Autopatrolled users, Bureaucrats, Confirmed users, Interface administrators, Rollbackers, Administrators
3,024
edits
Fire Service: Difference between revisions
→Hoole Volunteer Fire Brigade
Line 29:
==Hoole Volunteer Fire Brigade==
The Hoole Voluntary Fire Brigade (HVFB) was formally established by a vote taken at the Hoole Local Board on 2nd April 1894. The Board also gave authority that the new fire brigade would be allowed the use of the Board’s equipment; namely the fire hose and other appliances – previously under the control of the Police. In addition, Chester Waterworks Company granted permission for the brigade to use their mains supply, should there be an outbreak of fire, on the condition that there should not be
In May the first HVFB meeting was held. Only three men were present but this did not deter them from forming the service, and their efforts paid off as in November of the same year "the whole of Hoole Fire Brigade" joined The Station Company of Chester Volunteers, as it marched from the General Railway Station, over Hoole Bridge to All Saints Church for divine service. The Brigade was commanded by Captain R Cecil Davies and two Lieutenants, Charles Atkin and Dr Francis Butt.
Line 58:
The newly formed brigade was able to take advantage of the new accommodation in Peploe Street, with the hose reel cart moving there from the [[Police]] station on [[Hoole Road]]. The Council provided a house next door, linked to Williams Terrace, initially for its surveyor Charles Atkin, which meant that he was on the spot should a turnout be required. Alfred Catherall, the foreman of the Council, also a volunteer fireman who became Superintendent of HVFB, succeeded him in living there.
At the 1895 first anniversary dinner the by then Surgeon Lieutenant Butt was presented with a silver cigarette case for "''pulling through the examination 20 out of 22 scholars (of the Brigade) in the St Johns Ambulance Class''". Richard Grandridge, Chairman of the UDC, offered to meet 25% of the cost of a much-needed engine, but the consent of the Local Government Board was needed for the remainder to be borrowed. The proposal to name the engine "Richard Grandridge" did not however occur because he died in 1897, before the Local Government Board enquiry in January 1898 to borrow the £300 required took place. This figure included a shed in which to house it and reports of the hearing contain much interesting information and opposition to the proposal. The loan was finally agreed and a report of a fire in Guilden Sutton in September 1899 refers to the new manual engine under the command of Sgt Joseph Owen working in a thoroughly satisfactory manner.
===Members of HVFB===
Line 124:
===Information found in Reports of Annual Dinners===
Speeches given at HVFB Annual Dinners at the time sometimes provide additional insight into the Brigade’s workings including fires attended, several outside the District, some involving work with the Chester VFB. In 1908 at the Bromfield Arms in Hoole, new uniforms, purchased with public contributions, were worn for the first time. In 1914 it was stated that the Council had provided a recreation room and a billiard table, also "''The Brigade had done well in competitions''".
====Fires Attended====
Line 166:
The Sports Days became annual events, contests between firemen and visiting brigades causing keen competition and considerable amusement. The 1904 Sports Day was held at The Folly.
HVFB played a large part in local civic events, processions ,fetes and carnivals, etc. At the 1911 Coronation Celebrations "''members of Hoole Fire Brigade (under Lt E.H. Dawson and Sgts Bennion and Catherall) mounted on the fire engine were in the procession behind the band of the Welsh Royal Field Artillery''".
[[File:RE_FS_12.jpg|400px|thumb|right|Processing for a service at All Saints Church.]]
Line 172:
[[File:RE_FS_11.jpg|400px|thumb|left|Report of games in 1900.]]
Hoole UDC provided significant support to the HVFB in terms of funding equipment and in 1911 approved and paid for the addition of a new store and recreation room over the existing engine house in [[Westminster Road
.
The Hoole UDC minute book for 1898 and again in 1919 record the rules for regulating the employment of the Manual Fire Engine beyond the Boundary of the Urban District of Hoole, and the charges to be paid by third parties who required HVFB services. The services themselves were detailed with their associated costs.
| |||