The Last Apprentice

Reg Stoddon is well known in his local town of Lancaster for spending his entire working life in the world’s oldest business connected with photography. He served his time and completed his apprenticeship in photographic retailing, later realising that in Lancaster (in retailing) he was in fact ‘The Last Apprentice’. Prior to his retirement in 2014, he had worked in the business for almost 52 years.

Born in 1946, he is a baby boomer - a unique generation owing to the peculiar times in which they were born. Unlike any other generation, most were born into hardship but within a few years, were enjoying freedom of expression never enjoyed by previous generations of teenagers. Married to his wife Jean, they have four adult children and five grandchildren.

This publication was originally intended to be a recollection of notes recording his early life for his family to read. However, many of his customers and friends began to express an interest so on their suggestion, he wrote this book.

Written with humour, joy and occasional sadness, The Last Apprentice documents the highs and lows of life encountered. Reg completely opens his heart with great frankness, documenting his journey from childhood through his teenage years, to adulthood and how he acquired his successful photographic business, briefly rubbing shoulders with a few well-known personalities along the way.

Reg Stoddon is well known in his local town of Lancaster for spending his entire working life in the world's oldest business connected with photography. He served his time and completed his apprenticeship in photographic retailing, later realising that in Lancaster (in retailing) he was in fact 'The Last Apprentice'. Prior to his retirement in 2014, he had worked in the business for almost 52 years. Born in 1946, he is a baby boomer - a unique generation owing to the peculiar times in which they were born. Unlike any other generation, most were born into hardship but within a few years, were enjoying freedom of expression never enjoyed by previous generations of teenagers. Married to his wife Jean, they have four adult children and five grandchildren.