When Graham McKenzie first approached me about setting up the Copyboys blog to give old hacks a place to be anecdotal, I had no idea it would turn out, on its good days, to be the most entertaining reading available to us. Who of us hasn't tossed aside a newspaper in disgust at its bling colours and bling news and thought, "I'll log on to Mr. Hack and see who is saying what, today."
As we reach our centenary Mr. Hack, I think we should be grateful for our President's vision, inspiration and occasional chastisements to keep the blog as relevant and as friendly as it is. A home for the nostalgia, jests and a little social history from time to time. From my point of view it was a breeze. First Graham and later John Caruth, coped with all the technicalities and anything that looked like work. And I got to be a passenger with a title. What's not to love?
Although a large part of the McKenzie career was spent in radio, TV, PR and other outlets, his first love was ever newsprint. Never met a man who loved newspapers more. He and I are unlikely friends. Graham has many qualities but I don't think suffering fools gladly was ever one of them. He has a passion for precision and pinpoint accuracy in reporting and in language. Myself, I have rarely hesitated to toss away the precise word and replace it with one I can spell. Yet I cannot recall us ever having a row in the 50 odd years I've known him. Our President should be very proud of this blog he created. I know I am and hope more of you will feel moved to contribute your anecdotes, updates, memories and even fantasies if the mood takes you. Copyboys feels more like a family every day. And we are very fortunate in our Daddy.
Chairman Billy Simpson
*To mark the event, we have used pictures from our archives, possibly never published by any known newspaper in the world, but all featuring our President in good company ... the likes of Billy Simpson, Bobby Templeton, Rowel Friers, Jim Gray, Roy Lilley and Malcolm Brodie
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