Establishment 2000

Before a company of county and burgh councillors, and fire service officers and men, the new £20,000 Fire Station at the corner of George Road, Gourock, was officially opened on Wednesday afternoon by Mr Charles Ross, J.P., county clerk and clerk to the Western Area Joint Fire Committee, who is retiring next month.
Provost Mitchell, of Renfrew, presided and apologised for the unavoidable absence of Dr. James W. Macfarlane, county convener chairman of the Fire Committee, who was in hospital for an appendicitis operation. They wished him a speedy recovery to health.
Provost David M. Leith, who had maintained pressure in committee for a new Fire Station for Gourock, welcomed the retained firemen, saying they in Gourock were very proud of their Fire Brigade which was not surpassed by any in the country.

Family Affair

He referred to the family affair of the third generation of Melvilles being in charge of the Gourock, Brigade, which was a unique occurrence.
Referring to the county clerk, Provost Leith said Mr Ross held a peculiar place in the affections of the county council. He had an approachably and kindly manner, and in regretting the forthcoming retirement, they wished him and his wife and family a long and happy retirement, and added the hope of meeting on many similar occasions.
Mr Ross said the Fire Service was not given to a lot of humour, and he turned to the serious side. He said there were no meetings of committee without the clerk having to read the Firemaster's report on fatal accidents which occurred at fires.
This brought them to the realisation of the serious business which this fire service was. In 1971 property damaged by fire totalled £1,280,000, loss of life was 782.
It was incredible that with all this human suffering the nation did not respond to the efforts of the Central Government and local Fire Authorities to exert more care in houses, offices and factories.
So long as the apathy of the nation continues, so long will we need fire stations of this kind. While the fire stations were important, firemen were more important.
Mr Ross went on to say that in 1947 when the Service came into force, the Joint Committee had provided new Fire Stations in every town of the Fire Area which covered Renfrewshire, Bute and Argyll.

Gourock's First

He said the first record of a fire station in Gourock was in 1884 when it was located at the Gas Works in Hopeton Street. The committee in 1897 comprised five commissioners (the predecessors of town councillors) and the Brigade had six members with a firemaster.
The unit was a horse-drawn carriage carrying delivery hose.
In 1897 the U.F. church agreed to ring the bells when a fire occurred, and before that five firemen were called out by the firemaster going round the doors of their houses.
Mr Ross also referred to the unique position of the third generation of Melvilles in charge at Gourock - the present one is Sub. Officer James Melville, and his father Mr William C. Melville, B.E.M., and his grandfather Mr James Melville, were firemasters in their time. This was a remarkable family record, and when the Melvilles were not in charge a Collins is -Leading Fireman Tom Collins and his brother Fireman Jim Collins are in the present Brigade, and their father Mr James Collins (formerly burgh mechanic) was driver of the unit for a long number of years.
The present station in Royal Street was occupied in 1906 and had served for 46 years which was young by any standards.
The owner of the first horse to be used was paid a premium of 5/- for the first hour and 2/6d for each additional hour. Fireman were paid 3/- and a reducing hourly rate.
He paid tribute to firemen, and in particular to the retained men of the kind who manned the Gourock station. They earned their livelihood in other spheres and when the fire call came, they reported for duty. No praise was too high for such men. In conclusion Mr Ross said he had great pleasure in declaring the station well and truly open, and went on to unveil a plaque recording the occasion.
Sub Officer Melville made a presentation of a handsome cigarette box with the service badge on the lid, to Mr Ross in appreciation of his services.
Baillie M. White (Greenock) proposed the vote of thanks.
Rev P. M. Houston, chaplain to the Fire Service, dedicated the building to the glory of God and service to the community.

