Mr. Hickford awaits the views of his public

Possibly the slimiest groveller in C-Ps, Hickford has two distinct roles. He is first introduced to us as a functionary of the Sports and Social Club, following the weekly wage packets round the building with his inevitable subscription. Not long after we learn that he is the editor of the House Journal (of which more below). His relationship with Bristow is beautifully summed up in strip 2024 and developed strip 2190.

Hickford fancies himself as an editor. He is gloomy when a national newspaper closes "Its always sad to see the end of a rival". Most of the staff ignore the journal. Bristow delights in pouring scorn on it and in poking fun at Hickford’s pretensions. Alone amongst the staff he looks forward to receiving the journal - the shiny paper makes excellent paper aeroplanes. 

Undaunted by criticism Hickford carries on. He does this thankless task for one reason - to curry favour with the directors through shameless flattery in the hope of promotion. And the strategy pays off at least once - as Jones and Bristow discover strip 2519. No wonder that Hickford is content to walk round the building, dishing out the latest edition whilst eagerly awaiting comments and shows a remarkable fortitude in the face of the bitterest sarcasm. This is a typical example: -

Hickford to Bristow: What do you think about the current edition?
Bristow : Rubbish. 
Hickford: Win some, lose some
he moves to next desk and asks again
Jones : Pathetic
Hickford: Some you win, some you lose
he moves on and asks again
Dimkins : Puerile nonsense
Hickford: Win a few, lose a few
he moves on and asks again
Atkins: Tripe
Hickford: Can't win 'em all
etc, etc.
strip 4831 February 1977

Actually Hickford's promotion - apparently as Head of his department, makes no difference to his editorial position, his work for the Sports and Social Club or Bristow's opinion of him.

Hickford is not just editing as part of his job - its is life's work, his vocation. As he unwisely reveals to some disdainful buying clerks in a weak moment strip 5619

Of course it is Hickford who must organise the dreaded Sports and Social Club Annual Christmas Dinner & Dance, strip 2641 and other events during the year. As ever, his efforts do not impress Bristow strip 4490.

In April 2001 Hickford's home life comes under the spotlight. His wife forces him to choose between continuing as editor of the House Journal and continuing with his marriage. There is no contest. His marriage disintegrates and Hickford carries on editing. This sequence, published only on Frank Dicken's website, is rather sad. But it is soon forgotten as Bristow continues to deride each "bumper" issue (although he seems quite taken with the youth-orientated features on skateboarding and gangsta rap in October 2003).

The House Journal

The Chester-Perry House Journal is the one magazine that all the clerks read. Except for Bristow who usually dumps his straight into the waste paper basket, once he has ripped out some pages for model aeroplanes and blacked in the eyes and teeth on photos of Sir Reginald.

The House Journal appears quarterly and mainly carries grovelling articles about Sir Reginald or anodyne space-filling material such as how to look after your window box. It is clearly supported by Management since Hickford, the editor, is often able to indulge his whims such as printing on high quality paper. And clearly, important articles on how to make mince pies or decorate Easter bonnets do not come cheap. On the other hand, not a lot of thought seems to have gone into the special report on the 10 Best-Dressed men in C-Ps (no.1 - Sir Reginald, no. 2 - Robin Chester-Perry, etc)

The House journal is popular with the tramps in the park, who value the warmth of its pages when spread over them at night, and it reaches a cult status when it publishes pictures of the Lady Chief Buyer (aka Barbidoll).

It even has its festive uses strip 10601.

Surprisingly, there was a time when Bristow was keen to write for the Journal. He himself withdrew the Lords of the Manor story from publication, fearing reprisals. Later on he was happy to submit searing denunciations of management, only to find that they were not exactly what Hickford had in mind strip 3793

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