BUDE firefighters said farewell to Mark Blatchford, who attended his last drill night on Monday, June 4 before his retirement.

Mark served 25 years at Bude Community Fire Station, joining ‘Cornwall Fire Brigade’ as it was back then on June 22 1992, and officially retired on Saturday, June 9, the date of his birthday.

‘Blackie’, as he is known, was handed his award of thanks from group manager Lee Griffin.

His colleagues said: “Good luck with the retirement Mark, the station certainly won’t be the same without you!”