Long Service Medals

Long service medals for 20 years' service were presented by Assistant Firemaster Harper to the following: L/F Lewis McKechnie, Fm Robert Ferguson, Fm George Robertson, Fm Neil Mitchell, all of Greenock, ex-Sub Officer Wm. Risk of Brodick and ex-L/F Frederick Beattie of Gourock.
Among the senior officers present were Firemaster Robert Herbert, M.B.E., Firemaster Ferrie (Greenock), Mr Jackson, H.M. Inspector of Fire Services, Scotland, and Mr Hutchieson, Administrative Dept., Scottish Health and Housing Dept., Edinburgh.
The company were guests of Gourock town council to refreshments and afternoon tea, provided by Macari Catering, Gourock. An opportunity was provided to inspect the excellent laid-out and constructed building by Fleming Timber Building, Ltd., Lenzie, to the design of the County Architect, Mr Alexander Farquhar.
Photographs will appear in the next issue.
(Gourock Times 25/11/72)

The Station in Royal Street opened in 1906 was in use for 66 years and not as stated above.

GOUROCK’S SUPER FIRE STATION OPENED

To make way for new developments within the Burgh it necessary to vacate Royal Street station and, after negotiations, a site was selected at the corner of George Road and Drumshantie Road, Gourock.
In the interests of expedition and ecomony, the Joint Committee decided to use an industrial building process and the County Architect of Renfrew County was commissioned to design the Station.
The construction is prefabricated timber with an external skin of facing brick and an in situ ground floor slab. The roof construction is three layer felt on insulation on insulation board.
It is a two bay appliance station with the appropriate ancilliary accommodation, including a Lecture and Recreation Room, which is a big improvement on the accommodation at Royal Street. The yard has an asphalt covering and is sufficiently large to allow drills to be carried out.
The Station was built by Fleming Timber Buildings Limited, Lenzie at a cost of £20,000. Construction started in May, and was completed in October.
The appliance room houses two Dennis F8 pumps.
The Station establishment consists of one Sub Officer, two Leading Firemen and eleven Firemen.
The Station area is the Burgh of Gourock and the landwards areas of Inverkip and Wemyss Bay.
<PHOTO> The New Station.
<PHOTO> Mr Ross, county clerk (left) and clerk to the Western Fire Area Joint Committee, who is retiring in December, with his successor, Mr R. C. Mitchell, who has benn depute clerk for several years. In the background is the plaque unvieled at the ceremony.
<PHOTO> Mr Ross seated at the wheel of the Gourock fire unit with Sub Officer James Melville, in charge of Gourock Station. (George Young, photographers.)
(Gourock Times Friday 31 November, 1972.)

Gourock’s new fire station opened

Apathy of the public towrds fire danger was attacked yesterday at the opening of Gourock’s new fire station.
"As long as the apathy of the nation continues, there will be a need for fire stations of the kind we are in today," said Mr Charles Ross, Clerk to the Western Area Joint Fire Committee, who opened the station.
Mr Ross, who shortly retires from his post of Renfrew’s County Clerk, was performing one of his last public duties.
The new £20,000 building at the corner of George Road and Drumshantie Road replaces the 46 year old station in Royal Street. It will be manned by a Sub Officer, two Leading Firemen, and 11 firemen of the retained unit.

TWO APPLIANCES

The building, a prefabricated timber construction with an external skin of facing brick, will house two fire fighting appliances. It will serve the burgh of Gourock and the landward areas of Wemyss Bay and Inverkip.
In charge will be Sub Officer James Melville of the Retained Unit whose family have a long firefighting tradition in the town.
The name James Melville, the present Sub Officer's grandfather, appears in the Brigade's records in 1898.
His uncle, Thomas joined the brigade in 1924 and became Firemaster, and his father , William joined shortly afterwards. In total the family has had 137 years of service with the Brigade over three generations.
Chairman at the opening was Mr N. W. Mitchell, Provost of Renfrew and member of the area committee. He handed over medals awarded for long service and good conduct to the following men.
Leading Fireman Lewis McKechnie, Fireman Robert Ferguson, Fireman Neil Mitchell and Fireman George Robertson all of Greenock. Two now retired men also received their awards. They were Sub Officer William Risk of Brodick and Gourock man Ex Leading Fireman Frederick Beattie.
The ceremony ended with a conducted tour of the new station which includes a lecture and recreation room for guests and officials.
<PHOTO> Divisional Officer James Ferrie (left) stands with long service medal winners. they are (left to right) Ex-Sub Officer W. Risk; Fireman R. Ferguson; Leading Fireman L. McKechnie; Fireman G. Robertson; Fireman N. Mitchell; and Ex-Leading Fireman F. Beattie. On the extreme right is Firemaster of the Western Area, Mr Robert Herbert.
(Greenock Telegraph Thursday, 23 November, 1972, middle page.)

