LOOE firefighters past and present gathered to wish a much-loved and respected colleague all the very best on his retirement.

Station manager John Bowden has served his community as a firefighter for more than 46 years, combining the demanding on-call role with his work in the family plumbing business.

It was as a young man following in his father Ron’s footsteps that John first joined the Looe Fire Brigade.

On leaving school, John worked alongside his dad as an apprentice, Ron disappearing to do his duty whenever the alarm sounded.

“He’d return after a while and regale me with stories of derring-do,” said John.

“I thought it sounded alright, and I joined two weeks after my 18th birthday.”

John remembers very well his first shout to a hedge fire near Talland Bay, about three days after he joined.

The hot summer of 1976 was a very busy time, with six, seven or eight call-outs some days, and none of the time restrictions of today placed on firefighters’ working hours.

“It was quite an exceptional time,” he recalls.

“You’d go out first thing in the morning and maybe not get back until 10 at night.”

John’s most recent shout, and his last, was to a large barn fire at a commercial property in Hatt.

Down the years, John has been among the crews called out to some harrowing local incidents. Firefighters are given support after traumatic events, including the chance to work through their experiences with a ‘diffuser’ (counsellor).

John’s personal philosophy and the one that has kept him on track is this: “Whatever we get called to, the first thing we do, is we start to make things better.

“Whether it is a house fire or a car accident. Whatever has happened, more often that not something bad has happened before we arrive, and our job is to make things better.”

After 15 years on the station, John was promoted to leading firefighter, then sub-officer, and not long afterwards took up the role of station officer (now station manager). To have one individual hold this role for 30 years is quite exceptional.

“I have done it as long as I have because I’ve enjoyed it,” he says.

“It’s a worthwhile job and very rewarding.”

John paid tribute to his wife of 37 years, Geraldine, and their daughter Lucy, for being the ‘unpaid and unsung’ yet vital support to the firefighting role.

This was echoed by Cornwall chief fire officer Kathryn Billing. On-call fire-fighters and their families show an incredible commitment, she said, for “all the party venues booked, and left, the dinners on the table uneaten, and the school presentations that they have had to leave”.

“In Cornwall, 75% of our firefighters are on-call. If it weren’t for their commitment and passion, we wouldn’t have a service. I never take it for granted.

“And it’s not just about responding to emergencies. It’s about making a difference to people. John has made Looe Fire Station the heart of the community that it is today.

“I sincerely thank you for your loyalty and service.”

Alongside his vital role in attending emergencies, John has readily contributed to community events and efforts in a multitude of ways, said Councillor Edwina Hannaford, whether that be opening up the fire station for maypole dancing, putting up bunting for a festival, or pumping out floodwater on a local village lane.

Councillor Armand Toms recalled being a child and how after racing off to a call out, Ron Bowden would “stuff a sock into the fire alarm so that other people could get back to sleep”

This care for others and passion for serving the community was still very much there, said Cllr Toms.

Supervisory station manager Jason Boeuf described how the role of on-call liaison officer began here in Cornwall. As one of the first to take this responsibility, John helped to give on-call crew a voice.

“He’s made a huge positive impact on the service. And on top of that he’s a charming, caring individual,” said Jason.

“I have only worked with him for 12 months, but feel privileged.

“John is a fatherly guy who has a calming influence. He has fought hard to return to work after illness, which I respect, and I see him as a role model to others.”

“John served alongside his father Ron for five years and between them, the two gave 83 and a half years to their community,” Jason continued.

“This commitment and passion is exemplary, and can only be there with the support and understanding of wives and children. Thankyou to Geraldine John’s wife and daughter Lucy for your patience and sacrifice.

“John you have set the bar high at 46 and a half years and I thank you for everything you have done for Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service and for your community. I hope you enjoy a relaxed and alerter-less retirement.”