Fire Engines Photos

Heartbreaking, especially when compared with the other picture. Terrible that it is in a stalemate type situation.
What an opportunity it would present if it could be properly preserved.
I am always amazed that such historic vehicles can end up in such a predicament, I suppose I still hold out hope that something like an appeal in the local media could generate the necessary assistance. While internally things are changing, externally I still feel that there is a flicker of support and respect to the service.
Please keep us updated Rick, I hope that we'll hear a happy ending soon.

Added by John D on 08 January 2009.

Oh this is not good, I feel a little unsettled in the tummy seeing this pic, but Rick I thank you sincerely for posting, of all the photos we have viewed and commented on, and to see the before and after, I'm a little lost for words, sorry guys, , , ,

Added by Pavel - Western Australia on 08 January 2009.

Rick,
Having seen your photo of ARD 780 in her heyday of preservation and requesting info of its wherabouts, my nostalgia came crashing to earth!
I showed the photo of 2007 to my wife and having been personally involved with it until we moved to the south coast, we were upset and appalled at its condition.
In the first instance I shall contact the station personnel and find out the present situation in respect of its whereabouts, hopefully it is still there?
The original owner when she first went into preservation who has been passed away a number of years, served this station for about 30yrs I dread to think what he would say.
I will do my utmost to resolve this issue with a visit back to Berkshire where i was known for my persuasion and tenacity! alan j

Added by Alan Jones on 08 January 2009.

Alan J,

What station is ARD at?, I saw here parked in a front garden in Mortimer about 2 years ago and sad to say she was in the same condition.
Best Wishes

Chris

Added by Chris Whitton on 08 January 2009.

I have just come back from Mortimer after doing a funeral procession with my TL for an ex fireman from caversham road and the condition is about the same as you see it in this photo but needs saving i will be contacting the Station officer to see if its available for preservation and putting an artical in the F-S-P-G monthly magazine to encourage like minded people to pitch an offer and secure this beautiful machine

Added by Jason Lester on 09 January 2009.

oh its in the Drill yard at Mortimer

Added by Jason Lester on 09 January 2009.

I remember when i was a little lad, This beaut was stored in the rear sheds at Caversham Rd.
If i was good my Dad would take me into the sheds to look at her.

I would love to see this motor back to it's best

Added by Chris Whitton on 09 January 2009.

Jason,

What TL do you have?
My mission one day is to own PRX 62 that was stationed at Caversham Rd, My Dad used to drive her.

Added by Chris Whitton on 09 January 2009.

Its the ex Surrey Dennis thats posted on here

Added by Jason Lester on 09 January 2009.

Jason, I think the problem is that they do not wish to sell it. I would buy it now to prevent any more deterioration if it were available.



Added by Barry on 09 January 2009.

The problem is that, it is in a non-secure area and if vandalised then it will be the ruination of it. I see their point as it was with great regret that FMO635 went but a health and safety audit demanded its removal from site. A decision has to be made on this machine and i think if somebody said that if it was kept in the area and was lovingly restored then i think they must see sense.
Its hard to let go of history this i know myself but if the manpower time and facilities don't exist to restore her then let her go to someone who can, i rather that than to see it ruined.

Added by Jason Lester on 10 January 2009.

Barry,

I agree and have tried that option! the station don't want to be rid of it but, on the same score they have no accommodation for it so it is deteriorating, I have tried various options to resolve this situation and in the end in total desperation decided to list it on this site so others can attempt to save this beautiful appliance, all it needs short term is a spare garage in a fire station ! but then we are back to my point in my original listing, unfortunatly in 'todays modernised fire and rescue service' there is no place for sentiment or history the people that have the authority do not have fire service/local history anywhere in their vocabulary !!! ok Rant over ! someone please do something to save ARD 780 or the only memories will be photographs.

Added by Rick Loudon on 10 January 2009.

Having had time to think about the reasons why ARD is standing outside for so long, this station also owned a Dennis F7 pump escape, they couldn't store two vehicles - they're struggling with one! the brigade I believe, issued an ultimatum 'to get rid of one' (see its that 'modern' mentality again)so they donated the F7 to a museum - I actually went to look at it on behalf of the National Museum with a view to recovering it back to Northamptonshire for them. I was then told the F7 had been donated to another museum. When I found out in 2007 about ARD's predicament and started making serious enquiries about it I was told by the station personnel that they were very upset that the F7 had since found another home - allegedly without their permission, so, quite naturally they are/were very cautious about releasing ARD from their possession.
All this said if something is not done soon then the local council will be sweeping the bits up and putting them in a skip.

Perhaps Alan Jones, if you can use your 'perseverance and tenacity' to good effect then you may be ARD's last chance - please do your best and keep me informed of the outcome.

Added by Rick Loudon on 10 January 2009.

I have just been over to Mortimer, Spoke to a bloke on the Station, ARD is owned by the Retained crew and as we speak they are looking for large enough storage so they can strip her down and rebuild her to her former glory.

Added by Chris Whitton on 10 January 2009.

