On Tuesday evening local community leaders from Chipping Campden and the surrounding parishes of Willersey, Mickleton, Ebrington and Weston-sub-Edge gathered at The Old Court Room in Chipping Campden to express thanks to the Firefighters of Chipping Campden Community Fire Station, who are on call 24/7 throughout the year.

In particular, though, they wanted to recognise – on behalf of the local communities – the outstanding commitment and dedication of Andy Hillsdon, who recently retired after serving at Campden for an incredible 40 years.

It was calculated that Andy had actually been on standby/call for something approaching 250,000 hours.

When Andy started his service Jim Callaghan was the Prime Minister, Abba were No. 1 in the charts and most of the current firefighters team at Campden hadn’t even been born!

Cllr Shaun Parsons, Chairman of Gloucestershire County Council, thanked Andy on behalf of the County Council and the wider communities of Gloucestershire, and was delighted to present Andy with a Certificate of Appreciation.

Left to right: Cllr Shaun Parsons, Andy Hillsdon, Cllr Lynden Stowe and Deputy Chief Fire Officer for Gloucestershire Andy Hermiston.

Vale Press were delighted to sponsor the event.