Establishment 2000

£10,000 Fire Station Opened at Biggar 

<PHOTO> Mr Nisbet explains the working of the fire engine’s pump to Mt Aiton (extreme left), Mr Daly and Mr Reid. Also in the picture is Sub Officer Tom Brownlie.
Last Saturday was a big day for Biggar’s 11 part time firemen. They moved out of their cramped, out of date headquarters into a modern fire station that cost almost £10,000.
In spite of a biting wind, about 50 local people watched Bailie Samuel Reid declare the station open after he had inspected the town’s fire fighting force under Sub Officer Tom Brownlie.
Bailie Reid, who was introduced by Mr James Aiton, chairman of Lanarkshire Fire Brigade Joint Committee, said that the new station was something that had long been needed in the community.
“In their old place,” he stated, “our local men performed their duties with remarkable patience. Now we have a station well worthy of our firemen, and we have firemen well worthy of such a station.”
He expressed the hope that the firemen would be happy in their new building and would continue to serve the public in the protection of life and property.
Among those present at the ceremony were Mr Edward Daly, County Convener; Mr Alexander Nisbet, Firemaster; and Mr E U Elliot Binns, Scottish Home Department.
Members of the public were allowed to see through the station after the opening. It consists of an engine bay, an office, a muster room, a small kitchen, and toilet facilities.
At a function in the Elphinstone Hotel, Mr Aiton said the new building was in keeping with the service rendered by local firemen.
Mr Elliot Binns paid tribute to the work of the Joint Committee. “I think you will agree,” he stated, “that they have done a terrific amount of work in Lanarkshire.”
(The Hamilton Advertiser, Saturday December 26, 1959. Page 9.)

Was Station E17 Strathclyde Fire Brigade

When the new call signs were being implemented in the WEST SDA over a 7 week period beginning 31/8/2020 doing 1 LSO Area per week, Biggar was changed from P16 to C23.

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