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Group editor to retire after 44 years with same paper

A group editor who has led the same weekly title for 36 years will retire from the role next month.

Tony Allcock, left, has spent 44 years with Archant London’s North London Newspapers series of weekly titles but has decided it is the right time for him to step down.

He joined the Islington Gazette as a trainee reporter in 1966 and has now spent 36 years as editor of the paper, with a surprise party being held in 2006 to celebrate his 40 years working there.

Tony, who is based at Archant London’s Swiss Cottage office, has also led the Camden Gazette and the Hornsey Journal series of titles since 1992 when he was appointed group editor of North London Newspapers.

He said: “I have had a fantastic time and worked with some great people over the years.

“I would like to thank all my colleagues for their efforts and helping to make my job easier.

“I would like to thank Archant for giving me the opportunity to leave at what I feel is the right moment. I wish all my colleagues and the company sustained success in the future.”

Tony, who leaves the company at the end of March, is now looking forward to taking a well-earned rest and spending more time with his family.

Archant London editorial director Bob Crawley, said: “Tony has had a truly remarkable career, particularly working on, and then editing, the Islington Gazette for more than four decades.

“It is a career that is unlikely to ever be repeated. We thank him for his sterling service and wish him a well-earned rest.”

4 comments

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  • February 22, 2011 at 9:56 am
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    I worked with Tony on the Hornsey Journal in 2001 and he was always a complete gent, even putting up with my allegedly incomprehensible Scottish accent. Enjoy your retirement, Tony.

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  • February 22, 2011 at 10:55 am
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    Tony Allcock is a legend and deserves all the tributes he will get. Like dozens of other reporters I got the best start possible on the great Islington Gazette under his leadeship. Always calm, cool and with a brilliant news sense, the industry will be poorer without him. Have a good one, Tony.

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  • February 22, 2011 at 11:28 am
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    Ahem. Leadership. He also taught me to check all my copy before sending…

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  • February 22, 2011 at 3:15 pm
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    My old mental arithmetic know-how (pre-abacus) is failing. Does the headline match thee story? 44 years with same paper; 36 years with same weekly title; 44 years with same group. What would my old chum Pythagoras say?

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