Accrington Observer

[WillowTheWhisp]

Lampman - do you know who the young woman is holding the flowers?

[WillowTheWhisp]

Thank you PCPlod3487. Whatever you did brought my post into the world of visibility for me

[Lampman]

Afraid you have me there Willow',I seem to recall that the Observer had some girls working in the Comp room after my departure,but there again the girl may be a journalist seeing it was an editorial presentation.Just spotted Richard Crossley lurking in the background, later the last family owner.

[Observer]

Atarah is mostly correct - except that the Oberver was not struggling at all when the decision to sell to the Guardian Media Group was made. The business reaped the benefits from the investments made in more modern computerised typesetting technology in the 1980s and was making a healthy profit when the sale was concluded in 1989.
There were a number of reasons for the sale principal amongst them being an extremely attractive offer from the Guardian and the then owners' recognition that Accrington's best days were probably behind them.
Incidentally, I have the original memorandum of sale document recording the purchase of the business by Richard S Crossley from George Toulmin.

[Neil]

Is this an official Observer rep posting.

[garinda]

Originally Posted by Observer

Accrington's best days were probably behind them.

That's quite a sweeping statement.

What as, a town, or as somewhere with an independently run newpaper of it's own?

[Debbie J]

Originally Posted by pendy

I still have the photograph that old Mr Dawson (Garth's father) took of me on my third birthday, and a story goes with it .... feed me beer, and I may tell you!

I too have a number of pictures taken by Garth Dawson. Mainly on 'walking days' but I have one of my brother and me at the Blackpool bus stop on Melbourne street. We were waiting to go on holiday and he just appeared with his camera in his hand & asked to take a photo of us for the Observor

[Gayle]

My uncle Billy Piper used to work for the Observer around 25/30 years ago. Everytime they had a story and they needed a photo of a young teenage girl to illustrate it he'd be round to photograph me. Once I remember being taken to Haworth Art Gallery and holding a brochure standing next to some Tiffany Glass - think it must have been when all the Tiffany Glass was put back on display.

He's now the Editor of the Daily Mail in Scotland.

[Mellitus]

Originally Posted by pendy

I am pretty sure Leo was an only child - I know he was the only son. The Holy Family Mr Hughes might have been a cousin, or something, but there are quite a lot of Hugheses about.

Re- Leo Hughes
Leo was my uncle. His mum and dad were my grandparents- Joseph and Lucy-who had the undertakers.
Uncle Leo was one of 5 children. Oswald -died in his twenties I think, Kathleen - became a Benedictine nun at the age of 16 and died about 7 yrs ago, Tony- who was the woodwork teacher at Holy family and then my mum- Sheila Claire (Banks),
We lived in Africa for a while- but he was a very interesting man - he had been a monk at Buckfast Abbey in his youth. He also worked at Bletchley Park.
Sorry- couldn't resist joining this group just to clarify matters.

[Lampman]

Well that is interesting Mellitus,they say still waters run deep and this must have been the case with Leo!

[Barrie Yates]

Originally Posted by Atarah

Hi Mr Lampman and members, have been given permission today from Mr Garth Dawson to show this photo - taken in 1979. I bet you are on this piccy!!!!

This photo was taken in the composing room to mark 50 years service by Mr Frank Kitchener, editor from 1964-1979. To his left and right are Mr Rowland Joynson and Mr Harry Crossley.

Hope you enjoy this

I hadn't seen this thread before today - it certainly brought back memories as I new Frank Kitchener - he was the Sports Writer (Jason) in those days and his son Keith and I were the best of friends - early '50s.
We remained friends into the '70s - none memorable Summer Ball at RAF West Drayton. Sadly lost touch as time passed and we travelled even further afield.

[bygum]

Is this Pat Crossley wife to Bill if so can you pass me there email address lost contact with them.

P Welsh.

Originally Posted by pendy

I was at school with Pat Crossley - still in touch.

Does anybody remember Arnold? - He was a great guy, lived in Burnley Road, had worked on Fleet Street, but he upgraded to the Accy Observer. He was a great character and excellent company, whether in the pub or dragging people home to play chess with him. I have happy memories of listening to Thelonius Monk in his front room ...

[Lampman]

I have added some staff names(those I know and remember) to the earlier photograph of Frank Kitchener's retirement presentation.