Allan Hall
Encyclopedia
Allan Hall was a British
journalist
.
Born in Hemsworth
, Hall began his career in journalism with the Newcastle Journal, but soon moved to London. By the age of 27 he became editor of the Sunday Graphic
for a year, then in 1959 became managing editor of the News Chronicle
. In 1960, both papers closed, and Hall began writing a gossip column for the Daily Herald.
Hall remained a columnist as the Herald became The Sun
, but left in 1969 when Rupert Murdoch
bought the paper. He joined the Sunday Times, where he launched a lifestyle section before taking over the "Atticus" diary column. Having long had an interest in wine, being known for spending long lunches in the Connaught Rooms, he convinced editor Harold Evans
to launch the Sunday Times Wine Club. By now writing regularly about wine, Hall decided in 1972 to organise an annual race to bring Beaujolais Nouveau
to Britain. This race, which became a reality in 1974, was later replicated in other countries, and by the 1980s attracted widespread interest.
In 1980, Hall moved to work for James Goldsmith
's magazine NOW!
, during which time he hosted a lunch at which fine wines were served. For this one meal he claimed, and was paid, expenses of more than £11,000. The magazine closed the following year, after which Hall retired to Suffolk
, selling wine and offering tasting sessions. He continued writing about wine on a freelance basis, and organised wine tours of France.
British people
The British are citizens of the United Kingdom, of the Isle of Man, any of the Channel Islands, or of any of the British overseas territories, and their descendants...
journalist
Journalist
A journalist collects and distributes news and other information. A journalist's work is referred to as journalism.A reporter is a type of journalist who researchs, writes, and reports on information to be presented in mass media, including print media , electronic media , and digital media A...
.
Born in Hemsworth
Hemsworth
Hemsworth is a small town and civil parish on the edge of West Yorkshire, England. It forms part of the City of Wakefield, and has a population of 13,311....
, Hall began his career in journalism with the Newcastle Journal, but soon moved to London. By the age of 27 he became editor of the Sunday Graphic
Sunday Graphic
The Sunday Graphic was an English tabloid newspaper published in Fleet Street.The newspaper was founded in 1915 as the Sunday Herald and was later renamed the Illustrated Sunday Herald. In 1927 it changed its name to the Sunday Graphic, becoming the sister paper of the Daily Graphic. In 1931 it...
for a year, then in 1959 became managing editor of the News Chronicle
News Chronicle
The News Chronicle was a British daily newspaper. It ceased publication on 17 October 1960, being absorbed into the Daily Mail. Its offices were in Bouverie Street, off Fleet Street, London, EC4Y 8DP, England.-Daily Chronicle:...
. In 1960, both papers closed, and Hall began writing a gossip column for the Daily Herald.
Hall remained a columnist as the Herald became The Sun
The Sun (newspaper)
The Sun is a daily national tabloid newspaper published in the United Kingdom and owned by News Corporation. Sister editions are published in Glasgow and Dublin...
, but left in 1969 when Rupert Murdoch
Rupert Murdoch
Keith Rupert Murdoch, AC, KSG is an Australian-American business magnate. He is the founder and Chairman and CEO of , the world's second-largest media conglomerate....
bought the paper. He joined the Sunday Times, where he launched a lifestyle section before taking over the "Atticus" diary column. Having long had an interest in wine, being known for spending long lunches in the Connaught Rooms, he convinced editor Harold Evans
Harold Evans
Sir Harold Matthew Evans is a British-born journalist and writer who was editor of The Sunday Times from 1967 to 1981. He has written various books on history and journalism...
to launch the Sunday Times Wine Club. By now writing regularly about wine, Hall decided in 1972 to organise an annual race to bring Beaujolais Nouveau
Beaujolais nouveau
Beaujolais nouveau is a red wine made from Gamay grapes produced in the Beaujolais region of France. It is the most popular vin de primeur, fermented for just a few weeks before being released for sale on the third Thursday of November...
to Britain. This race, which became a reality in 1974, was later replicated in other countries, and by the 1980s attracted widespread interest.
In 1980, Hall moved to work for James Goldsmith
James Goldsmith
Sir James Michael "Jimmy" Goldsmith was an Anglo-French billionaire financier and tycoon. Towards the end of his life, he became a magazine publisher and a politician. In 1994, he was elected to represent France as a Member of the European Parliament and he subsequently founded the short-lived...
's magazine NOW!
NOW! (1979-81 magazine)
NOW! was a British newsmagazine founded by entrepreneur Sir James Goldsmith, partly as a vehicle for his right-wing political opinions.It was established in 1979, taking advantage of the market opportunity created by the closure of The Times and The Sunday Times during a labour dispute...
, during which time he hosted a lunch at which fine wines were served. For this one meal he claimed, and was paid, expenses of more than £11,000. The magazine closed the following year, after which Hall retired to Suffolk
Suffolk
Suffolk is a non-metropolitan county of historic origin in East Anglia, England. It has borders with Norfolk to the north, Cambridgeshire to the west and Essex to the south. The North Sea lies to the east...
, selling wine and offering tasting sessions. He continued writing about wine on a freelance basis, and organised wine tours of France.