Browse Sections

• Education
• Special reports

Blaze of glory for Glossop firefighter

by Sue Carr
7/ 5/2008

SAVING lives, putting out fires, rescuing sheep stuck in tar – it’s all in a day’s work for Howard Groves.

The firefighter has devoted 30 years to the brigade, more than 20 of which have been spent protecting the people of Glossop.

His hard work was recognised yesterday (Wednesday) when he joined colleagues from across the county to accept his long service award.

Howard, now a watch manager, says he still gets a buzz out of the job – and the most unlikely call-outs.

"When I first came to Glossop, the Longdendale Trail was still the old railway line and you got pools of tar where the track was," he said. "We had a job there once where a sheep and two lambs had laid down in the tar because it was warm. With the help of a vet, we had to trim the fleece off until we could get them out!"

The 48 year old, who lives with wife Ruth close to the Whitfield Park station, has also seen a lot of changes.

He said: "When I first joined you hardly ever wore breathing apparatus because you’d be considered a bit of a wimp. You’d come out of a fire coughing and spluttering with your eyes streaming and your lungs would hurt for days. I don’t think smoke alarms had even been invented.

"It’s changed dramatically over the years and all for the better. We used to go to two or three house fires a month but now, because of things like smoke alarms and home fire risk assessments, they are few and far between. The only downside is now we have to do loads and loads of paperwork."

Howard, whose son Michael is a policeman in Greater Manchester, will be presented with a crystal goblet at the special ceremony in Belper.

"I’ve enjoyed every minute, it’s absolutely flown by," he added. "I would like to turn back the clock, but only so I could do it all again."