Subject: Triumph World Editor Sacked
27th March 2007 For Immediate Publication
To all fellow Standard-Triumph enthusiasts:
I have today received a letter from Kelsey Publishing informing me that my services as Editor of Triumph World magazine are no longer required. I was given no reason for this decision.
Shortly after I found out about the sale of Triumph World, Clive Househam (managing director of CHPublications, the previous owners) told me that Kelsey Publishing had needed some persuading to keep me on as Editor – it is now obvious that my fate was already sealed once the deal went through.
At the time, I genuinely believed that the acquisition of Triumph World by Kelsey Publishing would be a good thing for the magazine, but it soon became apparent that my experience and opinions counted for nothing and I was expected just to do as I was told.
My frustration and disappointment came to head when my editorial in the February/March 2007 issue (No. 72) was censored without any consultation. In the piece concerned I merely tried to thank the people who had been unceremoniously dumped after contributing so much to the magazine over the years – Robin Penrice, Ted Connolly, Debbie Perks, Peter Entwistle and Steve Welsh – but this was deemed to be 'too negative'.
Despite this, I was determined to carry on as normal, doing the best I could for Triumph World. Then the bombshell arrived in today's post. After consulting with my wife and family, I have decided not to work out three month's notice. Therefore, the May 2007 issue will be my last.
I am extremely proud of Triumph World magazine and everything the publication has achieved since that very first issue of April/May 1995, and I will cherish many fond memories of the time I have spent as Editor – they were 12 of the happiest and most satisfying years of my working life. I have made a lot of good friends in the Triumph movement and I intend to keep in touch with them and also plan to visit as many events as I can.
Triumph World belongs to Kelsey Publishing and it is up to them what happens to the magazine in the future. I hope it is successful and continues to be so for many years – I am just sad that I will no longer be a part of it.
Yours sincerely
Tony Beadle
