A group picture taken at the presentation ceremony is shown above.

Note to media: Localised versions of this news release are available here, and a number of individual and group pictures are available on request from the Communication Team at cteam@bucksfire.gov.uk

29 January 2009

Twenty-nine members of staff at Buckinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service have just been honoured after notching up more than 650 years of service between them.

Fourteen have served for 20 years and received the Fire Brigade Long Service and Good Conduct Medal, introduced by the Queen in 1954 to recognise members of the fire and rescue service “who have rendered long and meritorious service”.

Ten of the recipients were presented with their medals by Sir Henry Aubrey-Fletcher Bt, Lord-Lieutenant for Buckinghamshire, at a ceremony at the Civic Centre in Aylesbury.

A further 15 received awards celebrating 25 years’ service to Buckinghamshire & Milton Keynes Fire Authority and Buckinghamshire County Council. Five were presented with their certificates by Peter Thorogood, High Sheriff of Buckinghamshire, at the same ceremony.

It was also attended by Councillor David Rowlands, Chairman of Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes Fire & Rescue Authority, and Damian Smith, Chief Fire Officer.

Mr Smith said: “I would like to congratulate you all for your commitment, loyalty and service over many years, and to thank the families who have been there with you.”

The 20-year medal presentations were made to:

• Crew Manager Martin Abraham, Haddenham Fire Station
  
• Group Manager Neil Boustred, Brigade Headquarters, Aylesbury
  
• Group Manager Marie Crothers, Brigade Headquarters, Aylesbury
  
• Crew Manager Tim Delaney, Great Holm Fire Station
  
• Watch Manager Andy Maloney, Gerrards Cross Fire Station
  
• Crew Manager Duncan Payne, Urban Search and Rescue, Beaconsfield
  
• Crew Manager Neil Powell, Buckingham Fire Station
  
• Watch Manager Keith Shayler, Beaconsfield Fire Station
  
• Firefighter Trevor Slade, Winslow Fire Station
  
• Crew Manager Peter Tomes, Great Missenden Fire Station

Recipients who were not at the ceremony were:

• Crew Manager Maria Darrell, Command and Control Centre, Aylesbury
  
• Firefighter Andrew Revitt, Olney Fire Station
  
• Firefighter Laurence Smyth, Aylesbury Fire Station
  
• Firefighter Dean Warren, Newport Pagnell Fire Station

The 25-year certificate presentations were made to:

• Station Manager Roy Hocking, Chesham, Great Missenden, Marlow, Princes Risborough and Stokenchurch Fire Stations
  
• Crew Manager Ian Noyes, Amersham Fire Station
  
• Watch Manager Ian Sharp, Great Holm Fire Station
  
• Firefighter Stephen Swainson, Buckingham Fire Station
  
• Watch Manager Bryan Tomes, Great Missenden Fire Station

Recipients who were not at the ceremony were:

• Firefighter Matt Bliss, Great Holm Fire Station
  
• Station Manager Geoff Bottle, Broughton and Newport Pagnell Fire Stations
  
• Watch Manager Bob Breading, Broughton Fire Station
  
• Firefighter Graham Davies, Aylesbury Fire Station
  
• Firefighter Peter Day, Buckingham Fire Station
  
• Firefighter Richard Harding, Beaconsfield Fire Station
  
• Firefighter Adrian Mynard, Olney Fire Station
  
• Firefighter Kevin Reeve, Aylesbury Fire Station
  
• Watch Manager Tim Sear, Aylesbury Fire Station
  
• Watch Manager Kevyn Stigwood, Beaconsfield Fire Station