Ready for action, Mike and his bike! ©Photographer unknown but probably a Central Press neg
Well here’s a great image sent to us by Mike McCartan who writes on an email titled: Update to Alan Coomes piece about CPP departments – Motorcycle Despatch Riders.
Hi Will
Just came across this important article [view our article] and thought I might just mention the “motorcycle despatch riders” who came under the same umbrella as the “messangers”, but a bit different and just as important, I think.
Here’s a picture in 1969 and taken outside QPR ground as I waited to pick up rolls of film and handwritten notes from a CPP photographer (sorry, can’t recall the name). He was attending a photo-shoot to publicise the arrival of a new player at the club.
Kind regards
Mike McC
CPP’s long time despatch rider was a member of my motorcycle club in Biggin Hill and, when he moved on to pastures new. Mike continues… ‘I was interviewed by the Picture Editor and started at Gough Square on Monday 27th May 1968. After just over an enjoyable and very-very interesting year I moved on to pursue a career in a totally different field.’
‘During my time at CPP, litho plate makers went on strike and no photos appeared in any newspapers. Photographers at CPP spent this time shooting all manner of stuff for stock and library. Very experienced guys who knew every single thing about the sports and events which they normally covered, were suddenly called on the produce photos and meaningful captions for strange sports and events such as the Croquet World Championships at Barons Court. Needless to say, being real professionals, they all rose to the occasion and with a little judicious research, managed to produce super-creditable results.’
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