Freiwillige Feuerwehr Schonstadt

During the last 11 years the Preservation Group has forged links with the Freiwillige Feuerwehr Schonstadt – Schonstadt Volunteer Fire Brigade in Germany. 2006 Marked their 100th Anniversary and our group was invited to attend the celebratory events and the Oldtimer Festival in Schonstadt.
Fire and Rescue Services from all over Europe took part and it was a great honour for Strathclyde Fire Brigade Preservation Group to represent Strathclyde and Scotland at the event.

Our journey to Schonstadt began on Thursday 1st June. 13 Members of Strathclyde Fire Brigade Preservation Group met up at the Glasgow depot of the transport company Kerr and Smith. Our connection with this company is that one partner of the firm, Jim Smith is a retained Station Officer with Strathclyde Fire and Rescue and a preserved fire appliance enthusiast and collector, who has on numerous occasions assisted our group with various preservation projects. Kerr and Smith had agreed to sponsor our trip by providing us with an Iveco Stralis unit and low loader, a Minibus and also covering our fuel costs.

We were joined by Dennis Scott with his Dennis F26 Pump Escape, who had driven down from Aberdeen that morning. The other vehicle in the convoy was a 1963 Landrover Redwing fire appliance immaculately restored by it’s owner David McAusland, a former Workshop Manager with Strathclyde Fire and Rescue. The first appliance to be loaded was the 1958 Dennis F8 Water Tender. This appliance originally served at Greenock Fire Station from 1958 until 1976 when it was disposed of by auction in Glasgow. It was purchased in 1996 and restoration to original condition and livery took 5 years to complete. The Dennis F26 was next to be loaded. This appliance served with North Eastern Fire Brigade and was then purchased by it’s present owner Dennis Scott who restored it. Loading of the appliances went well but due to height restrictions on the German Autobahns, we had to remove the front wheels on the F26 and the Ajax extension ladder on the F8. Anxious moments followed and after measuring and re-measuring we managed to achieve the necessary height to allow safe passage under the German and Belgium bridges. Our convoy comprising of the unit and low loader, minibus and Landrover set off at 12.30pm.

We arrived at the Rosyth ferry terminal and the Superfast ferry left on time at 5.00pm.

After an extremely quick disembarkation at Zeebrugge, our convoy started the 330 mile journey to Schonstadt. Unfortunately, a major road traffic accident on the main E30 motorway had forced it’s closure and we were diverted onto various side roads and as a consequence we became separated and each went their own way. The detour added many kilometres onto our journey with the Landrover fairing worst of all but we all made it safely to Schonstadt, very tired but extremely pleased and relieved to be there.

The welcome and hospitality we received from our German hosts was exceptional.

During the two day event our collection of vehicles attracted considerable interest with our piper – retired Fire Brigade Officer Tommy Trotter entertaining the ever growing audience with his repertoire of traditional Scottish bagpipe music. Free samples of best Scotch malt whisky and shortbread also helped to maintain the interest!

Our attendance at Schonstadt was an outstanding success. Existing friendships were strengthened and many new friends were made among the visiting organisations and brigades.

All too soon our adventure was at an end and it was time to load up and head back to Zeebrugge. We had decided to break the return journey and arranged overnight accommodation at the Joint Forces Army Base at Rhinedalen. Parking for the vehicles was possible in the base fire station and our thanks go to ADO Ivan Hunt, the senior base fire officer for his assistance.

The drive from Rhinedalen to Zeebrugge was without incident and we sailed from the Belgium port on time and left in brilliant sunshine with all available deck chairs being very quickly snapped up to enjoy the evening sun.

On our return to Rosyth, Dennis Scott and his F26 left us for us for Aberdeen. The Dennis F8 was driven off at Baillieston and we all left and went our separate ways. Our adventure was at an end.

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