Former Observer editor celebrates 90th birthday
The Chichester Observer today congratulates former editor Graham Brooks on the occasion of his 90th birthday.
Current editor Gary Shipton said that with so much gloomy lockdown news dominating the headlines, the paper wanted to celebrate this special birthday of a predecessor of whom the whole editorial team and community was justifiably proud.
Graham was appointed editor of the Observer series in 1961 and later group editor of the weekly papers – the Observers, West Sussex Gazette, Petersfield Post, Hampshire Telegraph and Post – from 1972-1992.
He was made a MBE for services to journalism in 1993 and received a Chichester City Council Civic Award for services to the community in 1992.
Graham and his wife Kay will celebrate their 69th wedding anniversary in August. On Graham’s appointment to the editorship of the Observer series, the couple moved to the East Broyle estate in Chichester where they have lived ever since.
Graham is renowned in the newspaper industry for his high standards and accurate reporting and that his newspapers reflected the readers which they served. He was respected by staff in all departments of the Observer for his fairness and approachability.
As well as his prominent role in city life through his work, Graham has also found time to become involved in a number of organisations, including Chichester Area Talking News, of which he was a founder member and twice chairman. Among his community achievements, he was founder member and chairman of Bognor
Regis Swimming Club, from 1965-1978, and chairman of Bognor Regis Round Table from 1967-68.
He was chairman of Chichester Lawn Tennis and Squash Club from 1981-83, founder member of Chichester Jazz Club and founder member of Chichester Keats Luncheon Club in 1991 and secretary for 20 years.
Chairman of Chichester Area Talking News (CATN) Richard Bunker said: “Graham, now one of our vice-presidents, has been a key figure in founding, developing and leading CATN over many years. He has made a huge impact. He and Kay continue to be strong supporters and are held in great affection by us all.
“Chichester Area Talking News, run entirely by volunteers, records and broadcasts local news for 400 blind and visually impaired listeners every fortnight, mainly from the three editions of the Observer, in Chichester, Bognor Regis, Midhurst and Petworth and surrounding areas. Our programmes have continued throughout the pandemic ‘online’, recorded from our homes rather than our studio. They are available free on our website: www.catn.org.uk.”
Graham celebrated his milestone birthday at home with his wife and family, including son, Nigel, who is a recording engineer with CATN, and his wife, Susie.
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