AFTER A career spanning nearly 50 years with D. C. Thomson & Co Ltd, reporter Ken Bell retires today.

Perhaps best known for his role as The Courier’s angling correspondent, initially writing under the byline Dunkeld, Ken (65) started his working life in Dundee in 1960 as a sub- editor on the People’s Journal before moving to the Weekly News.

A former pupil of Morgan Academy, Ken subsequently moved to the reporting team on The Courier and the Evening Telegraph in Kirkcaldy.

His spell in the Fife office and a brief period on Dundee reporters was followed by a move to Perth where he eventually became chief reporter. During this spell he was one of the team which reported the tragic events at Dunblane for both papers.

In 2002 Ken took on the role of roving reporter, covering Perthshire for The Courier.

During his career he had an interest in agriculture, covering many Highland shows and took on the role of Courier agricultural correspondent for an eight-month period.

He continued as angling correspondent until this week and he will take his passion for the sport into his retirement.

Last year Ken was honoured for his contribution to conservation over the past four decades.

At a dinner at Scone Palace hosted by the Tay District Salmon Fisheries Board (TDSFB) he was presented with the Tay Salmon Conservation Award, the Ballathie Trophy.

At the event TDSFB chairman John Milligan said, “I am delighted that the Tay Salmon Conservation Award is being presented to Ken Bell, whose reporting in The Courier over the years has done so much to promote angling on the Tay and to draw attention to the work of others in their conservation efforts.

“The fact that Ken has attended the opening ceremony at Kenmore at the start of each season since 1968 is a reflection of his commitment to the sport and to the importance of salmon in our rivers.”

Ken and his wife Pat, who have two daughters, are both keen birdwatchers and intend to travel widely.