They say a day in news is a long time – but try telling that to long serving Dorset Echo reporter David Swain – who has 40 years’ service.

The 56-year-old stalwart was one of 13 dedicated members of staff who received service awards from in a ceremony held at the paper’s head office on the Granby Industrial Estate, Weymouth.

Between them, the long-serving Echo employees had clocked up a total of 310 years’ service.

David, currently a sports reporter, started work at the Echo aged 16 as a school-leaver.

He began as a copy boy at the paper’s old base in St Thomas Street, Weymouth, on September 11, 1961.

“Back then my job entailed running errands and making tea for the sub editors!” he said.

“Things have changed a lot over the years, although the main one is probably the faster speed of communication nowadays.”

After a short time David, who lives in Dorchester with wife Carol, was then offered a job as a junior reporter before he later moved to the Echo’s Dorchester office as district chief reporter, where he doubled up as the sports reporter for the Dorchester area.

Career highlights include covering various royal visits to the county town and reporting on a couple of the Magpies’ epic FA Cup runs.

David said he had the chance to leave for new pastures on a number of occasions but a love of the area has kept him firmly where he is.

He said: “I suppose if I had gone to university when I was younger I may have felt more inclined to move away but I really enjoy doing what I do, both in and out of work.”

Other members of staff who received either £200 or a clock included reporters Harry Walton, who has been at the Echo since March 1980; Phil Ryan, with 20 years’ service; and photographer Geoff Moore, who started his career back in February 1981.

Other editorial staff rewarded were Steve Clemmens and Terry Collin (both 24 years), Sara Phelan (23 years) and Nigel Dean (22 years).

Phil Garrett, a familiar face in the Weymouth town centre front office, has spent 22 years at the Echo, while pre-press staff Ron Paterson (24 years), Gary Stote (23 years) and Clare Fox and Andy Coaker (both 22 years) were also acknowledged.

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