Full details of new additions to the site will be posted on this page with links where appropriate.

02.02.12.
Following an exercise in Knowsley today, I have updated a number of appliance pictures for Merseyside as listed:

AINTREE ~ DK05HBE
BELLE VALE ~ DK59BPF
BOOTLE/NETHERTON ~ DK59BOJ ~ DK60DVR
BROMBOROUGH ~ DK08GJX
CROXTETH  DK57FKV
ECCLESTON ~ DK05HBC
HUYTON ~ PN04KTF
KIRKBY ~ DK54HZB
KIRKDALE ~ M232YBG ~ DK60DVN
OLD SWAN ~ PN04KTG
ST HELENS ~ D57FKX

30.01.12.
Pictures on the Littleborough page have been updated.  I am grateful to Ken Brown for the latest pictures of the construction of the new fire station in Bury.

21.01.12.
The appliance pictures on the Ramsbottom page have been updated including a special picture of the new Volvo.

19.01.12.
My first call-out of the year came last evening to a 7 pump plus specials building fire in Manchester City Centre.  The following appliance pictures have been updated:

GORTON ~ MH04FJD
HYDE ~ MV54AYT ~ PO11AVL
MANCHESTER CENTRAL ~ S981SDB ~ PN08UWY
MOSS SIDE ~ PN08 UWZ
SACU ~ J269TTX
SALFORD ~ PF08SNY

13.01.12.
One disappointment I have had with this website, has been the lack of pictures from the days of the A.F.S.   At last I am able to rectify the situation somewhat, thanks to the generosity of Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service.   Where possible, I have placed the pictures on the relevant Library Page.  However, because a number are only listed as Liverpool, I have not been able to distinguish exact stations except in one case and therefore I have created a special page for Liverpool A.F.S.

BOOTLE ~ NYV558 ~ NYV559
BROMBOROUGH [BEBINGTON] ~ NYR302
CHESTER ~ RYX325
CHORLEY ~ NYR876
CROSBY ~ NYR241
LIVERPOOL AFS ~ NYR770 ~ NYR778~NYV624 ~ NYV682 ~ RGC551 ~ RGC553 ~ RYX308 ~ RYX461 ~ SXF537
ST. HELENS ~ NYR949 x2 ~ NYV518 ~ XYM550
TARLETON ~ NYV543 x2
TOXTETH [BELVIDERE ROAD] ~ SYH185
WIGAN ~ NYV148 x3

05.01.12.
Congratulations to all who have been involved with the restoration of Dennis F12 PLV415.   With transfers now added and all the chrome replaced, this vehicle is just about completed and superb it looks.  The final page documenting the restoration has been added.
New appliance pictures have been added to the Chadderton page, where one appliance has gone on the run today.

04.01.12.
Following information recently received, the '60' registered CSU for Lancashire has now been moved to the Blackburn page.   All the '56' registered CSUs have been mvoed to the respecitive Library pages.

03.01.12.
A very interesting picture arrived in my inbox and one that it is also very dear to my heart.   Bedford RTF814G at Newton-le-Willows [Delta64] went to Germany from 4 - 9 September 1969.  An anonymous donor has sent a picture of the appliance taken in Germany.

02.01.12.

As ever I would like to thank all those individuals and also members of our local Fire & Rescue Services who have done so much over the last year to help with this website.  You assistance is deeply appreciated.  The ever-increasing costs of fuel seriously curtailed my activites last year, but as ever, I shall do my best to keep the site as up to date as possible.   Doubtless 2012 will see further significant changes to the Fire & Rescue Services, yet I am confident the professionalism of all our fire-fighters will ensure that the Fire & Rescue Services still make up the finest organisation in this country.  It looks like 2011/12 may be the busiest year yet for the SACUs and on a personal note, I look forward to serving our fire-fighters during the coming months.   It remains a privilege and a pleasure, even at 0400 on an icy night!    This month should hopefully see some more interesting archive pictures being added, and doubtless 2012 will bring many more interesting pictures of both the historical and the modern scenes.   WATCH THIS SPACE!

