FIRE, FIRE!
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Even in 1909 this horse-drawn wood-burning steam-powered fire engine struck folk as something of a contradiction. For as the Arundel Castle Merryweather raced through the streets of West Sussex, it would send sparks flying in its wake. The Merryweather was one of the star attractions at the Fire Show held at the Amberley Industrial Museum. More than 40 appliances from vintage times to modern day were on display.
Ray Ellis from Ashington, West Sussex, (pictured below on his 1982 Dennis turntable ladder appliance) also brought along a 1942 Bedford 111Y water tender with a six-cyllnder 28bp engine. It was originally used as a drinking water carrier for the army and later served on Guernsey at the island's air
port, where it had a Coventry Climax pump fitted. In 1972 it transferred to Alderney airport and in 1977, when it retired, the Bedford was destined for a
watery grave. The land shortage meant the practice then was to push vehicles off the cliffs (must have been a bit dodgy going for a swim). Luckily it was rescued in the nick of time and brought to Farnham in Surrey for preservation.
Making sure the Green Goddesses were not left out was Roger Jones from Bognor Regis. His 1955 AFS Weymannings vehicle (above) spent 12 years in service on London's streets before moving to the Fire Service College at Moreton-In-Marsh.
Jones bought it in 1994 and, judging by the spit and polish it's receiving, the vehicle couldn't be In better hands.