Official opening 3rd November, 1980.?
Ten men and a water tender. Cost £140,000.
In 1996 Leading Firefighter Neil Smith (The Bull) retired after 35 years service, possibly the longest serving firefighter in Strathclyde and maybe even Scotland.
When the new call signs were being implemented in the WEST SDA over a 7 week period beginning 31/8/2020 doing 1 LSO Area per week, Skelmorlie was changed from R18 to G20.

The South Western Fire Area Administration Scheme Order, 1948

The South Western Fire Area Administration Scheme Order, 1957

Establishment 2000

Skelmorlie's new fire station was officially opened yesterday although it has been used by the district's retained firemen for several months.
The £113,000 station has been adopted as a prototype and two others are to be built in the region.
Built on one level and accommodation one fire appliance, it is staffed by one sub-officer, a leading fireman and eight firemen.
A commemorative plaque was unveiled during the official opening ceremony by regional councillor James McGuire, vice-chairman of the police and fire committee.
Among the officials present were Strathclyde Firemaster Richard Knowlton, Councillor James Jennings, chairman of the police and fire committee and Councillor Richard Wilkinson.
The new building was dedicated by the Rev. Peter Houston, Strathclyde Fire Brigade Chaplain.
Part time firemen in Skelmorlie hold other jobs but can be called at all times by pocket radio.
The station is administered from 'D' Division headquarters in Ayr and inspections, drills and lectures are undertaken by full time officers.
The site of the new station on an access road leading from Innes Park Road to Skelmorlie Playing Fields had to be prepared under a special contract to remove peat and install drainage.
<PHOTO> Unveiling the plaque at the opening of Skelmorlie's new fire station is regional Councillor James McGuire, vice-chairman of the Police and Fire Committee, also from left, Councillor Richard Wilkinson, Mr Richard Knowlton, Strathclyde Firemaster, the Rev. Peter Houston and Councillor James Jennings, chairman of the Police and Fire Committee.
( Greenock Telegraph Wednesday, 5 November, 1980. Page 5)

THE VITAL and often dangerous job carried out by the fire service was highlighted earlier this week when brigades in the Largs area got a double boost.
Two new stations costing a total of £222,000 were opened, one at Skelmorlie, the other at Largs. The guests were welcomed at the Skelmorlie station by Councillor James Jennings, chairman. of Strathclyde Regional Council's Police and Fire Committee.
He introduced his vice-chairman. Councillor James McGuire, who unveiled a plaque commemorating the opening. Mr McGuire said that the retained firemen played "such a major part" in the fire service and added: "I don't think they get the credit they are due, especially in Skelmorlie."
The Rev Peter Houston, chaplain to Strathclyde Fire Brigade, dedicating the station, said that those in the fire service were seldom far from hazards.
"It is only right that we set these people apart for their service to the community," said Rev Houston, who added:"Grant, O God, that they shall come to this place quickly, go from it willingly and return to it safely."

UNSUNG HEROES

Tendering the votes of thanks, Regional Councillor Richard Wilkinson said that all too often firemen were "the unsung heroes." He added: "Like the police they go quietly about their duty but on a special day like today we remember them." He described the opening of two fire stations in the, same division on the same day as "a rare and unique occasion."
Skelmorlie's first fire station was established in 1936. It used lorries operated by the firemaster in his slater's business. The station moved into premises owned by Lorne Garage and was manned throughout the war years by a full team of auxiliary firemen.
In charge of the present brigade of 10 men is Sub Officer William McConnell.

LARGS

At Largs less than an hour later, the roles were reversed as Vice-Chairman McGuire invited his chairman, Mr Jennings, to unveil the plaque. Mr Jennings said he wished the men who manned the station every success and expressed the hope that they would be free from serious hazards.
He recalled that Largs' first fire service also operated from a garage with the officer in charge living above. The pump was taken to the fires in a taxi and prior to the war there was no proper call-out system. The officer in charge got a call and hastened round to the local gasworks where a whistle was sounded to summon his colleagues.
Mr Jennings said that the present fire brigade dealt with about 120 calls per year. Like Skelmorlie, the new station would provide a speedier turnout, more efficient training facilities and a happier and more congenial atmosphere in which to work.
Rev Houston in his dedication address said it was times like these that made them aware of the element of danger involved in the fire-fighters' job- a risk that never diminished and was more likely to increase than decrease.
The votes of thanks were tendered by Mr Tom Dickie, convener of Cunninghame District Council. He added his own tribute to all those who served the fire service and also praised the attractive design and sound construction of both fire stations.
The Largs station was built by John Moulds (Kilmarnock) Ltd. at a cost of £108,500.
The Skelmorlie station cost £20,646 and was constructed by Firholm Builders Ltd. of Hamilton. The firm presented the station with a dart board for its recreational department to mark the occasion The Largs firemen received a sum of money.
<PHOTO> The unvieling of the plaque at Skelmorlie Fire Station from left Station Officer William McConnell, Councillor_________ , Councillor James McGuire and Councillor Jennings.
<PHOTO> Councillor Jennings performs the unvieling at Largs as from left Cunninghame District Council Convener Tom Dickie, Councillor Wm Donald, Firemaster Richard Knowlton, Station Officer Tom Stevens and Councillor Wilkinson.
( Largs and Millport Weekly News, 7th November 1980, Page 12 )
The two Station Officers in the above mentioned photos were in fact Sub Officers.

