Week 32-Goddess Fire Engines

52 Week Challenge, Week 32 – Goddess Fire Engines

I came across these 3 old ladies near St Austell on a recent trip to Cornwall and they made a lovely contrast to the sea, beach, boat and harbour images I had captured there. 

The Green Goddess was manufactured by Bedford between 1953 and 1956 for the Auxiliary Fire Service. The design was based on the Bedford RL British Military trucks and they were intended to be used not to fight fires but to pump clean water in the event of a nuclear attack. 

When the Auxiliary Fire Service was disbanded in 1968 the Home Office kept these old engines in reserve until 2004. I’m sure some of you, like me, remember they were used during Fire Service strikes in 1977 and 2002 and manned by the military.

 During the Northern Ireland riots some were converted to riot vehicles with protection over the windows and lights. And so as not to be mistaken for Army vehicles their colour was changed from green to yellow. 

When or how these three found their way into this field is anyone’s guess and I can only assume from the aged and now inadequate covering, they have been there sometime. Perhaps the original intention was to restore them to their former glory at some point.  

But sadly that never happened and this is how they stand today. Badly rusted and falling to pieces. The middle machine has lost its roof completely. 

Perhaps a job for the Mathewsons of “Bangers and Cash” fame. Love that programme!