A regional press photographer who spent more than 40 years working for the Grimsby Telegraph has retired.

Dave Tilley, (60), joined the Telegraph in 1959 as a proof reader, and the following year became a junior photographer.

Since then he has photographed many well-known public figures, including politicians Harold Wilson, Margaret Thatcher and John Major.

He has also captured the Queen on film, firstly on her visit to Grimsby during her Silver Jubilee year in 1977, and again when she opened the Humber Bridge in 1981 and on her visit to Scunthorpe last year.

Dave said: “I have found it an interesting life.

“I consider myself fortunate to have had a job for all these years that I have enjoyed doing. I think it counts for a lot.

“I could never imagine myself working at a desk or in a factory – it’s not me. It is a great job – it has been wonderful.”

He has also been able to indulge his passion for military history during his career.

He attended the last Armistice Day ceremony of the 20th Century at the Mennen Gate, Belgium, as well as covering the Normandy Veterans’ anniversary and the parachute regiments’ reunion in Arnhem, Holland.

Dave said: “I am interested in military history so a lot of my good memories of the job are associated with that sort of thing.

“The job isn’t just about taking pictures, it is the people you meet who make the pictures, the people you talk to, the things they tell you.”

Like any photographer who has worked for the Grimsby Telegraph, Dave has had to cover his fair share of Town matches, following the fortunes of the Mariners.

One particularly memorable match for Dave was a winter game against Doncaster Rovers, when he and a fellow photographer tried to get a cup of tea to warm them up at half-time.

Dave said: “The steward wouldn’t let us down the tunnel to get something to drink.

“A little guy with a cigar – the chairman of the club – said we could go down, but it was too late because the match was starting.

“The chairman must have had a sense of humour, because he sent a man around to us with a tray with china cups and saucers, a milk jug and biscuits and served us on the touch line in front of this crowd of baying yobs. It was quite embarrassing.”

After more than 40 years at the Grimsby Telegraph, Dave transferred to its sister title, the Scunthorpe Telegraph, where he has worked for the past two-and-a-half years.

And he is now looking forward to spending his retirement with his wife, Liz.

The couple are hoping to enjoy more holidays, including visiting Las Vegas and Singapore, and Dave also plans to spend more time playing golf.

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