SAM Broad, of Delabole, is due to celebrate his 90th birthday on Friday.

Mr Broad joked that if he had been born a few hours earlier and the Queen a few hours later, they would have shared a birthday!

Mr Broad was the youngest of eight children, born at Little Barton, and has lived there all his life.

At the age of five, Mr Broad attended Delabole Primary School, and stayed there until the age of 14, when he left school to enter the world of work on the family farm.

This was during war time, and most of his work consisted of tackling the hard work of ploughing the fields and the farm with a horse and plough.

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

Around the age of 11, he joined Pengelly Choir, and this struck a passion for singing, leading to Mr Broad joining the Boscastle Male Voice Choir at the age of 19.

Later, he went on to Tintagel for over 40 years, followed by Wadebridge, Launceston Brotherhood and the Cornwall County Choir, adding up to over 75 years of singing in various male voice choirs.

At the age of 17, Mr Broad joined the Fire Brigade at Delabole, and did 37 years of service until his retirement from the brigade at the age of 55, after being the Station Officer for a number of years.

Mr Broad often recalls his early days with the brigade, cycling to a shout, getting up a full head of steam as he sped down the hill, managing to overtake some older firemen on their way to the station!

As a keen gardener, Mr Broad has had a lot of pleasure over the years from entering his prize vegetables in the local horticultural shows.

Additionally, Mr Broad has a love for playing whist, and can often be seen at the local whist drives with his son, David, and daughter-in-law, Edwina.

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.

Mr Broad’s family are due to hold a special family party to commemorate Sam’s wonderful life.

Mr Broad was also due to pay a visit to Delabole Fire Station on Tuesday evening.