Shiny Shoes

Today is an end of an era - My work colleague and friend, Paul Wardell, finally retires from the fire service - well its his last shift!!

He joined in 1988 after serving in the Navy (and doing other bits and pieces) - and has served his time with Fife Fire and Rescue Service and then as the amalgamation took place, the Scottish Fire Service as well.

Never one to take life too seriously, Paul is a laid back character, always one to "get on with the job" at fires, but around the station, the gaffer would always be wondering what "Wardell was up too!".

The shoes sum him up to a tee - these have lasted many years and have seen allsorts of "stuff" ending up on them (the yellow paint at the back..well once he had them painted with yellow Hydrant paint...think it stayed on for a long time....until the gaffer got sight of them!!).

But he would never part with them - loyal to the end.....and for all his joking around, he genuinely took interest in peoples lives - finding out about what they were up too and if there was "stuff happening" to them....well he would always take the time to listen....follow it up at a later date to see how things were and the loyalty shown to them was in the fact that anything shared would not be "passed on".

Well un-beknown to him, his shoes are forever mounted on this plaque - he will get a few more goodies tonight - and all being well receive the obligatory soaking!

Have a good one Wardell! Enjoy your retirement from the fire brigade.