The end of an era

A lot of my friends have been leaving The Times recently.

John Mair is a lovely Scotsman who formerly edited the International edition.

Also, receiving a speech from Times Editor James Harding was Barney from Business News.

After speeches and cheers there is a very moving newspaper ritual called Banging Out. This is where everyone present bangs their desk as noisily as possibly as the departing journalist leaves the building. The tradition goes back to the days of the press hall, when journalists and print workers worked in the same building. When an employee left, printers would grab any handy metal object and bang it against the presses.

Nowadays The Times editorial offices are in Wapping and the nearest presses in Enfield.