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A Short History of Audlem Fire Brigade

22nd October 2017 @ 6:06am – by Audlem History Society
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A Short History of Audlem Fire Brigade

by Bob Poole, retired Audlem Firefighter.

Bob Poole gave an entertaining and anecdote-packed talk on Audlem Fire Brigade last Thursday evening to a full hall of visitors and members of the History Society.

He began by outlining the early years of the service in our village, when in 1898 it was finally decided that Audlem should have its own appliance, as previously we had had to rely on engines from Nantwich.

A committee was formed by John Bellyse and 40 subscribers, and a bell was put on the Town Hall to warn of fires. The service operated within a 4 mile radius, the committee provided uniforms and the horse was kept in the Crown Hotel stables. The first appliance was called Jubilee and was purchased by Mr. Grieve of Corbrook Court. The first call out was on 28th April 1899 to a rick fire at Woore Hall.

Plaques were placed on buildings to indicate if they had fire insurance, otherwise fires would not be dealt with. If occasionally there was no horse available, the appliance had to be pulled by hand, and brooks and ponds were used for the water supply. The appliance itself was housed opposite the blacksmith's in the Public Hall. After the war the Fire Station moved to Cheshire Street where it remains to this day.

Bob then spent the remainder of his talk speaking about problems with the various types of fires, such as those in chimneys or those on thatched roofs. He amused his audience with tales of special incidents, such as a cat up a flue pipe, and was ably abetted and encouraged by the other retired firefighters who were there to support him. Bob especially wanted to pay tribute to the lady fire-fighters who joined the service latterly.

David Roberts did sterling work by providing the slide show. The display of memorabilia of Audlem's Fire Service was wonderfully detailed and exceptionally well-illustrated.

It was certainly an evening to remember on a miserable wet night.


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