On Saturday (June 13) Bovingdon honoured the firefighters who defended the village during the unit's 77 year history.

Residents packed into Memorial Hall - next door to the closed station on High Street - to view an exhibition and plaque unveiling.

Bovingdon firefighters who tackled the Buncefield Depot explosion in 2005 were awarded certificates, and old uniforms and memorabilia were on show.

Kathy Banks, who helped to organise the event, said: "It was a lovely afternoon and really well attended by people reminiscing about what the station meant to the village.

"Generations of children grew up learning about fire safety and knowing the station and the engine.

"It was very much woven into the community."

The controversial decision to close Bovingdon Fire Station was made by Herts Fire Service in 2006 as part of cutbacks.

Residents fought the plans to the end, via the Save Bovingdon Fire Station Action Group - which still exists and arranged for the plaque to be installed.


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