Notes

THE NEW FIRE STATION OPENS WITH A WARNING

If the giant Strathclyde Region does not "play the game" local government will be a "fiasco", the guests at the opening of Helensburgh's new fire station heard on Wednesday.
Councillor Michael Kelly, O.B.E., J.P., chairman of the Central Fire Joint Committee told the audience at the official opening: "It will be a sad loss to the fire service that the Central Area will be enveloped by big brother."
"I would hope that the new regions will play the game with the smaller Burghs and treat them as partners and not serfs. Unless they do local government will be a complete fiasco."
But Councillor Kelly was not the only one who had a bad word for local government re-organisation. Central Area Firemaster Sam Park said: "I would be wrong if I said I was looking forward to regionalisation."
"I am not. I do not think it is a good thing for the fire service which was already partially regionalised. There were only 11 brigades in Scotland and I personally think they could have left us alone."
He added: "I am convinced that the Central Area Fire Service joint committee is handing over to two regions, Strathclyde and Central, a very efficient and well stocked brigade.
"I took over in 1962 and I have cost the ratepayers an awful lot of money. But I believe they have been given a good return. A fire brigade is only as good as the men in it, and Dunbartonshire is served by the finest bunch of men in Britain."
Mr Park, in formally accepting the new fire station told the audience that it would be in his charge for only a week and would then be handed over.
The formal opening was performed by Councillor Kelly, who served on the joint committee for some 40 years, and he unveiled a plaque to mark the occasion.
Councillor Kelly was presented with a miniature fire master's hat as a souvenir, as was Dr Bill Irving, the fire brigade's doctor. Mr John Haughey of the Scottish Home and Health Department paid tribute to the committee and told the audience that many of the suggestions made by the committee over the years were still being heeded.
Mr Donald Jamieson of the Station Bar was presented with a Fire Service National Benevolent Fund certificate for outstanding effort for the fund. The Queen's Long Service and Good Conduct medals were presented to sub officer Ian Pollock and retired fireman Andy Finlay by Mr Park, who congratulated the men.
When the ceremony was over the guests, who included County Convener Billy Petrie and his wife and Commodore Clyde, Commodore Tony Cook were conducted round the new building before tea was served. The Chairman for the day was Councillor Edward Denny, vice chairman of the joint fire committee.
(Helensburgh Advertiser 9/5/1975)

Craigendoran Pier was a blaze of red and yellow flames on Saturday evening as fire gutted the former British Rail offices of the now defunct steamer services.
Fishermen standing on the platform at Craigendoran Railway Station watched in amazement as the old buildings caught fire. They ran to the senior railwayman, Mr Eddie Graham, who telephone the police.
"Five minutes later I phoned the fire brigade myself," Mr Graham told the "Times." "They said they were on their way."
But by the time the Brigade reached the pier, the timber building was firmly in the grip of the fire.

Extracts from Helensburgh Town Council Minutes 1887 to 1931.  (70 KB)

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