Press photographer John Hocknell has been honoured for his work with a civic reception and public exhibition on his stamping ground in West Norfolk.

The Eastern Daily Press man turned up for a routine diary job at King’s Lynn Town Hall to take photos of an exhibition … which turned out to be hundreds of his own photos. Fifty of his friends, Archant colleagues, and relatives were there waiting for him.

Lisa Powell and Linda Bunting had scoured the archives for some of his finest moments over a long career capturing the people and places of West Norfolk on film.

The centerpiece was his most famous image – a shy youngster holding her pet guinea pig at the Sandringham Show.

Of course, that girl was Lady Diana Spencer, and the picture went on to become a favourite of her fans around around the world.

Two weeks earlier John was honoured at his very own civic reception, where West Norfolk mayor Michael Langwade described the way John had played such an important community role and how he would be greatly missed after his retirement later this month.

John, (64), who has spent the last 34 years recording events in the area, said: “I’ve been here in Lynn 34 years and that’s a hell of a long time, and sometimes people ask me why I never went anywhere else. But I love taking pictures in West Norfolk.

“It’s a beautiful part of the county and the country as a whole and it’s been a real privilege to be on the photographic team in King’s Lynn.”

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