The Marple

In 1994 John Clark, then Officer In Charge of Marple fire station, put together a booklet called 'FIREMAN' which covered the history of the fire brigade in Marple up until that time. I have been asked, as a former holder of the same post, if I could update this history as part of Marple Website's History & Heritage series.

Although records show that as early as 1908 the ratepayers of Marple Urban District Council were paying 0.4 pence in the pound towards the upkeep of a Fire Brigade, it was not until after the Great War that what we would today call a Fire Brigade actually began to take shape.

The first appliance was a Hand Pump mounted onto a handcart. When alerted of a fire it was council workers, also acting as Firemen, who would collect this cart and race to the scene of the conflagration. The men's houses would be identified by having a cast iron plate fixed above the door, not dissimilar to the old street signs, but simply bearing the word 'FIREMAN', so that any person discovering a fire would know who to contact. These men could, if the situation was beyond their resources, call on the help of the larger brigades in Stockport or Glossop.

Marple's fire engine and crew in 1939

In 1938, Marple opened its own Fire Station by converting the stables of the former home of the Carver family, Hollins House. Although basic in its facilities, (the village mortuary was on the first floor!!!) it continued to house the appliances for the next 31 years. On 21st May 1969, now under the command of Cheshire County Fire Brigade, the first purpose built Marple Fire Station was officially opened for business by The Viscount Leverhulme, TD, Lord Lieutenant of Cheshire.

By this time the station was operating the retained system of cover. Local men who lived and often worked within a quarter of a mile of the station would, during the daytime, be turned out by the actuation of an air raid siren situated on top of the station, or at night by bells fitted to their homes. They were normally expected to give in the region of 100 to 120 hours cover per week and for this they received a retaining fee and extra payment for turnouts and drill sessions. The majority of Retained Fire-fighters that I have met over the years however, do not do it for the money, they do it to give something back to their community and for the excitement. A retained system is still operated in Marple to this day but with the addition, in 1976, of 7 whole-time fire-fighters - a system called Nucleus Manning that guarantees cover during the weekdays when the retained have to concentrate on their full time jobs. Gone are the days when, at the sound of the siren, shopkeepers such as Harold Higginbotham or Bill Bradbury would shut up their shops on Stockport Road and Market Street respectively and rush off to the station.

In 1974 following the Local Government re-organisation the fire station became part of the new Greater Manchester Fire Service. However, for the firemen, with the exception of new cap badges, little changed. In 1976 the station got its first full time Sub Officer in Phil Robinson, who began the task of overcoming the long standing rivalry between Retained and Whole-time fire-fighters and building an effective team. This was achieved both by him and respective Officers in Charge and although a friendly rivalry and banter still exists, the crews at Marple today work together as one tight unit dedicated to safeguarding the public's welfare.

There has always been a very strong feeling of being part of the community amongst Marple crews over the years and this has shown itself in many forms.

Harold Higginbottom

In the mid 1960's the station, still at this time situated in Memorial Park, held its first 'Open Day'. Members of the public were invited to "Inspect the Station and Appliances". It was a very formal affair designed to show the public how discipline forged an efficient Fire Brigade. The more recent Open Days, like the one held in 2001 tend to show people a more open picture of life in the modern Fire Service. They perform live scenarios and utilise equipment such as smoke chambers, giving people the chance to experience what it is like to be in a fire or rescue situation. With displays such as those showing the dangers of chip pan fires the aim is to educate and advise, the focus very much upon prevention.

In 1998 the station received a real treat, for the first time in its history it was to receive a brand new fire engine. It had always been the practice to post new appliances at busy stations first, in order to get the best from the manufacturers warranty, as a result Marple's appliances had always been 'broken in' by the likes of Moss Side or King St, Stockport. A change in arrangements now meant that it was possible for us to get our own machine unspoilt by others, an occasion which filled all with pride. In due course a Volvo appliance complete with 4500 litre per minute pump arrived. A period of re-training had to take place in order to familiarise crews with the high tech equipment, no longer was there a need to remember which pressures went with which nozzles, a computerised flow meter did all that for you, a long way from the hand cart of the council yard days!

Although my personal connections with Marple Fire Station ended in 2000 the station continues to progress into the new millennium. The equipment gets more technical, the tasks asked of the Firemen get more and more diverse and the turnouts per annum continue to increase. Last year as part of yet another re-organisation Marple was made part of South Command, one of 3 commands in G.M.C. Fire Service and one which covers large areas of Stockport, South Manchester and Tameside. The future of 'our' station seems secure and hopefully generations to come will continue to have the benefit of a Fire Brigade in the heart of Marple.

Don't forget to get in touch with Mark or Peter using our contact us page if you have anything interesting to share regarding Marple's history and heritage.