 |
Home
Stalham Old Firehouse and Clink - Editorial
Old fire station has new beginning
|
|
|
|
Stalham Old Firehouse and Clink - Editorial
Location: Norfolk
 Some projects have hundreds of volunteers, others just a handful, such as the Stalham Old Firehouse and Clink project, which has just 4 members. It’s amazing what a few people can do, with lots of enthusiasm, favours and hard graft.
The project started when Christine Lloyd set about saving the ramshackle firehouse in Stalham. After passing the tumbledown building, which appeared to be held up by ivy rather than bricks and mortar, she grew tired of seeing it so neglected.
With a little help from the LHI, and funding from the local council, the small team set about getting quotes to help with the preservation of the Grade II listed building, which is the second oldest firehouse in the UK.
  I was very fortunate in the application to the LHI. Their forms were brilliant, so simple and straightforward, and within weeks I had a very helpful telephone call.
Repairs had to be done to brickwork, the roof had to be stripped of five year old ivy and the old doors, which had succumbed to woodworm, had to be replaced. A retired carpenter stepped in to help and before long, the old station was graced with a new entrance. The design followed the lines of real fire stations – handy for allowing the public to view the contents, which came to include a fire engine acquired from the Bressingham Fire Museum. Other treasures include old pieces of fire fighting equipment, a wartime pump and two greatcoats.
Eventually the hard work paid off, and the Stalham Old Firehouse and Clink was officially opened in November 2002, by the local MP and Sylvia and other team members. What’s next for the team members? Installation of a main power supply cable to allow the Old Firehouse to open fully to the public. Visitors will be to see books on display and photos of past fires, which have proved to be of great interest on the few days the firehouse has been open so far.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
