Talgarth Fire Station recently played host to a celebration of community volunteering and long service by senior firefighters.

The High Sheriff of Powys, Lady Kathryn Silk, kindly accepted an invitation to present Talgarth Watch Manager Bryan Davies, along with three other veteran firefighters, with long service awards.

Talgarth Mayor Cllr Louise Elston-Reeves and William Powell, Welsh Liberal Democrat County Councillor for Talgarth, joined them, as did proud family members of those receiving awards.

Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service was represented by: Chief Fire Officer Roger Thomas; Group Manager Steve Rowlands (Head of Northern Command); Watch Manager (WM) Brian Woodbridge (Station Liaison Officer Brecon, Talgarth, Abercrave cluster).

WM Stephen Daniels (Abercrave) and WM Mark Hughes (Llandrindod Wells) joined WM Bryan Davies in receiving their long service certificates. WM Nigel Perkins of Brecon was not present but received an award.

The Talgarth Crew were out in force: (Crew Managers) Dave Price; Jon Evans & Ieuan Offord together with Fire Fighters: Rob Jones, Ashley Stevens, Nathan Matthews and Bryan Davies' daughter Katrina Davies.

Lady Silk was given a tour of the Station and one of the tenders at the station, after presenting the awards and thanking the Watch Managers for their service.

It was also a momentous day for recruit Nathan Matthews, who had his first drill night on the same evening and also assisted Lady Silk during the inspection.

Lady Silk commented: "Our retained firefighters play an essential role in keeping our communities safe. It is such a privilege to acknowledge the commitment and dedication of all the team at Talgarth, but especially four Watch Managers from across Powys - who between them have served 166 years as volunteers!"

County Councillor William Powell added: "Our Community remains ever grateful to the men and women who give themselves selflessly in service as our firefighters - in a whole range of ways: attending domestic and industrial fires; road traffic collisions providing flooding support and attending community events. They are the best of us - and we salute them."