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Photographer calls time on 30-year newspaper career

A camper van and the chance to see the world awaits a photographer who has retired after 30 years in the local press.

Bernard White, left, from the Cornish Guardian, said it had been an honour to spend three decades capturing life in the southern county after taking his final pictures last week.

The 69-year-old said: “It’s been amazing to do the job for so long – I’ve seen and done so much, and it’s been great to have had a front row seat for news in Cornwall for that time.

“I have met a lot of people who I now consider good friends but the time has come to retire. I’ve bought a camper van and want to see the world.

“I’ll take a bit of time to tour England and now photography will be on the side as a hobby, rather than a mainstream job.”

Originally from Oldham, Bernard’s early career saw him working in engineering and he only developed an interest in photography as a hobby.

He took some photos for a friend’s wedding as a favour and then started occasional bookings. His first news picture arrived when he came across a road accident.

Bernard said: “I just happened to come across it and was first on the scene.

“I took a picture and sent it off to the Rochdale Observer. When they printed it I was delighted.

“You didn’t get a lot of money back then but seeing your picture with your name on it was a buzz.

“It wasn’t like it is now – I had to process it, print it, caption it, and deliver it by hand to the paper offices, and you got a real sense of achievement from that.”

From here Bernard went on to freelance for local papers including the Manchester Evening News before moving with his wife and young family to Newquay in 1965.

It was nine years later though that he started doing freelance work for the Cornish Guardian which eventually led to him taking on the role fulltime in 1978.

Bernard also took photos for the coastguard cliff rescue team which he served with for 18 years.

Remembering his most memorable picture (below), he said: “I was covering the Royal Cornwall Show in 1983 and as Princess Margaret went to pat a bull on the head it knelt down on one knee.

“When I took the picture it looked like she was knighting it.

“The picture went on the front page of the Cornish Guardian with a caption like ‘Arise Great Sire’. It was a really popular photo – just unique.”

Comments

Pat Nurse (03/11/2008 11:30:16)
I worked with Bernie during a short stint at the Cornish Guardian. It was a pleasure. Good luck with your retirement, Bernie, and enjoy your travels x

Pete Strange (02/12/2008 18:33:04)
Good Luck Bernie, you helped me when i working for The West Briton, Only just got rid of the old mac !
Pete Strange (trethewey way)