C24 ABINGTON

1 Pump Retained

Stations

 

1950                                Garages at rear of Abington Hotel.

10/11/1964                      Station Road, Abington, ML12 6RZ.                Photos

 

Firemasters

1964 Sub Officer John Taylor B.E.M.
? to Dec 1983 Sub Officer Drew Somerville
? Sub Officer Rab Brown
2001 Sub Officer David Abernethy
2015? Watch Manager Billy Sim?
2018 Watch Manager David Abernethy (there March 2022)

 

Appliances

1976 KVD597L Dennis D/Dennis WrT
1983 AVD280J Dennis F45/Dennis WrT
1989 A817XSJ Bedford KG/Fulton and Wylie Fire Warrior WrT
1994 E141XDS Scania 82M/Fulton and Wylie WrL
1998? J172GUS Scania 93M-210/Emergency One WrL
2005 M335DSU Volvo FL6-18/Emergency One WrL
2008 SG02UKJ Scania 94D-260/Emergency One RPL
2017 Nov SF06GBU Scania P270/JDC RPL
2022 March SF13GXT Scania P280/JDC/Polybilt RP

 

Notes

 

1941 to 1948 National Fire Service
1948 to 1975 Lanarkshire Fire Brigade
1975 to 2005 Strathclyde Fire Brigade
2005 to 2013 Strathclyde Fire & Rescue (Name change only.)
1/4/2013 Scottish Fire and Rescue Service

 

The Lanarkshire Fire Area Administration Scheme Order, 1948

  Equipment Retained
  1 Towing Vehicle 1 Leading Fireman
  1 Large Trailer Pump 9 Firemen

  

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, Abington was changed from P15 to C24.

Abington
Present
No accommodation is owned or rented by the Fire Brigade. A lock up is given free of charge by the Owner of the Abington Hotel which is all that is available to the Brigade.
Progress
Since May, 1948, the Unit in Abington has been instituted but as can be expected there is no property available in this small village that can be taken over as a Fire Station. Various sites have been examined and it is hoped to make some progress at an early date.
Long Term Plan
There is nothing in Abington that can be taken over and adapted and the provision of accommodation can only be accomplished by the building of a new Station. It is hoped to find a site and have plans prepared in order that building can take place as early as possible but preferably at the end of 1951.
(From a report on the Accommodation in Lanarkshire Fire Brigade by Firemaster Nisbet, 25/11/1950)

New Fire Station Opened 

It was a proud night on Tuesday for Abington and district when County Councillor Donald C. Mavor (Crawford) opened the new £9000 fire station by cutting a white ribbon stretched across the doors of the appliance room.
For years the part time men of the Abington unit have provided a service from a garage situated at the rear of a hotel. Now operations will be conducted from their own single bay headquarters giving fire protection on the A74 main highway to the south, and containing appliance room, muster and recreation room, watchroom, up to date kitchen, and shower baths.
An automatic call out system can be operated locally, from Lanark, or from the area headquarters at Motherwell.
With fifty guests of the Lanarkshire Fire Brigade Joint Committee present, Councillor Mavor said Abington and district had “waited a long time” for this station, and the Rev. C. Vincent Williams, Crawfordjohn and Abington, dedicating the station, described it as “a dream cherished by many people for many years.”
Mr James Aiton, County Convener and chairman of the Fire Brigade Joint Committee, invited Councillor Mavor to unveil a commemorative plaque in the foyer. An inspection of the appliance and crew then took place in the station yard.
At dinner later in the Hartree Hotel, Biggar, speakers included Mr A. D. Wilson, H.M. Inspector of Fire Services for Scotland, who said the opening was a milestone for the service in Lanarkshire. The new station was the first opened in the County since Mr John Stewart became firemaster, and he was sure it would be the beginning of a great many improvements carried out under his guidance.
Mr Wilson added: “The men at Abington have stood up to indifferent conditions, but are now based in a building measuring up to their highest expectations. Their patience has already been rewarded by the presentation of the British Empire Medal to their leader, Sub Officer John Taylor.”
Mr John A. Whyte, architect, presented Councillor Mavor with a radio on behalf of the building contractors and tradesmen. A vote of thanks at the end was proposed by County Councillor George T. Smith (Avondale).
(The Hamilton Advertiser, Friday 15th November, 1964. Page 9)

 

STATION IN HARMONY 

This new single bay retained station, which blends so well with its environment, has been built at Abington, Lanarkshire, at a cost of £9,000. It provides up to date facilities for the retained men who cover a large area of southern Lanarkshire, including the A74 main highway to the south.
The station incorporates appliance room, muster and recreation room, watchroom, modern kitchen and shower baths. The DX system is used for callout.
Mr. James Aiton, County Convener of Lanarkshire, presided at the opening ceremony and County Councillor D. C. Mavor, Member of the Lanarkshire Fire Brigade Joint Committee, officially declared the station open. After the opening ceremony guests were entertained to dinner at Hartree Hotel, Biggar, and the speakers included Mr. A. D. Wilson, HM Inspector of Fire Services for Scotland, who said, “the opening was a milestone for the Service in Lanarkshire”
(Fire Magazine, February, 1965. Page 462.)

Station occupied 22/7/1964, Officially Opened 10/11/1964.

 

If you know of any mistakes in this or have any additional information please let me know.

 

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