Another regional press stalwart has become a ‘half-centurion’ after 50 years of taking photos for a Cheshire weekly newspaper.

Gerry Henshall, left, joined what was the County Express 50 years ago and has stayed loyal to the title ever since.

Now called the Macclesfield Express, it has kept Gerry in gainful employment since he joined the paper straight from school as a keen 15-year-old.

The job advert called for applications from pupils at one particular local school, which Gerry didn’t even attend, but he applied anyway and has been part of the team since.

The Macclesfield Express got in touch with HoldtheFrontPage after we told the story of Margaret Watson – another member of the ’50 Club’ after serving five decades with the Dewsbury Reporter.

Gerry, 65, said: “It has been a real rollercoaster but something I never want to give up.

“Obviously, there comes a time for everyone when they have to stop.

“I calculated it and I have worked for 13,000 days. Every day is an interesting day, every day is different.

“It’s what makes this a fantastic job and the job I’ve always wanted.

“People are asking me when I’m retiring but in my mind I’m planning to do another five years.”

Gerry’s landmark achievement will be marked in the paper in the comings week with pages of pictures, both of him over the years and some of the shots he has taken for work.

On his birthday he received a complimentary letter from Macclesfield MP Sir Nicholas Winterton thanking him for his service to the town.

Gerry, chief photographer for 32 of his 50 years, can count the Royal Family, The Beatles and The Bee Gees among those to have passed before his lens during his career.

But unlike many photographers who trained in a dark room, he doesn’t pine for the ‘good old days’.

“I absolutely love the digital age of photography,” Gerry added.

“I wouldn’t want to go back to the way it was and I think better things are to come.”

Comments

Philip Derbyshire (21/07/2008 13:57:41)
Many congratulations to Gerry! His help and advice were invaluable when I started as a raw trainee reporter on the Express in 1975. His sense of humour also helped in a newsroom that was a little on the unusual, to say the least.

Richard Holton (06/10/2008 18:45:50)
During my time on the Macclesfield Messenger in the late eighties, Gerry was the only photographer to shoot football in a suit!
Many congratulations and best wishes.

Alan Hayes (03/02/2010 16:26:19)
Happy retirement Gerry. Fond memories of cadging a lift out to jobs in the lanes and villages around Macc as a junior reporter in the late 1980s. You’re were – and still are – a Macclesfield legend. ALAN HAYES