The F7 was donated to the RAF fire service museum by arrangement with Bill Lawrance this was agreed jointly by him and the staff at the station.
However Mr Lawrance was on a collecting spree to bolster the vehicle content of the museum however due to the fact that F7's were never in RAF service the museum refused to accept the vehicle due to its civilian origins. Bill had nowere for it and upon him being disposed at her majesties pleasure found the F7 marooned in Oxfordshire with no home to go to.
All of his possessions FMO being one were to be sold to pay his debts and FMO with no value known was donated again, but to myself by the Museum and his son and although i had a vehicle already i had to sought a new owner after long thought and much work on her tired engine a new owner was found.
At no point was a proviso put on this vehicle or conditions of donation as you can agree i had no choice to move it on as i found myself with it weather i liked it or not.
Its in preservation in Scotland it could easily gone to halfpenny green and been left in the open to slowly die i think any home is a good home and i will talk through the situation that led to her new owners acquisition with the staff at Mortimer.


Added by Jason Lester on 10 January 2009.

To all interested parties,
I have been in contact reference ARD 780 at station and other levels, moves are afoot to rectiy the present situation! It will remain where it belongs in BERKSHIRE.
So far as FMO 635 is concerned that should never have left the area, I shall carry out some research on this.
Rick,
Thanks for the photos, yes, I am using knowledge and persuasion!

Chris,
Watch this space, I would also like to know if A.E.C./Merryweather TLP PRX 62 is still in existence. does anybody out there know?

Regards to you all
Alan.J

Added by Alan Jones on 10 January 2009.

Alan, Well done, please keep pushing them to get it sorted its an absolute disgrace what is happening to ARD 780 Sir Nick would not be happy !

Chris, when I took the picture a year ago I was told a building had been found and yet a year on ARD is still out in the open - remember the last two years have been rather wet! It will not survive much longer, I take it the blue sheet was in the state it was without being moved by you, the station is attended at the very least once a week, yet last year I put that same sheet back over the bonnet to hide the lights and this was the night after the drill night !!

To the best of my knowledge PRX 62 was last residing in Cambridgeshire near to Duxford this would be in the late 1980's and was at the last Duxford Rally in 1989 (I think)

Added by Rick Loudon on 16 January 2009.

Ard 780 the facts having now read all your comments eg absolute disgrace etc etc I will now give you all some answers including the facts about fmo 635 ard will be very shortly moving from where she is at present for major works which some have never been done since manufacture. As when the station got her back in memory of sir nick using my own money I replaced the layrub cuplings and various other parts including brakes etc and I will endever to soon have her back to her former glory if not better it is not just since myself and the station have owned her that she has gone down hill as my comments have already said some things have never been done. As for fmo 635 this was given to the station by the brigade (nothing to do with health and safety audit) and was registered by the brigade in my name it was loaned out on the conditions that it was to return for open days or any functions the station held and that if the person it was loaned to could not keep its upkeep it was to be returned to the owner. So it was with shock that I hand a phone one evening last year from an ex rider of fmo that it was in Scotland and not returned to us those are the facts and as you can tell I am not that pleased with some of the comments. As for ard 780 she is not for sale.and she will remain in berkshire as long as I am involved with her in memory of sir nicolas williamson who saved her from the scrap yard and was stationed at mortimer firestation and was a personal friend.

Added by Julian Crew Manager Stn11 on 18 January 2009.

This is an utter disgrace whats happening to ARD 780. Sir Nick's memory should be living on in ARD 780, but not whilst it is in this state. Im sure he would not be happy with the state it is in now.
All very well giving facts out that she will remain in Berkshire and that the appliance is not for sale, but unless somebody with the time and effort does manage to get a hold of this vehicle, its not going to be a very happy ending.


Added by Fiona. on 18 January 2009.

Fiona has expressed my exact thoughts and probably the same thoughts of most of the people who have been reading this sad story of ARD780. I cannot understand the rationale of letting something decay away only to restore it later. I know that it is a lot easier and cheaper to check that the covers are fastened down once a week than now undertake the damage caused from exposure to the weather.

Added by Barry on 19 January 2009.

I agree fully with Fiona!
As for FMO 635 Bill Lawrance had all the talks and agreements regarding that machine and i will not accept any liability for it. all i did was drive it and spend money on it!
But if it meant that it would stay minus a sheet around the back of Mortimer station then i would have sooner burnt it than have left it there
can people see whats happening to this machine? its pride that holds on to this vehicle not willingness to restore it or even ability maybe if the people concered with letting this piece of their heritage get like this why would they not let the same happen to FMO? simple they would as if they had time for ARD then they would have no time for FMO or vice versa no storage
I am sorry for FMO 635 leaving for Edinborough but not sorry that its gone to someone who has time for it. If you had FMO it to would look like this

Added by Jason Lester on 19 January 2009.

