Valediction - Retired Assistant Divisional Officer, Mr Martin George Rodney (Rod) Bedford
It is with deep regret that the Service has informed us of the passing of retired Assistant Divisional Officer, Mr Martin George Rodney Bedford, aged 75 years on 19 January 2026.
Mr Bedford began his career with the service in September 1968, where he served at Command Headquarters until his retirement in August 1999.
The funeral service is to be held on Friday, 20 February 2026 at 1200 hours, Grenoside Crematorium, 5 Skew Hill Lane, Grenoside, Sheffield S35 8RZ.
No flowers and if desired, donations may be made to Weston Park Cancer Charity.
The family would welcome anyone wishing to attend.
Whilst Rod was not a member of NARF, it is considered only fitting to publish his valediction to notify his ex-colleagues of his passing, and any funeral arrangements.
30 January 2026
Valediction - Retired Station Officer, Mr Bryan Torn
It is with deep regret that the Service has informed us of the passing of retired Station Officer Mr Bryan Torn, aged 85 years on 17 January 2026.
Mr Torn began his career with the service in September 1970, where he served at numerous locations including Goole, Thorne, Adwick, Edlington and Mexborough Fire Stations until his retirement in July 1995.
The funeral service is to be held on Wednesday 11 February 2026 at 1400 hours, at Doncaster and South Yorkshire Memorial Park and Crematorium, Armthorpe Lane, Barnby Dun, Doncaster, DN3 1NA, followed by a get together at Punch Bowl Inn, Fieldside, Thorne, Doncaster DN8 4BE.
No flowers. However, donations, if desired, will be gratefully received and split between The Fire Fighters Charity and Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals Charity (specifically in support of the Stroke Unit, Doncaster – Ward 16). There will also be a collection at the service.
The family would welcome anyone wishing to attend.
Whilst Bryan was not a member of NARF, it is considered only fitting to publish his valediction for the benefit of his ex-colleagues.
27 January 2026
Valediction - Retire Firefighter, Stuart Burgin
It is with deepest regret that the Service has informed us of the death of retired Firefighter, Mr Stuart Burgin, aged 83 years, on Friday, 9 January 2026.
Mr Burgin began his career with the Fire Service in June 1972, where he served at Mansfield Road Fire Station, up until his retirement in September 1992.
Private cremation has already taken place.
Notwithstanding the above, a donation has been made by us to the Fire fighters Charity in Stuart's name.
23 January 2026
Valediction – Retired Firefighter, Eric Sidney Parsons
It is with deep regret that the Service has informed us of the passing of Retired Firefighter, Mr Parsons, aged 88 years on 11 January 2026.
Mr Parsons began his career with the service in August 1957, where he served at Erskine Road, Rotherham Fire Station until his retirement in December 1984.
The funeral service is to be held on Monday, 26 January 2026 at 1030 hours, St James' Church, Church Lane, Ravenfield, Rotherham, S65 4NG.
The family would welcome anyone wishing to attend.
Whilst Eric was not a member of NARF. However, it is considered only fitting to publish his valediction for the benefit of his ex-colleagues.
16 January 2026
NARF National Annual General Meeting
The Annual General Meeting of the Association will be held on Wednesday 25th March 2026 at the Holiday Inn, Birmingham Junction 7, M6, B43 7BG commencing at 1400 hours.
Association Members are invited to attend the meeting and should arrive not later that 1345. Light refreshments will be provided.
To assist with catering please advise you Group Secretary if you wish to attend not later than 1st March 2026. Copies of reports for the AGM will be circulated by 8th March.
For your information the no motions from Branches for discussion at the AGM were received by 31st December 2025.
Regards
Michael Halley
National Secretary/Treasurer
1 January 2026
NARF Sheffield and Rotherham Group Meeting
May we wish you all a Happy New Year. The next quarterly meeting of the Sheffield and Rotherham Group will be held at 7.30 pm, on Tuesday, 20th January 2026, in the Ground Floor Community Room at South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Headquarters, Eyre Street, Sheffield S1 3FG. How to gain access to the HQ Car Park and the Meeting Room are included in this downloadable guidance
If you have any items you wish to include on the agenda, please email us at narfsouthyorkshire@gmail.com .