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‘Face’ of daily-turned-weekly dies aged 84

Norman ReederThe former chief photographer and “face” of a daily-turned-weekly he worked at for more than half a century has died aged 84.

Tributes have been paid to the Scunthorpe Telegraph’s Norman Reeder, pictured left, who has been described as “the ultimate professional” by colleagues.

Norman’s career at the Telegraph began upon leaving school, at first running errands in the newsroom, and eventually securing the chief photographer’s role.

A highspot of his career was his coverage of the 1974 Flixborough disaster, when a chemical plant explosion claimed 28 lives, capturing the image below.

Former Telegraph sports editor Bob Steels said: “His local newspaper was not just a job to Norman, it was his passion and his life.

“Norman was always the ultimate professional, making sure he got the very best pictures, while at the same time always having a sensitivity for the people we were dealing with.

Speaking about the Flixborough tragedy, he added: “It was his powerful image that filled the front page as the Telegraph began to tell the story of that terrible afternoon.

“There can not be many people in the Scunthorpe area who Norman did not take a photograph of at some stage during his career.

“When Norman was there, the Telegraph was there.”

Norman retired in 1995, after more than 50 years at the paper.

Former Telegraph editor Michelle Lalor, who currently runs the nearby Grimsby Telegraph, said: “Some of the greatest qualities of a true journalist, be they a reporter or photographer, are commitment and a love of the area and its people.

“Norman inspired and led in all those areas and I will be one of many who remember him and his late wife Laura dearly.”

The town’s MP Nic Dakin added that Norman was always someone who could always “relax his subjects” and filled the Telegraph’s pages with “wonderful photographs”.

A funeral service will be held on Wednesday 17 December at the town’s Woodlands Crematorium at 2pm.

Family flowers only have been requested, but mourners can make donations to the Lindsey Lodge Hospice.

Flixborough