CUMBRIA'S Fire and Rescue Service said goodbye to one of their 'biggest and best' firefighters who has retired after giving 24 years of service.
Neil Monkhouse has retired from Carlisle East Fire Station having joined back in 1988.
After joining the service on November 29, 1988, Neil was posted to Carlisle Fire Station and latterly Carlisle West Fire Station, following the closure of the old Carlisle Central Fire Station.
During his time, he served on all four watches within the service.
Deputy chief fire officer Brian Steadman, who joined Neil on his initial recruits course, and station manager Ant Rooney made the retirement presentation at Carlisle East Fire Station on March 14, alongside Neil’s watch manager Pete Kavanagh, where he was gifted ceremonial axes for his time in uniform.
A spokesperson from Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service said: "A sad day for Carlisle East Fire Station as we say goodbye to one of our biggest and best- Firefighter Neil Monkhouse retires, following 24 years of faithful service to Carlisle and further afield.
"Neil served on all 4 watches, with the majority of his service on the White watch and latterly green watch.
"Neil will be a big miss to the service, and we wish him and his family well for the future," they said.
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