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September 5, 2008
Metheringham Fire Station Autumn 2008
On Saturday 21 June Metheringham Fire Station held an Open Day for members of Metheringham Parish Council and former serving members of Metheringham Fire Station. The event was to enable viewing of the new fire appliance along with the latest fire fighting equipment that is available for use in our community. This investment demonstrates the commitment to modernisation of the service from Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue Service for the people of Metheringham and the surrounding area.
The Reverend Charles Sowden conducted a Service with a special blessing for the new appliance and its crew. Former serving members who attended the event included Jack Morris who served with Kesteven and Lindsey Fire Service through to Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue; Dick Barker who also served with Kesteven and Lindsey and Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue; Bob Love, Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue and Ray Harrison, who served with Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue. It was nice to see them and their partners on the day, and it gave us all the opportunity to reflect on and discuss the massive changes that have taken place over the years within Metheringham Fire Station. Thanks to all the ex-firefighters and also to the Parish Councillors who attended and helped to make the event a memorable occasion.
Several years ago Roy Darwood and I began to investigate the History of Metheringham Fire Station and particularly the personnel who have served within the community over the years.
We are aware of the Horse Drawn Steam Fire Pump that was attached to Blankney Hall and believe that this attended fire incidents throughout the local community. We have some old photographs of this old steam pump with the fire fighting personnel but have no names provided with these.
It was not until the outbreak of the Second World War when we were able to name some volunteer fire fighters of this time. Roy's uncle, W Carr, along with others, provided emergency cover for the community. At this time an Auxiliary Fire Service was commissioned and this was manned from a makeshift Fire Station at the rear of Townsend's Yard (now Townsends Way), which used a trailed Fire pump towed behind a car or van. This continued until the new purpose built Fire Station was built on Fen Road which is now used as a commercial property.
The existing Fire Station situated on the corner of Fen Road was opened in 1960. We are continuing our research and would appreciate any information to fill in many of the gaps. Please contact Roy (321489) or Pete (321473) if you have any information on the history of Metheringham Fire Station and its former personnel.
Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue Service, of which Metheringham Fire Station is a part, continues to flourish and develop. Fund raising events remain an important part of the service to support the 'Fire Fighters Charity' which helps firefighters and their families at times of need. With this in mind, the annual 'Car Wash' has been organised, which has been very successful over previous years. This year the event will take place at Metheringham Fire Station on Saturday 4th October, between 10am-2pm. Please support this important fund raising event.
Pete Leggett,
Crew Manager,
Metheringham Fire Station
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