The family of a retired police officer, 95, surprised him with a ride in a vintage police Range Rover as he was honoured for a lifetime of dedicated service.
Nelson-born Tom Kitchen had an impressive career in the police force, serving Lancashire, Ramsbottom, Bury and Whitefield for more than 25 years in several roles.
He joined the Bury division of the National Association of Retired Police Officers (NARPO) in 1974, earning him the title of longest-serving member to date as he celebrates 50 years.
On Thursday, November 21, Mr Hitchen was awarded a lifetime membership certificate and medal, along with a certificate of long service from the club, which was presented by the Mayor and Mayoress of Bury and NARPO deputy CEO, Steve Wilcock.
His family kept the celebration a surprise until the day, when Mr Kitchen was collected from his Bury home that morning by a former colleague in a restored vintage police Range Rover.
Son Kevin Hitchen said: “It was a challenge to keep it all a surprise but we somehow managed it.”
During a speech at Elton Liberal Club, Mr Wilcock commended Mr Hitchen for upholding the club's values of “service, comradery, and a commitment to making a difference.”
Mr Hitchen said: “It was a big surprise, I wasn’t expecting this and am stuck for words”.
He also paid tribute to his late wife, Vilma, who sadly died just before their 72nd wedding anniversary two years ago, adding “she supported me through everything.”
The retiree thanked the Mayor and Mayoress for their attendance and said that he would “treasure it.”
The Mayoress of Bury, Carol Bernstein, said: “What an amazing achievement. I’m sure that he has done wonderful things for the community in his previous roles too.”
Mr Hitchen was born in 1929 in Nelson and was the youngest of four children.
After leaving school aged 14, he took up employment in a local solicitor's office before volunteering for duty with the RAF Police in July 1947.
After a period of training, he was posted to El Hamra, a Royal Air Force (RAF) airbase in Egypt. After serving for more than two years, he returned to Britain in October 1949 to be demobbed.
Mr Hitchen returned to his previous employment with the local solicitor in Nelson. In the meantime, he had applied to join the Lancashire Constabulary, later being appointed as a Constable in November 1949.
After initial training, he was posted to the 'G' Division in Colne on foot patrol duties.
In April 1950, Mr Hitchen married his late wife Vilma and in time, they went on the have two sons, Thomas – who now goes by John - and Kevin. In later years, they welcomed five grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
In 1952, he was transferred to Foulridge as the 'village bobby’, later progressing into roles as a Criminal Investigative Department (CID) aide and Detective Constable.
Eight years later, Mr Hitchen was transferred to the 'N' Division in Bury and a further move in 1966 saw him relocate to Ramsbottom as the sole CID officer.
Whilst serving in the CID, he also became the Police Federation representative for the CID.
In 1974, after the formation of Greater Manchester Police (GMP), he began a period as Acting Detective Sergeant which saw him move to Whitefield CID.
Mr Hitchen then retired from the force after 25 years of service.
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He went on to become a health and safety officer at the Trinity Paper Mill in Ramsbottom until fully retiring in 1992.
In retirement, Mr and Mrs Hitchen took up ballroom dancing and enjoyed holidays abroad and in their static caravan around the North West.
Friend and former colleague Michael Jones travelled from Fleetwood for the celebration.
He said: “Where does the time go? Tom is a credit to the force and has been a super friend to me and my family.”
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