Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service donates vintage appliances to Beamish, The Living Museum of the North

Last week [Friday 21st February] Tynemouth Community Fire Station (CFS) said a fond farewell to two vintage fire appliances as they embarked on an exciting journey towards their new home at Beamish, The Living Museum of the North.

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 beautiful array of heritage artefacts at the popular visitor attraction.

The road trip saw one of the fire engines travel from North Tyneside to the County Durham open air museum after receiving a special ‘guard of honour’ from serving firefighters based in Tynemouth CFS with the older appliance being 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.

The museum team will 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, 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.”

TWFRS has its very own archive and museum at its Service Headquarters in Washington but nothing to challenge the likes of Beamish Museum.  Most of the artefacts have been donated by retired firefighters and their families.

SM 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 been aware of these fine appliances for many years now and are very grateful that Tyne & Wear Fire & Rescue Service has entrusted them to Beamish Museum where they will form part of the core collection of regionally significant transport exhibits.

“We are particularly excited that one of them can be driven to the museum, through Newcastle and Gateshead, which will certainly turn a few heads as it makes 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.

Keep checking the Beamish website for further information www.beamish.org.uk

Please note – On Friday 21st February, only the 1937 Leyland Semi Limousine dual purpose appliance travelled to Beamish, The Living Museum of the North as the 1934 vehicle requires a low-loader to transport it to the heritage facility at a later date.

TWFRS Authority

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