28.12.11.
The latest pictures of EFM808 have been added, as restoration continues apace.  I am grateful to Peter Williams for a picture of the former Liverpool Fire Brigade Land Rover which has been added to the Speke/Garston Library Page.  Thanks also to Ken Brown for pictures showing the construction of the new fire station in Bury.

25.12.11.
A very Happy Christmas to all visitors to the site. Special thanks to all those who have provided pictures during 2011 especially for the Library Sections.  As ever, your help and support has been truly appreciated.

22.12.11.
If the recent dearth of updates was the lull before the storm, then the storm certainly hit last night with a 20 pump plus specials incident in Leyland, Lancashire.  I even had to request a second SACU to cope with the number of personnel in attendance, and indeed when our relief turned up we actually had 3 vans in attendance at the one incident - a rarity indeed.  I have created a new Incident Page which contains some pictures taken last night, and some more taken this afternoon on my return visits.  Appliance pictures have been updated on the following pages:

BLACKBURN ~ PO55WDU
BURNLEY ~ PM035
DARWEN ~ PL06OWA
FLEETWOOD ~ PO56VGP
FULWOOD ~ PO60LUP
HYNDBURN ~ PJ52FMF
PENWORTHAM ~ PF04UXN
RAWTENSTALL ~ PJ52FMU
SACU ~ BL04NWG
SKELMERSDALE ~ PO56VGV
 

17.12.11.
Not the best day of the year for photography, but between sleet showers, I managed to photograph another 4 of the new LFs for Lancashire today.  With the one seen last month, this just leaves one more to be identified.  The pictures have been added to the Miscellaneous Page.

10.12.11.
Yesterday saw the Official Opening of the Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service Heritage and Education Centre.  A page has been created for the event, with an additional page showing some of the exhibits.   I have also added another selection of pictures showing the ongoing restoration of Dennis F12 PLV415.
A link has been added to the Strathclyde Fire & Rescue Service Heritage Centre.

07.12.11.
Something new!   I have included a couple pictures of model fire appliances built by Greg Woodward.   One is, appropriately, of the Dennis F12 at Carlisle, and the other of the Daf 55 Water Tender at Padiham.   As can be seen, these models have been made to an exceptionally high standard.  Please note, however, I am NOT going to start including pictures of models on a regular basis.   The former Lancashire County GP Lorry that appeared on the Widnes page has been moved to the Crosby page following updated information coming to light.

30.11.11.
One of the highlights of 2011 for me, was attending the unveiling of the Memorial Plaque at Longtown Fire Station.  During that morning, I had the pleasure of meeting and chatting with Mr. Jimmy Templeton, a former Carlisle City Fireman.   Sadly Mr. Templeton passed away at the beginning of this week after a short illness.   All our love and prayers go to his family at this sad time.   MAY HE REST IN PEACE.

In this update, I have included the new Mercedes LFA for Cheshire which was shown at the Emergency Services Show at Stoneleigh last week.  It has been added to the Miscellaneous page.  In contrast, I am grateful to Simon Ryan for providing me with two early pictures of the Dennis Light 6 currently undergoing restoration.  I have added them to the Chester Library page.

16.11.11.
The first picture of one of the Brown's bodied LFs for Lancashire has been added to the Miscellaneous page.   The new Hilux at Burnley has been added plus the Water Tender at Hyndburn has been updated.

10.11.11.
A new page has been created for Exercise Springfield held last week.  In addition I have updated the picture of the IRU on the Farnworth page.  On the Links page, I have included a link to the Friends of London Fire Brigade Museum.

29.10.11.
The Oldham page has been updated to show the latest Volvos there.  I have also updated one of the Chadderton appliance pictures.

27.10.11.
New Volvos photographed at Leigh T.S.C. have been added to the Chadderton, Littleborough and Ramsbottom pages.
Since the departure of PLV415 back to Liverpool, work has started on the restoration of Dennis Light 6 EFM808.  I have created a new page to record the progess on this vehicle.

