With the publication of the final print edition of Searchlight, the magazine’s founder and often-times editor, Gerry Gable, has announced that he is stepping back from running the magazine.
The final issue, a huge 72-page look back over the magazine’s history and achievements, comes shortly after Gerry’s 88th birthday, and in it he writes that:
“When I sat down with a couple of former 62 group leaders in 1975 to discuss possibly relaunching Searchlight, the anti-fascist newspaper we had published in the mid-60s, I had no idea that it would set a course for me for the rest of my life…
“…having recently celebrated my 88th birthday, I intend now to take a bit of a back seat and leave the day to day running of the magazine in the hands of the very capable editorial committee which has been taking some of the burden and pressure off me for the last two years or more.
“…They are, if truth be told, much more suited to the future which we have charted for Searchlight, being more at home in the world of social media and the like than I ever would be. As such, they will steer our work increasing into the digital universe where already it is having an impact that, frankly, I have been amazed by.”
In recognition of his extraordinary work over the decades he has been declared by the team who will carry on the work online to be Searchlight’s ‘Editor Emeritus’. He will also remain Honorary Chair of the Editorial Committee.
This would offer followers the opportunity to post tributes and good wishes.
You can read his valedictory editorial here: