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Well-known Welsh photographer dies aged 64

A Welsh photographer who worked tirelessly for his community has died from cancer at the age of 64 after almost five decades behind the lens.

Peter Knowles who retired last month died on 12 October.  He was well known in Port Talbot and had been a photographer for 47 years.

He took photos for several newspapers including the Western Mail, South Wales Echo, South Wales Evening Post and the Neath and Port Talbot Guardian.

He had also established a popular local news website Port Talbot News, but his illness had forced him to close the service last month.

Former Port Talbot Guardian reporter Rachel Moses worked with Peter on a number of occasions.

She said: “Peter was a wonderfully warm character, always happy to hear from reporters at the Guardian. He was of great help in supplying photographs where he could and would stay in contact with any community news. Even after the closure of the Guardian, I would have regular updates of Port Talbot news from Peter, by email.

“He was a wonderful photographer and my family and I treasure the beautiful photographs he took of my nan and grampa’s wedding day early in his career.

“I was saddened to hear the news of the loss of such a community stalwart, and my sincerest sympathies go to his family.”

Journalist David Roberts who worked alongside Peter in his days as a young reporter in the late 1960s said: “He personified community spirit and was passionate about all he did. Better than that, he was often a guiding light who had championed many causes as he went about his business and his personal life.

“Peter was one of the first people I came into contact with in the very first of my 40 years in journalism. Wherever I went as a very young and inexperienced junior reporter Peter was always there, ready to help and guide. It was the kind of support that I know many others will also be grateful for.

“I recall many of the jobs we both turned up at during those early years. They covered all sorts of topics and events. The one constant was Peter’s professionalism. It never wavered. He aimed for the best shot and generally got it.

“His family can draw strength from the fact that it will be a very long time before he or his many achievements will be forgotten.”

Peter was also involved in charity work and the family had a photography business in Port Talbot for 60 years.

During one of his last interviews he said that he regretted having to retire as he had enjoyed his career and every day was different.

 

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  • October 26, 2011 at 4:14 pm
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    I was so saddened to read of the death of Peter. My first job after college was on the Port Talbot Guardian back in the ’70s and I learned so much from watching him work. He had a flash car (or it seemed flash to an impressionable 19-year-old) and he was always good for a lift to jobs in remote parts of the Welsh valleys. He was a lovely man and an absolute professional.

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  • November 1, 2011 at 12:15 pm
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    What sad news. My first job was as a trainee reporter (aged 21) on the Neath Port Talbot Guardian. Peter was one of the first newspaper photographers I met. I echo Maggie’s phrase, ‘a true professional’.

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