Enthusiasm of firemen praised by chairman 

<PHOTO> Kirkcudbright Fire Brigade line up for our cameraman beside their new station.
Kirkcudbright firemen are proud of their new modem fire station which was officially opened on Friday by Mr Thomas P McIntyre of Cumnock, chairman of the South Western Fire Area Joint Committee.
They moved into the new Ł18,000 building in St Mary Street in June from the premises at Dovecroft which have served as a fire station since 1939.
The station was designed by Messrs Sutherland, Dickie and Partners of Dumfries, and was built by Messrs William Waugh and Sons (Builders), Ltd of Auldgirth, on what was the site of a mission hall and part of the town’s former railway yard.
It is only the second single bay fire station to be built in recent years in Dumfries and Galloway, and the accommodation consists of an appliance room, a watchroom, a large lecture room and a kitchen, as well as a shower room, toilets and various storerooms and cupboards.
The station is in the Board’s ‘C’ Division, and is controlled from Newton Stewart. In charge is Sub Officer Daer McClune and Leading Fireman A. Hiddleston, who have eight part time fireman under their command.

FAMILY LINK

Sub Officer McClune forms an interesting link with the past, for it was his brother, the late Mr Walter McClune, who was in charge of the local brigade from 1937 until his death in 1968.
The family goes back even further, for it was the McClune brothers’ father, Mr Robert McClune, who was local firemaster in the days between the two wars when all the firefighting equipment was carried on a barrow.
At one time, before the last war, the McClune family provided 50 per cent of the local Brigade’s strength, with Walter and Daer being joined by their brothers, Eric and Arthur.
Speaking at Friday’s opening, Mr McIntyre said that the modern facilities were something that the service really needed in Kirkcudbright. Paying tribute to the local fireman, he said that while the Board could supply the building and the equipment, it was the men who really counted at the end of the day.

ABLE-BODIED

He had been told by the firemaster, Mr R. J. Knowlton, that no matter how extensive and progressive the equipment was, the efficiency of any unit depended upon the calibre of the firemen.
At Kirkcudbright they had an enthusiastic and able-bodied unit under Mr McClune, and it was only right the Board should supply them with the accommodation and equipment so they could give a good and reliable service to the community.
Mr McIntyre ended by wishing the men well in their endeavours to achieve maximum efficiency in all aspects of firemanship.
The firemaster, after thanking the local firemen for their interest in the service, said he was satisfied that the Kirkcudbright unit was an efficient one and that by having the benefits of improved facilities would become even more efficient.
Also present at the ceremony were Baillie W. E. Richardson, of Castle Douglas, and Mr Malcolm Stewart, of Lochrutton, the two Stewartry County Council representatives on the Board, and Mr A. C. Watson, Kirkcudbright Town Clerk.
After being shown round the station the guests were entertained to tea.
(The News, 27 August, 1971Page 7)

Fire chief opens new station 

Kirkcudbright’s new Ł18,000 fire brigade station was officially opened on Friday by Mr T. P. M’Intyre of Cumnock, chairman of the South Western Fire Area Joint Committee.
The station was designed by Messrs Sutherland, Dickie and Partners of Dumfries, and was built by Messrs William Waugh and Sons (Builders), Ltd of Auldgirth, on what was the site of a mission hall and part of the town’s former railway yard.
It is only the second single bay fire station to be built in recent years in Dumfries and Galloway, and the accommodation consists of an appliance room, a watchroom, a large lecture room and a kitchen, as well as a shower room, toilets and various storerooms and cupboards.
The station is in the Board’s ‘C’ Division, and is controlled from Newton Stewart. In charge is Sub Officer Daer McClune and Leading Fireman A. Hiddleston, who have eight part time fireman under their command.

FAMILY LINK

Sub Officer McClune forms an interesting link with the past, for it was his brother, the late Mr Walter McClune, who was in charge of the local brigade from 1937 until his death in 1968.
The family goes back even further, for it was the McClune brothers’ father, Mr Robert McClune, who was local firemaster in the days between the two wars when all the firefighting equipment was carried on a barrow.
At one time, before the last war, the McClune family provided 50 per cent of the local Brigade’s strength, with Walter and Daer being joined by their brothers, Eric and Arthur.
Speaking at Friday’s opening, Mr McIntyre said that the modern facilities were something that the service really needed in Kirkcudbright. Paying tribute to the local fireman, he said that while the Board could supply the building and the equipment, it was the men who really counted at the end of the day.
At Kirkcudbright they had an enthusiastic and able-bodied unit under Mr McClune, and it was only right the Board should supply them with the accommodation and equipment so they could give a good and reliable service to the community.
(Dumfries and Galloway Standard, 28 August, 1971 Page 4)

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