• Welcome to this forum . We are a worldwide group with a common interest in Birmingham and its history. While here, please follow a few simple rules. We ask that you respect other members, thank those who have helped you and please keep your contributions on-topic with the thread.

    We do hope you enjoy your visit. BHF Admin Team
  • HI folks the server that hosts the site completely died including the Hdd's and backups.
    Luckily i create an offsite backup once a week! this has now been restored so we have lost a few days posts.
    im still fixing things at the moment so bear with me and im still working on all images 90% are fine the others im working on now
    we are now using a backup solution

Central Fire Station Hq

i wonder if you remember my Dad Arthur Davenport, He was stationed at central for about 30 years . he retired c1976 Clive
fireman42 said:
Re; Central Fire Station.
I served at Central for just over two years in the early 60's and seeing the pictures brought back some great memories. I did my initial training there as did many others from other Midland Fire Services. The BA tunnels still sooty and the crawling racks still there. I climbed the tower on the outside on hook ladder many times. Shortsighted decisions taken in haste by local council. It can never be re-built so leave it alone and as previously suggested turn it into a museum.
Click to expand...
 
its seems that quite a lot of us think a museum would be a good idea for the old fire station....:) but we should not hold our breath for this happening....i am now making some more enquires as to the future of it..will get back to you when i know something...

lyn
 
Hello there Davenport.

I recall your Dad, Arthur, quite well, for I was also a member of Blue Watch at Central. I was there during the early 70's when your Dad was a senior member of the watch and approaching retirement.

In those days, Central was a "proper" fire station and each watch had over 30 men, manning around 10 appliances of various sorts, working a basic 56 hour week plus overtime.

Arthur was well regarded and respected by all who knew him and would pass on advice and his experience to young firemen ( as I was then ) readily.

Later, I transferred from Central and used to meet your Dad, who worked in Brigade Stores after his retirement, whenever he was out and about on the mobile uniform van and we always found time for a natter and a cup of tea.

A sad loss when he went, but always remembered with pleasant thoughts.

Regards,

Chris.

Davenport said:
i wonder if you remember my Dad Arthur Davenport, He was stationed at central for about 30 years . he retired c1976 Clive
Click to expand...
 
Hello Chris and thank you for your kind words. Dad really enjoyed the Brigade although he did not talk about the job at home much as far as i remember. It was such a shame he passed away at such an early age, he would have enjoyed his retirement in the garden so much. Mom at 86 is still with us. I have quite a few old photo's of Central Fire station, one showing every door bay open with an appliance ready to go ! how old fasioned the turntable ladder appliaces look. others showing a line up of firemen. It would be a great idea for a museum of the Fire Service where a lot of this type of memorabilia could be on view. When Dad retired he was presented with an old Fire engine bell that was mounted on a polished wooden plinth,this would make a lovely (loaned )exhibit. best regards Clive.
Selly Oak boy. said:
Hello there Davenport.

I recall your Dad, Arthur, quite well, for I was also a member of Blue Watch at Central. I was there during the early 70's when your Dad was a senior member of the watch and approaching retirement.

In those days, Central was a "proper" fire station and each watch had over 30 men, manning around 10 appliances of various sorts, working a basic 56 hour week plus overtime.

Arthur was well regarded and respected by all who knew him and would pass on advice and his experience to young firemen ( as I was then ) readily.

Later, I transferred from Central and used to meet your Dad, who worked in Brigade Stores after his retirement, whenever he was out and about on the mobile uniform van and we always found time for a natter and a cup of tea.

A sad loss when he went, but always remembered with pleasant thoughts.

Regards,

Chris.
Click to expand...
 
I have a picture of my grandad William Pegg in the control room at the Central fire station during the war.I also have some old post cards that might be of interest. Look out for them on the site , I need to find them .
Annie
 
hi annie we would indeed love to see the photo of your grandad and any postcards you have....will keep em peeled...

lyn
 
hi folks..just been told that all plans are still on hold for the station as the developer has no money..chris hargreaves who was the conservation officer has now retired so when i have time i will try and find out who has taken his place and make further enquires...but for now the interior is still safe:):)

lyn
 
What's the betting the conservatioin officer is one of the posts that will disappear?
mike
 
alas you are probably right there mike...will let you know as soon as can find out whats what and whos who lol...

lyn
 
Great to see pictures of central Fire station.Did my training there when started out on Birmingham Ambulance in early 1970s.I live in Dorset now and went recently Lulworth Castle and on display there is bicycle with basket on the front and Birmingham Fire and Ambulance Service sign and logo.I wrote and enquired awhere they got it from,but unfortunatly no records.Strange to see it down here in Dorset
 
Thank you Derelict UK for some of the most fascinating photo`s I`ve ever seen. Who would believe the beauty disguised behind that facade. Many thanks again.
 
I walk past here every lunchtime from work. Not sure what they are doing inside of it now.

A few photos I took 2 years ago


West Midlands Fire Service Headquarters by ell brown, on Flickr


West Midlands Fire Service Headquarters by ell brown, on Flickr

Last time I took photos of the Forward coat of arms


Forward - West Midlands Fire Service by ell brown, on Flickr


Forward - West Midlands Fire Service by ell brown, on Flickr

This is near one of the subways (Potters Subway)


Max Height signs at the back of Aston University by ell brown, on Flickr
 
With all the noise going on at the Aston University demolition site (on the other side of Aston Street) it makes it sound like they are doing something inside the old HQ, but am sure it is the demolition work on the Aston Uni site (and not the HQ).
 
hope you are right ell..ive emailed someone who will be able to update us as to whats going on with the station...as soon as i receive a reply i will post any news..

lyn
 
I noticed that the gate was open today at the front. Not sure why though.

