Coffee break
Name: Paul P Holmes (AKA PP)
Age: 56
Lives: Ashbourne
Married? I was married for the first time at the ripe old age of 49. I’ve been happily married to Jane for seven years.
Kids? I have a son and a daughter from a previous relationship – Mark, 33, and Cathy, 29. I also have two stepchildren, Claudia, 23, and Conor, 19.
About you: I am a genuine and friendly chap. I am actually a private person and like to keep myself to myself – apart from when I’m in the paper, usually relating to fire service incidents.
Three things you like: Apart from my life with Jane, I am passionate about motorbikes and motorsport. I am also partial to having a holiday or two and love travelling to different countries.
Three things you dislike: The annual fitness test I have to do for the fire service, dishonesty, and people who are always late.
Are you an Up’ard or a Down’ard? I am most definitely an Up’ard.
Born and bred: The Maternity home in Ashbourne.
Family matters: We are a local Ashburnian family consisting of my dad, who is 83 years old, and an older and a younger sister. I sadly lost my mum, Mavis, in November 2015. Jane was born in Hartlepool, in the North East, but has lived in Ashbourne for 20 years.
Work-wise: I started working part-time at Sturston Road Garage when I was 14, then started an apprenticeship with them as a motor mechanic when I was 16. I became self-employed in 1983, aged 21. I went on to build my own garage, Paul P Holmes Motor Engineers, on the Airfield Industrial Estate in 1986 and ran this garage for the next 17 years. When I was 41 years old I changed direction and bought into a manufacturing business, also on the industrial estate. I have been director and owner of this business for the past 15 years and currently employ 12 people. In addition to this I have been a retained firefighter in Ashbourne since September 1981 – some 37 years and counting. I was promoted in February 1998 to watch manager/officer in charge of the station. I am very proud to have been in charge of the station for the past 20 years. I currently have a retained crew of 14 firefighters (four crew managers and 10 firefighters).
What are you best at? Leadership, delegation and punctuality!
Your ideal holiday: Anywhere hot and sunny.
Your favourite food: I like a good fillet steak but I’m equally happy with a Pukka Pie. I just love food!
Who inspires you? Anyone who works hard, takes risks and does well for themselves. Good on them!
If you ruled the world, what is the one thing you would change? Well, where would you like me to begin?
What would it say on your epitaph? He spent his life fighting fire and in the end he let the fire take him (final wish to be cremated).