IT HAS helped save lives for 50 years.

And now, Abingdon Fire Station is opening up to the public to mark the milestone.

On Saturday, between 11am and 3pm, residents can visit the station, in Ock Street, to take in its history and pay tribute to its hardworking personnel.

Blue Watch manager Lee Swain said: “We’ve been serving the community for 50 years and now we’ll let the public see what we do. It’s a big celebration.”

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He added: “There are loads of displays of old photos, uniforms and equipment.

“We’ll have morris dancers, bun-throwing, a barbecue and show the fire engines that have been stationed here since 1961.

“It will be a great event.”

There are two full-time crews – ‘Blue’ and ‘Red’ – at Abingdon, with seven people per watch.

The teams provide 24-hour cover seven days a week.

There’s also an on-call crew based at the station for extra assistance.

  • Call the crew on 01235 523822 if you have any fire service memorabilia that could be displayed.


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