Historic fire engine set to
ignite passions for past

AN EARLY fire engine, dating from the 18th century, is set to return home to South Yorkshire tomorrow before going on display in the new Experience Barnsley social history museum.
By The Newsroom
Published 29th Aug 2012, 22:02 BST

The 1791 Bramah fire pump is believed to be the only one still in existence which was made by inventor Joseph Bramah, from Stainborough.

A spokesman for Barnsley Council said: “Bramah’s fire pump was the first continuous-pressure fire engine and was very successful.

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“Put into use across Europe, it was further improved by his later invention of the rotary pump.

“All modern fire-fighting appliances owe their origins to Joseph Bramah.”

This particular fire pump was built for the Wentworth Castle estate in 1791, and is believed to be the first one that Bramah built.

It stayed at Wentworth until 1949 when Captain Vernon-Wentworth gave the pump to Barnsley fire brigade.

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Displayed in the Civic Hall and later Broadway Fire station, in 1972 it was transferred to the Fire Service College at Moreton-in-Marsh in Gloucestershire, where it has remained until now.

The fire pump is set to be welcomed back to Barnsley town hall tomorrow afternoon.

Experience Barnsley is due to open its doors in May 2013.

Related topics:BarnsleySouth YorkshireGloucestershireEuropeBarnsley Council