It did not augur well for our visit to Dowgate Hill Fire station; when at just before 6.00 pm as the Clerk and I were awaiting the arrival of our party the Fire Station doors opened to allow a noisy Pump Escape (that’s a Fire Engine to ordinary folk!) to emerge and speed away into the City’s evening traffic.

So, I wondered, what would we be doing for the next hour and a half without Red Watch to entertain us?

However, we were fortunate to have the company of a Fire Officer who was on light duties and who took us under his wing; giving us a comprehensive outline the workings of the Fire Station accompanied by a tour.

The Pump Escape returned, fully crewed and led by the Red Watch Manager, Chief Officer Colin Johnson and we had just enough time to meet him…..before they were called out again!

On their 2nd subsequent return; Colin Johnson addressed our party and then promptly had Red Watch put on a demonstration of the preparation and team work involved when attending an incident.  This involved our fully kitted-up firemen, attaching hoses to water mains and using extending ladders to access the 3rd floor of their training tower.  Then with breathing apparatus and carrying full kit scaling those ladders to simulate what may happen during a rescue.

As the demonstration was coming to a close and the Pump Escape restored to its former order; so an alarm sounded and Red Watch, again, sped off into the City to answer yet another emergency call.

Our thoughts were with the crew who were not only fully operational but had taken time out in between to give us a considerable demonstration requiring no little effort; and all this without a single cup of tea!

Our visit concluded with the Master presenting a cheque with thanks to the Firemen’s Charity and our receiving words of advice on Fire safety; it was also emphasised to us that that Fire stations are very welcoming places and the interaction with the public is something that is genuinely promoted.

The evening however, was not entirely over, as in the good tradition of the T’s and B’s there followed a visit to the nearby Oyster Shed Wine bar; where a table had been reserved for a fish supper…….and just one or two glasses of wine.

Attendees: The Master: Roger Westbrook, Tom Rider, David Cole-Adams, Jeremy Stokes, Mike Holliday, Ray Baker, Edward Baker, Piers Nicholson + 2 Guests, John Brooks and Barry Blumsom.