OFFICIAL OPENING

Skelmorlie Fire Station

By Councillor James McGuire, J.P.,

Vice-Chairman, Police and Fire Committee 

on Monday, 3rd November, 1980.

Order of Proceedings

Guests Assemble

Platform Party Assemble 

Introductory Remarks
Councillor James Jennings, J.P.
Chairman, Police and Fire Committee 

Unveiling of Commemorative Plaque
Councillor James McGuire, J.P.
Vice-Chairman, Police and Fire Committee 

Dedication
Rev. Peter M. Houston, F.Ph.S.
Strathclyde Fire Brigade Chaplain

Vote of Thanks

Skelmorlie Fire Station 

The initial Site Preparation Contract was commenced on 20th March, 1978, and completed on 1st March, 1979, at a cost of £20,646. The building contract was started on 4th June, 1979, and completed on 7th July, 1980, at a cost of £113,500.
The former fire station, rented from Lorne Garage, Golf Course Road, was inadequate in accommodation and facilities.
The new fire station is built on one level. The appliance room has space for one appliance.
The station is manned by retained personnel consisting of one Sub Officer, one Leading Fireman and eight Firemen. These retained firefighters hold other jobs in the community, but can be called at all times by pocket radio alerters, either from their homes, places of employment or social activities. They attend regular training sessions at the station.
The station area consists of Skelmorlie and the outlying districts. In addition to fires in their own area the firefighters are called upon when required to attend fires in other parts of the Region and frequently work side by side with their full time colleagues.
The station is administered from ‘D’ Division Headquarters at Station Road, Ayr. Inspections, drills and lectures are undertaken by full time officers from ‘D’ Division Headquarters on a regular basis.
The Site
The site is situated on the access road leading from Innes Park Road to Skelmorlie Playing Fields.
During the development of the site it was necessary to provide a right of way to the rear of the fire station for an adjoining property.
During the construction of the fire station, unimpeded access was provided to the Skelmorlie Community Centre and on completion of the fire station a pathway was formed around the eastern boundary.
Adverse ground conditions gave rise to an initial Site Preparation Contract involving the removal of peat and the installation of drainage.
The Design
The design was developed in close consultation with the Client, and has been adopted as a prototype for two other Fire Stations within the Region.
Aimed at a compact and therefore economic solution, the plan embodies minimal circulation area, and achieves a direct relationship of spaces essential to smooth and effective operational procedure.
Internal finishes are durable and easily maintained. Externally, the building is designed to reflect the scale and character of adjoining buildings, featuring slated pitched roofs and walls rendered in keeping with local tradition.
A controlled electrical ceiling heating system is set to ensure the most efficient and economic method of heating the building as required.

Contractors

Site Preparation Contract 

McTaggart Construction Limited
36A Templand Road,
Dalry, Ayrshire.

Building Contract 

Firholm Builders Limited
Cadzow Court,
3 Wellhall Road,
Hamilton.

Architect, Quantity Surveyor, Mechanical & Electrical Engineering. 

Mr. W. Eric Finlayson R.I.B.A., F.R.I.A.S.
Director of Architectural and Related Services,
Strathclyde House,
Glasgow.

Project Architect                                                                                                                                                 Clerk of Works
Mr. P. J. Cronin                                                                                                                                                     Mr. G. Whitestone.

<3 PHOTOS> Councillor James Jennings, J.P., Councillor James McGuire, J.P., Firemaster Richard J. Knowlton Q.F.S.M., F.I.FireE., F.B.I.M. (Head and shoulders)
<2 PHOTOS> The Fire Station. The lecture room.

Strathclyde Regional Council

Volunteer Fire Fighters

<PHOTO> SKELMORLIE
N. McGlinn, R. Maunder, J. McCartney, T. McDougall, A.McGlinn.
M. Bryden, Sub Officer W. McConnell, L/Fm J. Galbraith, N. Smith.
( Largs and Millport Weekly News, 14th November 1980, Page 14 )

Fire Units from five towns tackled an hour long blaze on Friday which partially destroyed the home of Mr and Mrs Michael A. Sinclair Scott at Belsfield, Eglington Terrace, Upper Skelmorlie.
The roof, attic and first floor were destroyed and extensive damage was caused to the ground floor by water and smoke.
Mrs Scott raised the alarm after a passerby saw smoke coming from the roof. In the house with Mrs Scott were her son David and his wife Beatrice.
Mr Scott who is chairman of the Scot Lithgow Shipbuilding group at Greenock and Port Glasgow, was contacted at his office and he arrived to find brigades from Ardrossan, Largs, Skelmorlie, Gourock and Greenock fighting the fire.
Furniture and other articles were carried on to the lawn. David Scott and his wife helped in the work and later a furniture van arrived to take away salvaged goods. Some paintings and silverware were saved but other valuable articles were destroyed or damaged.
A grand piano had to be left in the drawing room on the ground floor, but firemen covered it with waterproof sheets to protect it.
A fire brigade spokesman said: "When we arrived the place was well alight". Four hours after the alarm the building was still smouldering.
Divisional Officer Alexander Walker of Ayr was in command of the 25 firemen who attended the outbreak.
( Largs and Millport Weekly News, 30th March 1973, Page 3 )

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