79-year-old Fire Station and Museum Open Day

Rochdale Fire Station

Rochdale Fire Station and Greater Manchester Fire Service Museum are inviting local people to come along to their Joint Open Day at the Maclure Road base this weekend.

The event, is expected be the last time that the 79-year-old fire station and the Museum will join forces for the regular major event as the service prepares to move to a brand new fire station on Halifax Road, due for completion next year.

Work is scheduled to start on the new fire station shortly but the future of the 29-year-old Museum remains undecided at this time. Bob Bonner, Curator, said: “The Museum Trust is working closely with an as-yet-unnamed funding provider and intends to bid for the purchase of the whole Maclure Road site when the tendering process begins later this year.

"If we are successful, then Rochdalians will eventually see their magnificent art-deco fire station restored to its former splendour, with a state-of-the-art fire museum and educational centre sharing space in the main building with a reborn ballroom and other public facilities.”

“It is a tense time for us,” says Mr Bonner, “but we believe this is a worthwhile project which would bring one of the area’s finest municipal buildings back into full community use whilst providing a great new heritage and tourism offer for Greater Manchester.”

Visitors will be able to see the very latest fire and rescue equipment and meet crews as well as exploring all the attractions in the adjacent Museum which first opened in 1983. Home fire safety and other advice can be obtained and local community groups will also be displaying.

The Museum will be boosting its own unique collection with a range of visiting preserved vehicles from all over the region. Hot and cold refreshments, souvenirs and home-made cakes will be available. A special feature will be the official opening of the event by the Blackpool Town Crier, Barry McQueen.

The Open Day on Sunday 2 September runs from 10.00am to 4.00pm with free admission.