The Rotary Club of Edinburgh
Bulletin 2255 - 20th April 2009
Easter Monday at the Apex International:
President Tim Simpson welcomed members and guests to the Heights Restaurant in the Apex Hotel on Easter Monday. We would like to encourage as many members as possible to come on bank holiday Mondays since the club is committed to a minimum cost of 50 covers.Tim said grace: For the day and all its pleasures, grateful thanks we render now, may our lives pass on the blessings none can give to us but you.
Secretary’s Announcements:
Attendance: 38 members, no visitors and 1 guest, total 39.Secretary Colin Mackay reminded members of the Musical evening at St. Mary’s Cathedral on 24th April, price £8 – tickets from John Havard.
Colin thanked members of Council for their contributions to the Annual Report.
Alex Gillies is standing in for Stewart Kinsman. Council wishes that any complaints about the Hotel to be made through him and not direct to the staff.
Colin has forms for voting delegates at the RIBI Conference and confirmed that all members who have applied should have received papers.
District Council meets in Lockerbie at 2 pm on Sunday 19th April.
There is an Inner Wheel visit to Glamis Castle on Saturday 18th July, cost £32 + £4 for non NTS members. For those interested contact Mary Fleming 443 4552.
Alex Currie on behalf of the Arts Committee encouraged members to partake in a special Festival Bargain. The Arts Committee has reserved seats in the Usher Hall on Monday, 31st August at 8 pm. for just £ 21.60 you can buy a ticket worth £ 24! This will secure a seat in the rear stalls to hear the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra in a concert conducted by famous musical Watsonian, Donald Runnicles. First come, first served. Speak to Alex Currie (225 7775) for full details. A little bird has told me that the first traunch are sold but Alex has obtained a further 10 tickets so if you are interested be quick! Ed.
President’s Business:
President Tim told members we had understood that James Bruce had cancelled the Challenge Enterprise weekend. However, he has now asked us to do our Saturday afternoon session. Unfortunately, two of the key members of our team are now committed to other things. Tim appealed for two helpers for this Saturday to join John Fordyce and himself.Guest Speaker: Brian Allaway:
President Tim introduced Brian Allaway, Fellow of the institute of Fire Engineers and holder of the Queen’s Fire Service Medal. Brian joined the Belfast Fire service in 1969 and served 25 years in Northern Ireland. He gained considerable operational experience during the most hazardous times. He completed his time there as Divisional Commander in County Armagh. In 1994 he transferred to Lothian & Borders where he became Chief Fire Officer (previously known as Fire Master). He serves on various national advisory bodies.Brian Allaway:
A Reformed Fire Rescue Service: Brian thanked the club for the invitation to speak and said he would attempt to give 2500 years of Fire history in fifteen minutes. He determined to finish by 2 pm as he feared Tim might kick his shins. (Unfortunately the club’s shellaghie was not on display) Brian pointed out that the troubles started in Ireland when he arrived in 1969 and finished when he left in 1994. He claimed that “it wasnae his fault.”, however he had not been in Edinburgh a week before the massive Cowgate fire occurred!Brian told us that organised Fire services were recorded in Roman times when initially slaves were used. They had very little interest in the job and in 3AD the familia republica established a more militarily organised service. If lights were not put out at night, the service could resort to corporal punishment. It worked and Brian hoped for something similar today!
Edinburgh suffered major fires in 1823 and 1824 when most of the Royal Mile was destroyed. In those days fire services were organised by insurance companies who screwed a plaque outside their buildings and only fought their client’s fires. If the next door property was insured elsewhere a rival brigade would arrive and fist fights could break out as they competed for water supplies. Accordingly the Council established the first municipal fire service in the world (disputed by a town in Japan). Twenty-six year old James Braidwood had 12 fire fighters and three horse drawn units at his disposal. In those days the fire wagon carried, apart from the pump and hosed, a barrel of beer! This was not for the firemen but to reward passing citizens who manned the pump levers. Of course sometimes not all the beer was consumed in which case the firemen felt it their duty to finish a job well started. James Braidwood was head hunted by London to set up their Fire Service. He continued to be an active fire officer and was killed fighting a fire at the age of 61. The funeral procession attracted the largest crown since the funeral of the Duke of Wellington. As is often the case, his own city of Edinburgh failed to recognise him until recently when, largely through Brian’s efforts, a statue now stands overlooking the room where today’s politicians decide the future of Edinburgh’s Fire Service.
There was a restructuring of the Fire Service in 1947 but that Act was not updated until 2005. The new Act has moved all aspects of the Fire Service forward and it now includes the Rescue Service, including training for calamities, terrorist attacks and the more usual rescue of people from car accidents, buildings and the like. They are now committed to visit 500,000 homes in the area to advise on fire protection and are two thirds of the way through. Smoke alarms are free and a reduction of 26% in fire injuries has resulted in the first three years. Brian warned us all to be vigilant in the prevention of fire.