Ipswich former firefighters to end 35-year tradition in May

A lot has changed between now and 1989 – the Berlin Wall was still standing, Margaret Thatcher was in power, and Ipswich Town has since been through 19 managers.

However, what has remained the same is the friendship between five men who met when they were all stationed at Princes Street Fire Station in Ipswich.

Next month, Mark Labdon, 58, Bill Burman, 75, Bobby Stock, 69, Chris Cage, 62, and John Glazenbrook, 73, will embark on their final trip to the Lake District.

The trip has been a tradition for the group over the last 35 years.

Mr Burman and Mr Cage still live in Ipswich, while Mr Stock now resides in Hadleigh and Mr Glazenbrook hails from Chelmondiston. 

The five friends pictured in 1990. Image: Mark Labdon (Image: Mark Labdon)The five friends pictured on a recent trip. Image: Mark Labdon (Image: Mark Labdon)

Mr Labdon, who now lives near Beccles, explained that they bonded over their love of walking while, with the exception of Mr Cage, they served together on the White Watch.

The five men were in different life stages, with Mr Burman and Mr Glazenbrook having young families, whereas Mr Labdon and Mr Cage were unattached.

This did not deter their friendship. The first holiday in 1989, Mr Labdon remembers staying in a “horrendous” shed attached to a pub, with water running down the walls.

This experience did not put them off; the quintet has returned to the Lake District every year for a four-day holiday, with the exception of 2020.  

Since then, they have walked hundreds of miles in all weathers, following the famous Wainwrights Walks, climbing over 150 peaks, including the top 100 and using upwards of 18 pairs of walking boots between them.

They have decided that this trip will be their final one, a concession made to their ages and knees.

They will be marking the occasion in style, staying at a hotel in the eastern lakes and celebrating with a game of cards – and a tot or two of whiskey.