THE early days of the fire service in Grange emerged from a talk given by one of its key members back in 1957.

Ben Ward, of the Grange Fire Brigade, was the guest speaker at the town’s Rotary Club which was reported in the Barrow News on January 4.

It noted: “Mr Ward, who is probably the busiest man in Grange, is among many other things the station leader of the Grange Fire Service, a volunteer fire brigade which is recognised as one of the best in the country.

“When the brigade was formed in 1902 it comprised local business men and Mr Ward mentioned their names.

“Those who are alive and well today are Mr T. Huddleston, who was then the council surveyor and James Spedding, who lives in Fernleigh Road.

“Others mentioned were the Reverend G. Vickers Gaskell, who was the vicar of Grange; Mr S. Broadbent, a fish, game and poultry dealer: John Chippendale, a builder; Mr E. Rigg, a coal merchant; Mr J. W. Braithwaite, a plumber and decorator and Mr A. Nelson, a builder.

“At on time the firemen had to draw a handcart, later a horse-drawn fire engine was driven by Mr J. Spedding.

“Today the brigade has the finest mechanical equipment.

“The present strength is 18 men employed in various walks of life.

“Last year the brigade made a record when seven of its members were awarded the Queen’s Long Service Medal at the same time.”