I tried to refrain from posting another message on this once great appliance!.
This is madness, This appliance was once a great machine and if the present owner's can come to there sense's it will be again.
If this Machine was a family pet we would put her down!
From a personal approach i would love this motor to stay in Berkshire and close to her root's but if it needed to go outside the County then so be it.
I think that all we want is to see ARD back to her best.
I just wish i had the fund's to buy this Appliance and get on with what need's to be done.
Chris.

Added by Chris Whitton on 19 January 2009.

This is my first time commenting on this site but i have been watching the saga of ARD for some time now. My father, Brian Curtis along with, the late Ian knight, Kieth Edwards and a few others spent many hours looking after ARD, FMO and UBL 465 (Dennis F8) when the Royal Berkshire Fire Brigade Veteran Vehicle Society was going. I have known of ARD's predicament for a number of years and the comments that 'its a disgrace' are putting it lightly, Sir Nicky must be performing cart wheels in his grave. Given the time that the personel at Mortimer have had I think that the devil will be purchasing anti freeze before they restore her to her former glory
I would also like to add that FMO would have suffered the same fate if it had not been rescued from Mortimer fire station.

Added by Clive Curtis on 20 January 2009.

Thank god FMO is safe we need to convince the staff that to save this vehicle is very important!
why can it stand like this and not touch a nerve with the custodians? beggers belief!

Added by Jason Lester on 20 January 2009.

It's such a shame that so much effort will now be required to save this fine appliance for want of something as simple as a descent cover - I wouldn't even leave her in a shed without a cover. I know it's not the ideal solution but a lot better than as pictured above. If only the determination to keep her local was similarly reflected in very basic preservation measures.

Added by Peter McCombie on 20 January 2009.

I remember my father taking me to an open day at Dee Road Fire Station when I was a child. I loved to see the gleaming brasswork and ring the bell. Although I agree with the sentiment of many of those who post comments, everybody must remember that the upkeep and restoration of any historic commercial vehicle requires time, money and suitable secure premises. Agreed, the vehicle should not have deteriorated into this condition, but surely the retained officers need support to get this unique appliance back to the condition it was once was, not criticism. I have been involved in bus preservation and had to find secure undercover accomodation for double deckers. If you look hard enough and ask the right people, a friendly farmer or landowner will be more than happy to rent you a barn or shed for not much more than the cost of a lockup garage in Reading! Try and be positive rather than throwing blame to ensure the memory of Sir Nick 's work lives on and help these guys!

Added by David Williams on 23 January 2009.

David,
All very well, but I am told that good secure accommodation for this vehicle was offered by some local members of the Fire Service Preservation Group only a short distance from Mortimer at a minimal cost, it was either declined or not even replied to !

Added by Rick Loudon on 23 January 2009.

I did a funural with my TL and when i saw this appliance i could not believe what i saw.
You see its a position that i have been in and i know how the staff feel but the commitment for whatever reason is not there and i would love to see this with a person that can do what it needs.
its all very well saying that these comments are stabbing snidey remarks but its the neglect that has prompted them and if this continues i will have no choice but to submit an artical to the FSPG for publication.
Rick has stated that provision for inside storage has not been followed up why was his arm not ripped off in the rush?
simple they dont care sorry lads but until i see otherwise what else can we think?
oh well it will be good for spares

Added by Jason Lester on 08 February 2009.

Jason,

Perhaps a letter to the CFO of Royal Berkshire might help - oh I forgot they don't care either ! so maybe a press campaign locally is what is needed! anyone local prepared to take up the challenge ?

Added by Rick Loudon on 08 February 2009.

If you refer back to my post of the 16th January and the reply of the 18th January you will see that 'accommodation was imminent' ! Last weekend I went to Odiham and made the short detour to Mortimer to 'view the space vacated by ARD ' in the drill yard, unfortunately, but not surprisingly ARD has not vacated its space and is still deteriorating, - as it will until it is safely housed under cover !!!!

Added by Rick Loudon on 07 August 2009.

Is there any good news yet on this machine?

Added by John D on 10 April 2010.

It was still there last time I went to 'Dad's Shop' next door to the fire Station.

Added by Martin Hockley on 09 January 2011.

Jason,

If you wish to email me - I'll gladly help you with your article for the FSPG - I really think somebody local should be contacting the CFO of Royal Berkshire - now theres a thought 'ROYAL' why not go down that line ????

Added by Rick Loudon on 10 January 2011.

Just taken a trip over to Mortimer and ARD has gone.
Does anybody know of her fate

Added by Chris Whitton on 29 November 2012.

I just stumbled on this thread and I'm frankly gutted to learn of the fate of ARD. My dad was Ian Knight who spent an awful lot of time on the upkeep of ARD, FMO and UBL at their then base at the back of Caversham Road fire station.
I'd be really interested to know the whereabouts of FMO and UBX, and especially ARD. I have dozens of photos at home of all three appliances. I spent a lot of time at Caversham Road as a child helping my dad and also a good few hours out and about at rallies in them too. I recognise a few names from this thread, so it'd be good to hear from anyone with any info.

Added by John Knight on 23 August 2014.

Is there any update on ARD 780? Hoping to hear some good news.

Added by John D on 15 May 2015.

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