DENNIS HUTCHINSON 1934-2016: RAMSHAW’S RENOWNED PHOTOGRAPHER

Dennis Hutchinson was born in October 1934, the son of Arthur and Dolly and older brother of Terry. The family lived at Gordon Lane, Ramshaw before moving to Shirley Close, Evenwood. Dennis died in July 2016, aged 81 at his home in Earsdon near Whitley Bay. He left a son and 4 daughters.

The above montage is courtesy of Dale Daniel

Above: A young Dennis Hutchinson

Dennis Hutchinson’s career started in Bishop Auckland at the Auckland Chronicle as a “boy snapper.” Aged 19, he moved on to the Newcastle based, “Chronicle” then to Manchester to work on “The Daily Herald and “Sunday People”. Dennis returned to the North East in 1972, and back to the Chronicle. It was a time of recession and general doom and gloom but his fun pictures brought cheer to readers looking for a regular chuckle.

“He spent his life dedicated to newspapers and making people laugh through his pictures,” said wife Joyce. “He believed in having a laugh a day, along with a few brandies and believed laughter was the best form of therapy.”

His photos have been shown worldwide and grace the covers of many fun birthday cards.

“PHOTOLAUGHS” was Dennis’ trade mark as he tried to find humour in his images. He said:

“People get sick of reading about death and destruction and look forward to a laugh when they open the paper and see my pictures.”

The above montages are courtesy of Dale Daniel

Not only did he see the funny side of life but he photographed some of sports great characters, here’s a selection:

**Above: Liverpool manager Bill Shankly speaking with John Toshack during a training session at Melwood, 24th March 1974. (Photo by Dennis Hutchinson/Mirrorpix/Getty Images)**

**Above: Falkirk FC forward, Alex Ferguson, July 1973. (Photo by Dennis Hutchinson/Mirrorpix/Getty Images)**

Above: The one and only George Best

Above: Arguably the greatest sportsman of all time, Muhammed Ali.

Harry Carnell knew Dennis’s brother Terry, from their schooldays at Ramshaw.

Above: Ramshaw school in the 1950s

Back: Keith Hutchinson, Derek Brunskill, Mr. Watson headmaster, John Prudhoe, Bobby Mason, Harry Carnall, Richard French.

Middle: Malcom Egglestone, Keith Firby, Terry Hutchinson, Alan Proud, Michael Tempest Bobby Maughan.

Nearest left to right: Desmond Brunskill, Trevor Hope, Harold Dowson.

Harry met Dennis many years back at the Prudhoe v Evenwood Town match and asked him,

“What is your favourite photo?”

His answer was – Jimmy Montgomery, Sunderland’s goalkeeper with his new born child in his arms with the caption:

“Safest hands in the business.”

Monty is famous for his double save in the 1973 Cup Final which denied Leeds United of a goal and Sunderland went on to win the trophy.

A box of glass plates were handed in to the History Group. They were found in an attic at Shirley Close. We assume that they must have been some early images taken by Dennis. Graham Vasey was good enough to develop the photos. Does anybody have any ideas who are they?