Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service has donated vintage appliances to the museum.
Last week (Friday, 21st February) Tynemouth Community Fire Station (CFS) bid a fond farewell to two vintage fire appliances as they embarked on an exciting journey towards their new home here with us at Beamish Museum.
The impressive pair of Leyland emergency vehicles have been loyal servants to residents across the North East, and that mantle will see them positioned pride of place amongst the museum’s collection.
The road trip saw one of the fire engines travel from North Tyneside to Beamish after receiving a special guard of honour from serving firefighters based in Tynemouth CFS with the older appliance due to be collected at a later date.
The fire appliances have a combined age of 185-years [registered: 1934 and 1937] with both vehicles seeing active duty across the region in Newcastle, Gateshead and Middlesbrough that would’ve included helping firefighters to save people from burning buildings through to rescuing them from road traffic collisions.
Beamish will also be receiving a 1934 Leyland Fire Pump and a 1937 Leyland Semi Limousine dual purpose appliance, which have been lovingly looked after down the years by fire service volunteers and crew members at Tynemouth CFS.
Station Manager Trevor Sturrock, Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS), said: “For decades the vintage appliances have been proudly located at Tynemouth Community Fire Station. But it has recently become more difficult to maintain and service the vehicles, which sadly meant they could no longer be driven to public displays and events to gain the admiration they deserve.”
Station Manager Sturrock added: “Beamish Museum was chosen due to its locality, which helps to keep the vehicles in the North East of England, and also the museum’s ability to attract large numbers of visitors ensures they can be enjoyed by the public for many more years to come.
Keeping the Leyland trucks in the region also ensures that retired firefighters can still visit and experience the nostalgic reminders of historical operational incidents from the region’s heritage. A special mention has to go to all of the tender loving care that has been given down the years to both appliances from fire service volunteers and serving crew members.”
Paul Jarman, Director of Development – Transport, Industry & Design at Beamish Museum said: “We have been aware of these fine appliances for many years now and are very grateful that Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service has entrusted them to Beamish Museum where they will form part of the core collection of regionally significant transport exhibits.
“We were particularly excited that one of them could be driven to the museum, through Newcastle and Gateshead, which certainly turned a few heads as it made the journey!”
The two decorated fire appliances will become part of the working recreation of North East life at Beamish Museum and will appear at events at the museum during the year.