22.10.11.
I have added the 'missing' Merseyside Scania at Bromborough plus the picture of the Hazmat Unit there has also been updated.  An updated picture of Carnforth Fire Station has recently been added.  In addition to a fairly quiet spell incident wise, I have also been carless for more than two weeks, but normal service should soon be resumed.  [It did, however, mean that I couldn't get to last night's 8 pump shout in Miles Platting!]
I have now completed the allocation lists of the new Volvos in GMC on the Miscellaneous page, where there have been some notable changes which will see the first of the '53' registered pumps coming off frontline duties.   Finally in this update, something a little different.  An anecdotal tale from Graham Daniel regarding Firemaster Pump Escape 6900NF has been added.  An interesting read.

13.10.11.
We are, thankfully, going through a reasonably quiet period, with few major fires in the North West, so my apologies for a lack of updates recently.  Two interesting pictures have come from the Cheshire area.  With the ALP from Chester undergoing long-term refurbishment, an ex-Darlington ALP is temporarily on the run at Chester.   Many thanks to Barrie Green for the picture.  Thanks also to Craig Howell, whose former Sandbach L4P reached the age of 30 last weekend.

28.09.11.
Yesterday saw a significant milestone in the restoration of Dennis F12 PLV415.  The bodywork restoration has been superbly completed and the appliance was taken on a low-loader to Merseyside's Engineering Centre of Excellence where it will be repainted.  A set of updated pictures has been added.
Meanwhile over at GMC, the latest new Volvo went on the run yesterday at Whitehill, leaving just 4 to go.   Pictures of 2 of the last 4 have been added to the Miscellaneous page.

21.09.11.
Revised appliance pictures have been added to the Bolton North, Northwich, Poynton Library and Wigan pages.

19.09.11.
Yesterday a MAJOR INCIDENT exercise was held at Manchester's Piccadilly Rail Station attended by all the emergency services.  A special page has been created for Exercise Pestle.

11.09.11.
WE WILL REMEMBER THEM.
It was a great privilege for me to be invited to lead the 9/11 Memorial at Leigh Fire Station this afternoon.  A special page has been created.

07.09.11.
I am playing catch up again with a selection of pictures taken back in July and recently retrieved from my old computer.  I have created a new page for a Water Incident Exercise in Radcliffe.  All the appliances that attended are on that page, and unless I have added a more recent picture, an additonal picture has been put on the respective station pages as listed below.

AGECROFT ~ P21GNA ~ PN57AOZ
BOLTON NORTH ~ MV53EXO
BROUGHTON ~ PN05EHG
BURY ~ PO60KWY
ECCLES ~ MX07GYZ
PENWORTHAM ~ PF04UXN ~ PN07EGU
ROCHDALE ~ PF08SNU
SACU ~ N665WVR
WARRINGTON ~ DK56JYP

Also from July, an update of one of the appliances on the Blackley & Farnworth pages, plus a small selection from Leigh T.S.C. again listed below.

BLACKLEY ~ PN05EHC
FARNWORTH ~ PN57AOY
GMC MISCELLANEOUS 4 ~ MX05FHK ~ MX05FHL ~ MX05FHO ~ MX05FHP
OLDHAM ~ PO11AUY

Coming back to more recent events, a number of appliance pictures have been updated following a 6 pump and 2 HPV incident in Ancoats at the beginning of this month.

BROUGHTON ~ MH04EHF
GORTON ~ MH04EHD
HYDE ~ MV54AYT ~ PO11AVL
MANCHESTER CENTRAL ~ PN08UWW
SACU ~ J269TTX
STRETFORD ~ V474EBA

That's it for this update.  More to follow very soon.

02.09.11.
The 4 Browns bodied Scanias on Merseyside are now all in service and I have added pictures of 3 of them on the St Helens, Speke/Garston and Kirkdale pages.  I have included a picture of the temporary fire station at Kirkdale, and the new construction at Newton-le-Willows.  Concluding this update, I have update the station pictures on the Frodsham and Whiston pages.

