How did a man from East Yorkshire, who used to make his own wetsuits, forge a career as one of the world’s leading experts on dolphins?
Known as The Dolphin Man, Dr Horace Dobbs, who passed away in 2020, won numerous international awards as an author and filmmaker. He also founded the conservation group International Dolphin Watch (IDW).
But, despite the accolades, the start of his career was anything but glamorous.
“He was a very early member of the British Sub Aqua Club, going back to the days when you couldn’t go into a shop and buy a wetsuit,” his daughter, Melanie Parker, tells the Hidden East Yorkshire podcast.
“You had to buy your neoprene, cut it out, stick it together with glue. In dad’s case, jump into the swimming pool and watch it fall apart because it was the wrong glue.”
Standing by the riverside at North Ferriby, Parker reflects on her father’s decision to pursue his fascination for the sea and marine life after he was made redundant from his job as a research scientist.
“It was a big deal, a really big deal, for someone like dad to lose his salary. He had two children to bring up, myself and my brother,” she explains.
“When it first happened, it was quite frightening, like it is for all families when you get a redundancy. But he was extremely positive.
“Eventually, dad would always say it was the best thing that ever happened to him.”