I once went inside for a job interview (around 4 years ago) but didn't get it (admin based).

Think the new HQ is in the Vauxhall area (although I haven't seen it yet).

The old one only says "West Midlands" on it now rather than "West Midlands Fire Service" as it once did.

Is hard to not look at the demolition site next door, they just blew up the two towers at the weekend.

They had to be careful as there is Victorian water and gas mains.

Aston University tower blocks demolished

'Vibration damage'

He said: "The logistics of working on a live campus, live services - there were a lot of services that had to be diverted in and around the site before the implosion could take place.
"We also had complications of a Victorian water main and gas mains and adjacent footpath that had to monitored on the day in case of any vibration damage."
Click to expand...


Aston University - After the towers have gone by ell brown, on Flickr
 
Think the new HQ is in the Vauxhall area

It is located on the Vauxhall Rd on the site of the old Co-op Dairy. Dek
 
l was born in central firestation 1938 and lived ther until 1949. l am very sad to see demise of central.My father was a fireman during the war and after and both my parents lived happily there, my mother was sad to leave it ,was like living in a village in the centre of birmingham. J,Rayns
 
hi firemans daughter and a warm welcome to the forum...well how absolutely fascinating that you were born inside the station..please if you have anymore memories of your time there or any photos that you could post on the forum we would love to hear about both...

lyn.
 
Remember the canteen and the social club inside central.Done my 6 weeks initial Ambulance service training there.Would call into A1 on regular basis for years afterwards and got to know many of the fireman there.Loved the flats around the main courtyard how interesting to have been born there and lived there as a child. Always remember the main staircase always smelled of wax furniture polish,Spent many hours learning how to use a carrying chair up and down that staircase
 
Hi Firmans daughter Janet
I am the daughter of Pamela Pegg. Mum said do you remember the parties as a child and the concert parties run by Mrs Alden that grandmar sang in. Mum said she felt very safe in the war living at the station and remembers going down to the underground training tunnels to sleep during the bombing. Mum also remembered the night the station was hit by incendry bombs and mrs Brows flat next door to them was hit. What a terrible mess it made.
Nanny sadley passed away in 2008 aged 97 but had many stories to tell of her time living there.
Check out annieapple to read my posts as there are a few interestring photos.
Mum sends her best wishes
Annie
 
Reading that there are plans to convert this into student accommodation, and plans to build a tower on here, I decided to get some photos on a walk around the outside of it.

View from James Watt Queensway


Former West Midlands Fire Service Headquarters building by ell brown, on Flickr

Lancaster Circus


Former West Midlands Fire Service Headquarters building by ell brown, on Flickr


Former West Midlands Fire Service Headquarters building by ell brown, on Flickr


Former West Midlands Fire Service Headquarters building by ell brown, on Flickr
 
From the entrance at the corner of Aston Street and Lancaster Circus Queensway


Former West Midlands Fire Service Headquarters building - gated entrance by ell brown, on Flickr

This wasn't meant to be blurry


Former West Midlands Fire Service Headquarters building - gated entrance by ell brown, on Flickr

Found this 1934 foundation stone (if you can read it or not)


Former West Midlands Fire Service Headquarters building - foundation stone by ell brown, on Flickr

Then down Lancaster Circus Queensway towards Corporation Street


Former West Midlands Fire Service Headquarters building - gated door by ell brown, on Flickr


Former West Midlands Fire Service Headquarters building - fire engine doors by ell brown, on Flickr


Former West Midlands Fire Service Headquarters building - fire engine doors by ell brown, on Flickr


Former West Midlands Fire Service Headquarters building - fire engine doors by ell brown, on Flickr

A sprinkler system


Former West Midlands Fire Service Headquarters building - Sprinkler Alarm and Sprinkler Secondary Supply by ell brown, on Flickr


Former West Midlands Fire Service Headquarters building - gated door by ell brown, on Flickr

Down the road towards Aston Street - and the gate at that corner


Former West Midlands Fire Service Headquarters building - gate at the back by ell brown, on Flickr

A look through the gate


Former West Midlands Fire Service Headquarters building - gate at the back by ell brown, on Flickr
 
nice pics ell..i was going to be cheeky today and go in and try to talk to someone as the main gates were open but decided against it...we already have some great pics of the wonderful art decco inside the station but what i want to know is how much of it is to be retained..a lot of us have feared for this bulding for some time now...i will make enquires in the morning...i cant believe just how many student accomodations that are being built in brum...

lyn.
 
Thanks

I saw several signs for it being currently used as a car park.

I'm not sure - a lot of the windows look of the 1930s period - not sure how they will work as student bedroom windows.

Theres several shop fronts on Aston Street that are vacant. Some used to say West Midlands Fire Service, but you can see them painted over in green.

I don't even remember when it ceased being the Central Fire Station, although it must have been when the words "Fire Service Headquarters" disappeared.
 
Thanks for that link Alf. I've already read it.

Slightly out of date since Aston University had Lawrence and Dalton Tower's demolished.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top