopyboys

Mr Hack No 71

NEW BOOK LAUNCHED IN BANGOR: Veteran hack Terence Bowman launched his new book of nostalgia of  Bangor memories at the town's Heritage Centre last night. Many hacks from yesteryear were present including ex-News Letter editor John Trew. The star attraction, however, was former Co. Down Spectator editor Annie Roycroft who had travelled from Cork to attend the evening's event. Watching the proceedings were contributors to the book Roy Shephard and Helen Greenaway with her daughter, Heather, who now works for the Sunday Mail and Mirror in Glasgow. Sadly there were a few absentees who also also contributed to he book; Bobby Templeton, former member of the Stormont Press corps, and Ric Clark, ex NewsLetter. Just to dot the i and cross the t, present also were Brian Orr, ex Belfast Telegraph and, of course, a former Co. Down Spectator sub editor, and Noel McAdam, also Belfast Telegraph.

MR HACK - No 70

"BELFAST TELEGRAPH" IN THE 50s - by Peter McMullan.

One piece of paper that eludes me just now is my original appointment letter from JES detailing my conditions of employment. This was the key to my very first job and I was six months short of my 20th birthday.

It was probably written in December 1954 and, from memory,I think my starting salary was in the region of three or four pounds weekly.

There were some other details that may amuse younger readers - those who came to the business in later years. That was an era when a pint of Youngers #3 cost 10p at the Club Bar, near Queen's, and a pint of porter was perhaps a penny cheaper.

You will recall, I am sure, that Guinness used to make both porter and stout which I seem to recall was sold in XX and XXX versions depending on the strength. It all went down very easily as it still does - in greater moderation I have to say.

As I write lots of old and happy BT memories keep coming to the fore, Bob Young and Stanley Phillips taking copy, Davy Adams' shrill voice and his tribe of Copyboys including the now esteemed Eddie McIlwaine...

...the old circular subs' desk before the move to the big, new room further down the hall, copy whizzing upstairs in compressed air tubes to be set, the sounds and smell of the composing room, always place of mystery to me at least...

...court reporting, usually at the to me fascinating daily Belfast Petty Sessions with Joe Sherlock, Eddie Sloan and one other ancient gent, his substantial girth held in place by a food and ash-stained waistcoat, the creaking lift we used each morning...

...amazing what's tucked away in the old brain, or what's left of it, after all these years.

MR HACK - No 69

BUDDY HOLLY AND THE CRICKETS?  No, it's Carl Anderson and the Cricket(er)s! This is the "Belfast Telegraph" cricket team in the 1970s.  Carl (fourth from right) was the captain, and pictured here are, from left: Des McCartan, Chris Harbinson, Jimmy Walker, Nevin McGhee, Carl Anderson, Peter Reeve (creed room), Neil Johnston and Martin Lindsay. Where are they all now?

MR HACK - No 68

MARTIN LINDSAY. We picture him as a tribute to his 47 years at the Belfast Telegraph, the last four as editor. All new editors like to make changes. What will Martin's successor Mike Gilson do?  What do you think he should do? A debate on this page is welcome. This is a precarious time for all newspapers, not just the Bel Tel. Please state your views. STOP PRESS - Exclusive - Pictures of Martin's farewell bash now in left-hand sidebar photo albums.(Click on each to enlarge full screen)

MR HACK 67

BILLY FLACKES: The late Billy Flackes ("WD Flackes" to those who didn't know him) was a well-known "Belfast Telegraph" journalist long before he joined BBC N. Ireland as political editor.  Here he is on the front page of  the Telegraph's cod in-house Christmas newspaper in 1957. The Russian had just launched the first satellite, or Sputnik as it was known, into space, and Billy was an enthusiast and wrote articles about the coming space race.

WHEN OUR PRESIDENT, GRAHAM McKENZIE CAME UP WITH THE IDEA OF THIS BLOG, IT WAS TO GIVE OLD RETIRED HACKS AN OPPORTUNITY TO KEEP IN TOUCH BUT MAINLY TO ENCOURAGE THEM TO WRITE DOWN SOME OF THEIR MEMORIES OF THEIR TIMES AND THE PEOPLE THEY MET AND WORKED WITH, TO CREATE A LITTLE PIECE OF SOCIAL HISTORY OF OUR TIMES AND REMINICENCES OF OLD FRIENDS AND COLLEAGUES. BUT OCCASIONALLY TO TAKE A HARD REPORTER'S EYEVIEW OF THE THORNS AS WELL AS THE ROSES DOWN MEMORY LANE. WE HOPE MORE OF YOU WILL CONTRIBUTE. WE KNOW MANY OF YOU READ THE BLOG BUT ALL OF YOU MUST HAVE A FUND OF STORIES AND ANECDOTES ABOUT THE GOOD OLD DAYS - OR BAD OLD DAYS. LETS HEAR THEM.

MR HACK - No. 66

WHERE'S EAMONN MALLIE? After we ran a picture of Wendy Austin last month a female member suggested a pin-up of Eamonn Mallie. But we can't find one. So if Eamonn or a friend is looking in perhaps they'd let us know if they have one. Meantime...

MR HACK - No 65

WENDY AUSTIN
We've been complaining about mistakes in the "Belfast Telegraph" and on BBC Northern Ireland.  Here's a journalist - Wendy Austin - who is an alumunus (sorry, alumna) of both organisations, and who seldom seems to put a foot wrong. Her broadcasting career is still going strong and we reckon she could teach some of today's wannabes a thing or two.  Wendy started her journalistic career on a weekly paper, the legendary East Antrim Times. (Photo: BBC Copyright)

Mr Hack 64

A New Mr. Hack today. The old one was getting a bit crowded and I am delighted to see so many of you contributing this past week.

Mr HACK 63

RECOGNISE ANY OF THE ASSEMBLED HACKS FROM THE NOT TOO DISTANT PAST WHEN A VETERAN NEWSMAN WAS GIVEN A FAREWELL GIFT AT HIS LEAVING DO? AGAIN IT IS FROM THE BELFAST TELEGRAPH. DON'T ANY OTHER NEWSPAPERS TAKE LEAVING PICS?

MR HACK 62

THIS PICTURE WAS TAKEN IN 1970. YOU WILL RECOGNISE MANY OF THE FACES OF OLD FRIENDS, SOME OF WHOM ARE SADLY NO LONGER WITH US. TRY IDENTIFYING THEM IF YOU CAN RECALL THE HAPPENINGS OF NEARLY 40 YEARS AGO.