31.08.11.
In this routine update, I have included the new Volvo for Cheadle, due into service imminently.  This now leaves 5 to be allocated, Whitehill x1, Ramsbottom x2 and Littleborough x2.  The new Volvos at Stalybridge have been added along with an updated picture of the fire station.   In conclusion, I have updated the second pump at Bolton Central and the HPV at Oldham.   The picture on the welcome page has also been updated with special thanks to Brooke Vincent.

28.08.11.
The Manchester Pride page has been updated for 2011.

26.08.11.
Another great success story.  Some time ago, I posted pictures of the former Windermere Dodge being restored.  The restoration has been completed and a picture of the restored vehicle has been added to the Windermere Library page.  Staying with the former Westmorland  Brigade, the picture of the preserved L4P from Appleby has been updated.  Many thanks to Chris Brook for both pictures.

23.08.11.
Wot no sermon???  Well there wasn't one from me on Sunday.  I had just pulled up outside church when callout number 4 came through, to two barns on fire in Croft, Cheshire.  I have created an incident page plus a number of appliance pictures have also been updated on the following pages:

CONGLETON ~ L971TFM ~ WX54VJP ~ WX54VMV
KNUTSFORD ~ PN10HRR
NORTHWICH ~ PO11FZN
POYNTON ~ DK59DHG
RUNCORN ~ DG53JNV
SACU ~ J269TTX
STOCKTON HEATH ~ DK08AHX
WARRINGTON ~ DA02MZU ~ DA52YZG ~ DK08AHU
WIDNES ~ Y496PTU ~ DA54YUB

Please spare a special thought for the farmer Philip, his wife Pam,and family.  They were really kind and friendly people, very helpful, but obviously devastated by what has happened. Both barns were full, and just half of one barn was able to be saved.
Concluding this update us a recent picture of Tarporley Fire Station.

20.08.11.
I was called out for the third time this week at 0400 this morning to an 8 pump incident at an engineering works in Lower Darwen.   Although the number of pumps had been reduced by the time we were quiet enough for me to take some photos, I have been able to update some appliance pictures which appear on the following pages.

BLACKBURN ~ PO55WDU ~ PO55WDV
DARWEN ~ PL06OWA
FULWOOD ~ PO56TVY x2 ~PN09PYT
HYNDBURN ~ X146RFV ~ PJ52FMG
NELSON ~ PL06OVY
PRESTON ~ P550WHG ~ PO55WDT ~ PN09KNO
SACU ~ BL04NWG
 

18.08.11.
Earlier this month I was privileged to be invited to spend an evening with the Sandbach Fire Cadets for their annual presentation evening.   A new page has been created to cover the event, and also the appliance on the Sandbach Home Page has been updated.   Many thanks to Craig Howell and his team for all their assistance with this event and update.
The new Volvo currently designated for Hyde has been added, whilst a further two new Volvos not yet allocated and the chassis for the new ICU have been added to the GMC Miscellaneous page.   Finally for this update, I arrived at Leigh TSC today, just in time to see the first appliance from Leigh responding to an incident.

15.08.11.
A little more from Cumbria with the recent allocation of pumps to Penrith and an updated picture of the fire station at Kirkby Stephen.  I am most grateful to Dave Eccles for a couple of pictures taken recently of the former Crewe GMC Rescue Tender which have been added to the Library page.  Finally, I heard recently from an old school pal who has sent a selection of pictures from the fire at St. Edmund Arrowsmith High School in Ashton-in-Makerfield back in 1979, for which an incident page has been created.

11.08.11.
This update starts with a couple of most welcome and interesting 'line ups' from Ken Reid MBE.  One has been added to the Lancaster Library page and the other to the Bolton Central Library page.   I am also grateful to Gavin Hall the current owner of the ex Cheshire Dennis F38 for a recent picture of the appliance which has been added to the Macclesfield Library page.