Opening of Gourock’s new fire station

<PHOTO> The men who will man the Gourock Fire Station are seen here with (second from right) Divisional Officer Mr James Ferrie and (extreme right) Assistant divisional Officer John Hales. (crew lined up in front of appliances in front of station.)
<PHOTO> Receiving a gift after he opened Gourock’s new fire station is Mr Charles Ross, Clerk to the Western Area Joint Fire Committee and County Clerk of Renfrewshire. Handing it over is Sub Officer James Melville, who is in charge of the station. seated are Provost N. W. Mitchell of Renfrew (left) and Provost David Leith of Gourock.
(Greenock Telegraph, Friday 24 November, 1972. Page 6)

WESTERN FIRE AREA JOINT COMMITTEE

OFFICIAL OPENING

of

GOUROCK FIRE STATION

by

CHARLES ROSS, Esq., J.P.

Clerk to Joint Committee

WEDNESDAY, 22nd NOVEMBER, 1972

Chairman:

James W. Macfarlane, D.L. Ph.D. J.P.

Chairman of Joint Committee

PROGRAMME

1.             INTRODUCTORY REMARKS                         CHAIRMAN

2.             WELCOME TO GUESTS                                  PROVOST D.M. LEITH, GOUROCK

3.             PRESENTATION OF LONG

                SERVICE MEDALS                                            CHAIRMAN

4.             OFFICIAL OPENING OF FIRE

                STATION FOLLOWED BY                               CHARLES ROSS, Esq.,

                UNVEILING OF PLAQUE                                  Clerk to Committee

5.             DEDICATION CEREMONY                              CHAPLAIN - Rev P.M. HOUSTON

6.             PRESENTATION TO Mr ROSS                        SUB-OFFICER MELVILLE.

                                                                                               GOUROCK RETAINED UNIT

7.             VOTE OF THANKS                                           VICE-CHAIRMAN OF JOINT

                                                                                               COMMITTEE

8.                    Mr ROSS To BE INTRODUCED TO MEMBERS OF GOUROCK STATION

9.                    TOUR OF STATION

GOUROCK FIRE STATION

To make way for new developments within the Burgh it was necessary to vacate Royal Street and, after negotiations, a site was selected at the corner of George Road and Drumshantie Road, Gourock.

In the interests of expedition and economy, the Joint Committee decided to use an industrialised building process, and the County Architect of Renfrew County was commissioned to design the Station.

The construction is prefabricated timber with an external skin of facing brick and an in situ concrete ground floor slab. The roof construction is three layer felt on insulation board.

It is a two bay appliance station with the appropriate ancillary accommodation, including a Lecture and Recreation Room, which is a big improvement on the existing accommodation at Royal Street. The yard has an asphalt covering and is sufficiently large to allow drills to be carried out.

The Station was built by Fleming Timber Buildings Limited, Lenzie at a cost of £20,000. Construction started in May, 1972 and was completed in October, 1972.

The appliance room houses two Dennis F8 pumps.

The Station Establishment consists of one Sub Officer, two Leading Firemen and eleven Firemen.

The Station area is the Burgh of Gourock and the landward areas of Inverkip and Wemyss Bay.

Contractor:          Fleming Timber Buildings Ltd.,

                                23 Auchinloch Road,

                                Lenzie.

Architect:              Alexander Farquhar, A.R.I.B.A., F.R.I.A.S.

                                County Architect,

                                Renfrew County Council.

Firemaster: Robert Herbert, M.B.E.