Bideford firefighters gather for Ken's birthday

KEN Upton of Bideford arrived at his 70th birthday party to be surprised by 23 local firemen. His wife June had planned the surprise for Ken, who was a fireman in Bideford for 20 years and a former Station Officer. He followed in the fire service footstep

KEN Upton of Bideford arrived at his 70th birthday party to be surprised by 23 local firemen.

His wife June had planned the surprise for Ken, who was a fireman in Bideford for 20 years and a former Station Officer. He followed in the fire service footsteps of both his father and his grandfather.

With the help of former firefighter Maurice Copp she traced many of Ken's former colleagues and friends in the service dating from the 1950s to the present day and they and their wives joined in the party of more than 100 people at The Robins Nest.