IN celebration of his 90th birthday, Sam Broad, of Delabole, was invited to visit the fire station he was once Station Officer for.

Mr Broad joined the Fire Brigade at Delabole at the age of 17, where he subsequently provided 37 years of service to his local community as a fireman.

He retired from service at the age of 55, after holding the position of station officer for many years.

On Tuesday, April 19, Sam went down to the station, he previously served at, to meet members of the fire station and have a ride in one of the vehicles used by the Delabole fire crew.

Mr Broad was the youngest son of eight children and was born at Little Barton — where he has lived all his life.

He has spent his life in Delabole, attending the local primary school from the age of five and staying there until he was 14.

When he finished school he began his working life on the family farm during wartime.

Mr Broad and his family also attended Pengelly Chapel and often travelled a mile or so from his home three times on a Sunday.

At the age of 11 he joined the Pengelly Choir. This sparked a passion for singing and led him to join the Boscastle Male Voice Choir at age 19.

He later went on to Tintagel for over 40 years and followed this with Wadebridge, Launceston Brotherhood and the Cornwall County Choir.

Over his 90 years, Mr Broad has added up around 75 years worth of singing for various male voice choirs.

Sam and his beloved late wife, Elsie, were married in 1954, and went on to have three children together: David, Lynda and Hilary.

Today, Sam has six grandsons, one granddaughter, and three great grandchildren.

Also a keen gardener, Mr Broad has gained a lot of pleasure from entering his prize vegetables in local horticultural shows.

He has also been known for his love for playing whist — he can often be seen at local whist drives with his son, David, and daughter-in-law, Edwina.