10.08.11.
Apologies for the lack of updates so far this month.  I have recently purchased a new computer and am in the process of transferring files across.  Normal service should be resumed very soon now.

28.07.11.
New appliances are appearing in all 5 north-west fire and rescue services, and I am getting round the area as and when possible.  I managed to photograph all 3 new Scanias in Cheshire yesterday.  They appear on the Crewe, Northwich and Runcorn pages.   The Congleton page has also been updated.

22.07.11.
Firstly more from Cumbria with an update of some of the appliances on the Kendal page.   The Lancaster pumps have also been updated.

18.07.11.
Slightly later that I had intended, I have created a page for the Blackley Open Day held in Heaton Park at the brginning of this month.  I have also updated one of the Bury appliances.

15.07.11.
I have created an incident page for a fire in a commercial garage in Atherton last evening.  The picture of the second pump at Farnworth has also been updated.
I am indebted to Steve Miller for a picture of the new Mercedes at Sedbergh in Cumbria, bringing the number of these applainces on the site to 4.

14.07.11.
Very much what's new[ish].   A number of new Volvos are now in preparation for service at Leigh T.S.C. and have been added to the Miscellaneous Page.  New appliance pictures in Cumbria having been added to the Keswick, Ambleside and Grange pages plus a picture of the new fire station being constructed at Patterdale.

11.07.11.
Having just returned from a very hot and very sunny Vienna, it's time to play catch up again!   I have a number of pictures which I hope to post in the next few days.   In the meantime, I have completed the list of new Volvos for GMC, both in fleet number and in registration order on the Miscellaneous Page.   Allocations have been listed where known, including the first new appliance for Stalybridge which should enter service this week.   I have also corrected a serious ommission by moving pictures of the GMC Foam Units to the respective station pages, Farnworth and Sale, and moved the former SIU to the Farnworth Library Page.  Apologies for this error.

27.06.11.
There was a serious fire in North Reddish on Saturday which started in a mid-terraced house and then spread to many other properties in the row.   When I attended there were a number of support pumps and relief pumps in attendance as well as those on the original 'make-up'.   Included in the list below is the second new Volvo at Leigh which went on the run on Friday.

ASHTON UNDER LYNE ~ MV54AYX ~ PF08OZB
GORTON ~ MH04FJD
HYDE ~ MF51EXL ~ MV54AYT
LEIGH ~ PO60KWU
MANCHESTER CENTRAL ~ S981SDB ~ PN08UWW
MOSSLEY ~ PN08UWX
PHILIPS PARK ~ MW52UDU x2 ~ PO60KWR
SACU ~ N665WVR
STALYBRIDGE ~ MF51EXH ~ MF51EXJ
STOCKPORT ~ MH04FJF
WHITEHILL ~ MX03RVA x2

24.06.11.
As promised back in March, I am endeavouring to update the Cheshire section of the website.  A number of pictures were updated earlier in the week at the Peckforton Castle incident.  Today I have updated the Audlem, Birchwood, Holmes Chapel, Macclesfield, Northwich, Poynton and Warrington pages where one appliance picture on each page has been changed.

23.06.11.
My thanks to the duty crew at Bootle for making me so welcome last evening.  I have completely updated the Bootle page and added a selection of pictures of the new appliance there.
Thanks also to Barrie Green for more pictures from the Cheshire area.  Included are two appliances not yet on the run, the new Rope Rescue Unit for Knutsford and a new Scania pump for Runcorn, and finally a great picture of the Dennis F7 for the Chester Library page.

On this day, special thoughts are with Steve Morris and his family.  Regular visitors to this site will recall that Steve received extensive burns when called to a house fire in the Great Lever district of Bolton 3 years ago today.  Every good wish, Steve, for your ongoing recovery.  Our thoughts and prayers are with you and yours.
If ANYONE has any information regarding those responsible for the arson attack that night, please contact CrimeStoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or Greater Manchester Police on 0161 872 5050 or contact me in confidence in my role as a Priest via my email link on the Welcome Page.
 

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