1 Pump Retained.

? to?

? to 1955                         Premises belonging to a butcher

30/4/1955                        Lesmahagow Road, STRATHAVEN. ML10 0DT.            Photo

Notes

The Lanarkshire Fire Area Administration Scheme Order, 1948

Establishment 2000

<PHOTO> Councillor John Fox opens the new fire station. Immediately behind him is Firemaster A.H. Nisbet. A report of the opening (with pictures) is on page 25.
(The Hamilton Advertiser, May 7, 1955. Page 23.)

New Fire Station Opened At Strathaven

Building the Fulfilment of County Committee’s Old Promise

ERECTED AT COST OF £8000

The first of a number of new fire stations to be built in Lanarkshire was opened at Strathaven last Saturday, by Councillor John Fox, chairman of the County Fire Brigade Joint Committee. The new building cost £8,000.
At the opening ceremony there were representatives of the Scottish Home Department, the Fire Brigade Committee and other fire services, the contractors, the builders, and members of the County Council and the Fourth District Council.
Councillor Fox began the ceremony by operating a new calling out system for part time fire services which brought the firemen - one from each station in the County - from the old station in Strathaven to the new building where they went through a short drill exercise.
Councillor Fox said it had been along time since he had promised the Strathaven personnel a new fire station and he was very glad indeed that he had been able to keep that promise. They had the honour of having the first of a number of new stations which were going to be opened in the County.
He knew from a close association with the members of the Strathaven service just how hard they had worked to have the station ready on time. In declaring the new building open, he had pleasure in handing over the key to Sub Officer William McKay.
At the dinner which followed in the Sun Hotel Firemaster A. S. Nisbet gave a warm welcome to the guests. Unfortunately, he said, Sir Charles Cunningham and Mr A.F.C. Clark, both of the Scottish Home Department, had been unable to attended. However, he was glad to see Mr R. S. Nixon, also of the S.H.D., and Mr A.D. Wilson, HM Inspector of Fire Services (Scotland), in attendance, and also Firemaster J.T. Davidson Central  Area Fire Brigade, and Firemaster H.R. McKay, South West Area Brigade.
Firemaster Nisbet said that during the tour through the new station they would probably have noticed artist’s impressions of the new stations which were being, or would be built at Hamilton, Lanark and Coatbridge. These would give them an indication of the high standard that was being set in Lanarkshire.

A Friend to the Community

Councillor Fox said that there had been a fire service in Strathaven for the past 100 years, and they had records of events which had taken place in the town during that time. These records made them feel that a good fire service, no matter where it was could be a great friend to the Community. The people of Lanarkshire would benefit from the fact that the Fire Brigade Committee were cognisant of the need for a good fire service in the County.
When he took over the chairmanship of the committee, said Councillor Fox the Strathaven had been housed in the old jail, which had been very unsuitable and any chance of an efficient fire service operating from it had been pretty poor. From there they had moved into premises belonging to a butcher, but they had always been under the threat of having to vacate the place at short notice. He had seen and appreciated the difficulties under which they were operating, and he had promised them better premise - they had seen the result of the promise that afternoon.
The new station, he said, ought not to have been opened for another two or three weeks, but that would have taken them right into the middle of the election campaign, and it had been decided to open it earlier.

Retained Men’s Wonderful Spirit

He was glad to have the opportunity of thanking the builders and contractors, the firemen and the retained firemen, who had helped to get the station ready in time. Of the retained men, Councillor Fox said that, in addition to carrying out their normal work, these men had worked hard, sometimes until after midnight, to make sure the station would be completed in time. This, he thought, was a wonderful spirit. The full time firemen in the county were very loyal people. They were given the best possible conditions, and they responded to them. However, they had no such binding authority on retained firemen, and it was a credit to them that they had done so much to have the station completed.
Before concluding, Councillor Fox paid tribute to the good work that had been done by Mrs R.J.J. Elder, who had been  a “great friend to the firemen.”
Mr Nixon said that one of the things which impressed them greatly in the Home Department was the amount of work put in by the Lanarkshire Fire Brigade Joint Committee and its officials.
He remarked jocularly that he had heard the efficiency of the Lanarkshire Fire Brigade stressed many times, but he had noticed that the fire insurance rates in the area were not much below those in other parts of the country!
On behalf of his colleagues he expressed his thanks for the “characteristic hospitality” that had been shown to them.
Mr Lennox D. Paterson, the architect, on behalf of the surveyor, contractors, and himself, presented a gold watch to Councillor Fox on the occasion of the opening of the new fire station, and presented a novelty key to Firemaster Nisbet. Both men suitably replied.
Other speakers were Mr John Ewing, chairman of the Fourth District Council, and Mr Jack London (Home Department). A vote of thanks was proposed by Firemaster Davidson.
The station is built on modern lines and incorporates the latest planning features advocated by the Home Office Committee on Fire Stations. The accommodation is planned round the appliance room and includes a muster bay, equipment room, kitchens, ablutions, drying room, and heating chamber. The site was originally occupied by some of the oldest buildings in Strathaven, and built into the front wall is an old marriage lintel taken from one of the demolished buildings.
<PHOTOS> Above: Councillor Fox puts the new calling out system into operation. Top right: The men at the old fire station speedily answer the call, and race to the fire engine. Below: On arrival at the new station the men carry out a short exercise. Looking on are Councillor Fox and Firemaster Nisbet. Bottom Left: The exercise completed, the firemen stand to attention as Councillor Fox compliments them on their work. Bottom Right: After opening the new station Councillor Fox hands over the key to Sub Officer McKay.
(The Hamilton Advertiser, May 7, 1955. Page 25)

The photos described above are not on this WEB site.

 2003 Extension being built to station (front right) for female/male toilets, locker rooms, muster bay and disabled toilets.

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

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