Last Tuesday (3rd April) marked another step forward in the history of Ammanford, as on that day Mr. James Griffiths M. P., formally opened the new Fire Station in High Street of the Carmarthenshire and Cardiganshire Joint Fire Brigade.
A description of the new building has already been given in these columns so to avoid any repetition, let me pass on by giving you a resume of the Ammanford Fire Brigade, and how the new service compares with the old.
But in the first place, let me make it clear that I am indebted to the compiler of Tuesday's programme who in a few historical notes at the back of the pamphlet or leaflet sent on to me, says that in 1903 the first Volunteer Fire Brigade consisted of two men – Turncock J. Davies and Fireman L. Lewis.
The only equipment available to these was a hose cart, housed in the Council Yard. Between 1903 and 1938, the brigade increased to nine men, with Captain Joe Joseph in charge.
By now, the equipment increased to two handcarts, a wheeled escape and a 40-ft trussed ladder.
Then in 1938, the Fire Brigade Act came into operation, and it became compulsory on all District Councils to form and operate a Brigade. A major pump was purchased.
The outbreak of World War II in 1939 prevented further action on the 1938 Act. In 1940, the Fire Station was moved to the rear of the Social Club.
An A. F. S. Substation was set up in Iscennen Road with Mr. Stan Owen as Commandant. There were five auxiliary firemen and a light pump.
In 1941, the National Fire Service was formed, and the A. F. S. was moved to the Social Club.
1947 came, and the N. F. S. was dissolved, but fire fighting and fire prevention services were not returned to the 1938 authorities. All powers under the Fire Services Act were vested in the County Boroughs and County Councils.
The Carmarthenshire and Cardiganshire Joint Fire Brigade was formed in 1948. Nineteen Fire Stations were established with 254 retained and volunteer firemen; whole time personnel numbered 78. There were 168 A. F. S.
In 1951, new headquarters were opened at Carmarthen by Secretary of State. It is interesting to note that the number of calls dealt with by the Fire Service during the past eight years, total 5,182
WHAT A CHARACTER.
Joe Joseph was the Captain of the Fire Brigade when I came to Ammanford. He and his Brigade were the target for much criticism and there were occasions when he did not find favour with the Council. But Joe Joseph and his Brigade were more to be pitied than to be blamed.
The equipment doled out to them must have been in use during the Fire of London. The hoses were defective and often burst, and consequently poor old Joe became the subject of much ridicule.
But was he ruffled? Not he. Once when he was accused of being late in turning up at a fire on the premises of a local shopkeeper, he told the latter: “Why the ----- didn't you tell me the previous day that you were going to have a fire?”
The story is supposed to be true.
THE PIANO.
I have recollections of two serious outbreaks of fire at Ammanford, one at a tailor's shop and the other at the Baltic Saw Mills. There was a grave danger of the fire spreading from the tailor's shop to adjoining houses, and it was deemed necessary to remove the furniture from these premises.
I helped to shift a piano from one house into the street. I got no thanks for what I did that night, although I practically spoilt a suit.
The fire at the Saw Mills was certainly one of the worst to happen in Ammanford and it caused thousands of pounds worth of damage. Joe Joseph and his merry men worked very hard that night.
But we have made tremendous progress in coping with fires since those days. Today the most modern of equipment is available and our firemen are fully trained.
IN A REMINISCENT MOOD.
A large and representative gathering of public men, including the
Chairman of the County Council Mr. J. Amos Jones, Kidwelly;
Mr. D. J. Davies, Mayor of Llandovery;
Sir G. Clarke Williams, former High Sheriff for the County;
Mr. Hayden Lewis J.P., Chairman of Ammanford Urban Council;
Mr. W. S. Thomas Clerk of the County Council;
Alderman W .H Mathews O.B.E., J.P. Chairman of the Joint Fire Brigade Committee;
Alderman E. G. Davies; Vice-chairman Cardigan County Council;
Mr. W. T, Lloyd the County Architect;
Mr. T. Jones the contractor and others attended the formal opening by Mr. James Griffiths M .P., who later was presented with the Brigade Crest by the County Architect.
In accepting it Mr. Griffiths said he would treasure it for all times.
Mr. Griffiths also made an inspection of the parade of firemen and with the Chief Fire Officer, Mr. D Gerald Jones, sounded the Fire Alarm, in response to which there appeared, like a flash, a fire-fighting tender and equipment.
The Station Officer, Mr. D. W. Jones was in charge of the parade.
Mr. Griffiths was in a reminiscent mood when he addressed the gathering earlier and he paid tribute to the craftsmen and pioneers who had helped to make Ammanford the town it was to-day.
He mentioned that the later were immortalised in a poem by Watcyn Wyn, and reference had been made to the three shops on the Square.
Regarding the craftsmen of the Ammanford of earlier days, Mr. Griffiths said that all the stones used in the erection of St Michael's Church had been brought from the River Amman, and the church now stood as a memorial to their skill and efforts.
Touching upon the Fire Brigade of his boyhood days he recalled that he assisted in carrying buckets of water from the river to put out a serious fire at a grocery shop and bakery on the square.
Mr. Griffiths, in a reference to the late Joe Joseph and his men, said they served the community in the best sense of the word. He stressed the importance of serving the community. Every man had a niche or place to take in the service of the community.
In a tribute to the Joint Fire Service, Mr. Griffiths said they should be grateful to the men who served in it, and he was proud of the fact that the Chief Fire Officer was an old collier.
He then went on to praise the fine spirit and comradeship which prevailed in the Brigade in Ammanford. Here he said that in some parts they could not find enough men to man the fire service. In Ammanford and Tumble there was no difficultly, and there were plenty of volunteers. He was glad of that.
Mr. Griffiths further said they owed much to these men, who gave up their leisure hours to serve the community. Fire was a good servant but a bad master.
Mr. Griffiths congratulated the Chairman of the County Council and expressed the hope that he would have a very successful year of office. He also referred to the services he had rendered to the public life in the pit and the Trade Union Movement. He also thanked Alderman Mathews for affording him the opportunity and privilege of being present.
