London Road Fire Station
What can I add that's not already been said?
I lived there as a boy from birth in 69, until 1974. My old man was a serving fireman there - along with my 3 uncle's. He was the second to last fireman to leave on the final day on moving to Thompson St.
Before it's closure, a series called happy families was filmed there. a true ben Elton & Richard Curtis comedy. Rick Mayall, Ade edmundson, Ben Elton etc were all there for filming.
Back in 1994 I took my Mrs along take have a nosey around. We walked along the first floor balcony and got inside the building. We made our way down the drill tower into the old police station. The cell were in tact with a newspaper on the floor from 1979.
The custody area was untouched. A bit dusty, a bit musty, but in full working order.
(The coroners office was still open when I visited, but I believe that has now moved??)
Made my way round to the offices where the admin area of the station was. Every office on the first and second floor had a firemans pole into the engine house, tucked into the corner of the room surrounded by a big semi circular wooden door.
I made the mistake of sliding down the two poles, only to find the door to the engine house padlocked. It took me 30 mins to 'cling' back up to the office.
It brough back so many memories being there.
Bob Bonner wrote a superb book on the history of London Road.
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