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With the increase in traffic on the river, and the floods often experienced by the town, an appeal was launched to purchase a rescue boat for the fire brigade.
From the Upton News, Issue No 20, May 1999
I am pleased to say that the day has finally arrived that after 12 months almost to the day, after the last Easter floods, the local crew has finally been to train on the new Community Rescue Boat. The time taken from last Easter until now to say the least, has been very frustrating both to the local crew, but equally to the Upton Community Boat fund and all the vast support shown by local people in generating the funds which we had available last September! Before I go into detail as to the why and wherefore as to how much time can be taken on such an important subject, I would like to explain more fully some of the very significant developments which did happen during the 12 months in assisting the funds to be generated.
Two principal breakthroughs in achieving the final monetary target were the great assistance shown by Jean Barden following the sad loss of Maurice Owen. Jean very kindly made the boat project the subject for donations in Maurice's memory and generated a very substantial amount of monies.
Equally tremendous support was given by Ken Harris in providing the Conway Castle for a night's disco; this following last August's Water Festival weekend and again this raised a very substantial amount of monies. Add to this the splendid support shown by it seems the world and his friend, we achieved our target so quickly.
A development then occurred which changed the whole specification of the boat project, this was created by a local couple, Lambert and Ruth Bignell from Holly Green, who actually donated a much superior specification Avon boat together with a Mercury 100 horse engine. The initial proposed rescue boat was going to be of a smaller size with a lower power engine, but once the alternative boat had been reviewed by a Marine Surveyor, it was proven to be a much superior specification, only requiring a slightly more powerful engine to meet the Brigade requirements. The very generous gift by Lambert and Ruth enabled the project to move in a different direction in terms of us looking at far better equipment and to say that we are grateful to the Bignell's for their donation is perhaps the understatement of the Century, noting that if we had followed our original course, which to be fair was within the Brigade style of existing equipment, then we would not have achieved the standard that we are now presented with in terms of the size, power and overall equipment package.
I will admit the 12 months has been an agonising period of time causing great frustration within the fire crew and the supporting Community Boat Committee, but the Fire Service works in a particular way!
Following lessons learnt after the Easter floods, it was decided to carry out a full evaluation of the method and style of equipment used by the Fire Service and it highlighted weaknesses in terms of the new conditions that we are now faced with within the changing weather circumstances. The whole question of boat operation and safety was given over to the Brigade Technical Services Department, which ironically are temporarily based at Upton Station, and they finally completed their research and evaluation by March of this year: this has resulted in the Hereford and Worcester Fire Service Boat Crews having one of the most up-to-date packages of Health and Safety equipment of any Fire Service within the UK. We now have available both specialist dry suits and also what are termed as immersion suits; these are very high quality weather protecting suits which are for when the operator is not required to be within the water: add to this the new style protective helmets which have been developed by the RNLI and we are now able to combat most known situations.
Once the evaluation was completed we were then cleared to arrange training and, between the 6th and 10th April, the first four boat operators were trained by the Brigade in-house Instructors: we are now arranging the next four trainees to go through in approximately two weeks time.
Although we have had a hand-over ceremony at the last Open Day in September, due to the change in specification with the style of the boat etc., it is now proposed to carry out a full official hand-over on Monday 10th May 1999 at the Town Moorings by the side of the Conway Castle mooring. Can I take this opportunity to express the fire crew's thanks to everybody that has assisted in this project and its successful conclusion?
Sub-Officer Dave Walker, Officer in Charge. Upton Fire Station
In advance of the official presentation to the Fire Brigade, the boat was unveiled to the people of Upton at the Open Day in 1998.
Plenty of entertainment was laid on to suit all ages...
...including a ride on a fire engine
With music, lights, smoke and the fire engine in the background, the boat is unveiled.
But, watch that wheel!
Oh oh!
All's well!
The boat
