There was the end of an era for Tenby Fire Station this week with the retirement of Station Officer Clive Webb.

Clive, who has been station officer for the last 15 years, attended his last drill night on Tuesday, after serving for nearly 38 years as one of Tenby's retained firefighters.

He joined the Tenby station in October 1964, just six weeks after his 18th birthday, and in 1987 followed in the footsteps of his father, the late Jack Webb, to become station officer.

At a special retirement party attended by colleagues, family and friends at the Buccaneer Inn on Wednesday night, Divisional Officer Dave Olyott said it was a pleasure to thank and honour Clive for his career in the fire service "over a good many years."

He recalled that, in addition to being a retained fireman in Tenby sine the early 1960s, Clive had also been a full-time firefighter in Pembroke Dock, which was where they had first met.

"Over the years Clive has attended most of the major incidents in Pembrokeshire as well as thousands of minor incidents," said DO Olyott.

"As well as that, Tenby Firemen's Carnival is one of the most eagerly anticipated events in the county and Clive has always played a full and active part in organising the event with his colleagues.

"The carnival, in the last 10 years, has raised £23,000 for the Firemen's Benevolent Fund alone; without all the other local charities the fire station supports," DO Olyott continued.

"Tenby firemen are held in the highest esteem, and, as their figurehead, I know you are held in the highest regard by the town.

"Through all your years of service, especially as station officer, you have shown your commitment to the town, the station and your personnel.

"Tenby is a happy station and, unlike some retained stations, has never produced a short crew for incidents, and there is a list of people wanting to join, which speaks volumes about your management skills.

"On behalf of the Fire Service, and personally, I would like to say a big thank you for your help and friendship over the years and wish you a happy and healthy next step in your life," DO Olyott concluded.

Dicky Lewis, who takes over as station officer, had worked out that in Clive's 37 years and four months with the Fire Service he could have attended around 8,500 incidents.

"In that time Clive has probably dealt with about 6,000," he said. "When you work it out as at least an hour an incident, that is a helluva long time," he said.

"I don't think people really realise the commitment, it is a 24 hour a day commitment, seven days a week, 365 days a year."

Dicky recalled several humorous incidents involving Clive over the years.

"However, there is also a serious side and in his 15 years as station officer, Clive has attended many serious fires and road traffic accidents.

"We are not heroes. Incidents affect us the same as the next man, we're only part-timers after all, and it can knock the guts out of you at times, but Clive has always been there for us, always supported us.

"Like his father before him, Clive has always supported the Benevolent Fund, but he has also been a former chairman and president of Tenby Round Table and is Captain of the Bells at St. Mary's.

"All this time he gives for nothing. He has never had any problems with giving his time for people, and I feel it is no exaggeration to say that in the last 38 years Clive has been involved in raising some £200,000 for charity through the Fire Brigade, Round Table and everything else.

"In the 28 years I have served at Tenby Station, Clive has been a good man, a good station officer and a good friend. We will miss him and he'll take some replacing.

"I know, that as station officer, on the way to incidents I'll be thinking 'How would Clive tackle this?'

"If I am half as good as you Clive, I'll be a good 'un."

Dicky presented Clive with a special crafted barometer and clock on behalf of all the firefighters in Tenby.

Firefighter Frank Miller also presented Clive with a gift on behalf of the volunteer crew on Caldey Island.

In reply, Clive said his first thanks would have to go to his family for their support over the years, especially his wife, Ruth.

"She's one in a million," he said. "You cannot do this job without the support of your wife, you have got to have support at home, and I have had 110 per cent from Ruth.

"My thanks also go to the boys at the station," he continued. "A station officer is only as good as the men under him.

"Tenby station is the tops, there is no other, and the members of Tenby are the best.

"I have always had 110 support from them and they have been behind me 100 per cent."

Clive also felt thanks were due to the 'backbone' of the station, the firefighters' wives, girlfriends and partners.

"Their support is vital," he said. "We are all one big family. Dicky is not taking over a station, he is taking over a family."

Clive recalled that when he first joined the brigade they attended around 60 incidents a year.

"Now its well over 250 to 300," he said. "With all the new techniques and technology, you've really got to be on top of your mettle, and when you can remember incidents that happened 30 years ago more clearly than ones you went to last week, it's time to go," he smiled.

Clive presented the station with a special board he had had made following research he carried out over Christmas detailing all the names of all the officers in charge at Tenby since it was set up.

"Tenby station was established in 1874. It is a unique station with over 120 years of history," he said. "We must all remember that.

"I wish Dicky and the boys all the very best for the future.

I've enjoyed every minute and second, and I'd do it all again tomorrow!"

Ruth Webb thanked everyone for attending the evening.

"The number of people here has overwhelmed us and it's testimony to Clive as a man," she said.

"Clive's Dad became station officer just a few days after Clive was born, and took him to the station to 'get a smell of the place', so it was inevitable that he would become a firefighter," she smiled.

"Clive was already in the service when I met him, so I've only known him dashing off and me waiting, but I wouldn't have had it any other way."

During the evening, it was also revealed that, in addition to Dicky Lewis becoming station officer, Martin Hurlow had been promoted to sub-officer. Jeremy Lees and Mark Tucker had also been promoted to leading firefighters to join leading firefighter John Conbeer.