40 years ago my dad worked for Dennis (the fire engine people). His hobby, along with the Dennis apprentices, was looking after their two 1914 Dennis Fire Engines and one 1936 Fire Tender. I would join him on his journeys to local fairs, shows, London to Brighton, etc and so I become very familiar with these three fire engines. For example it would take 15 man hours to polish all the brass.
About five years ago we were in the Lakeland motor museum, and tucked away in a corner, forgotten, was the rarest of the two 1914 fire Engines, being fitted with wooden wheels and solid tyres. None of it shone any more: the brass was copper coloured; the fire engine red was dull, nobody cared.
I was very close to walking over the rope and give it a polish,
I could not leave the room, it wanted/needed someone to give it TLC. If I lived closed I would have volunteered to be its carer.
My only wish is that it has now gone to a good home,
if not, it is top of my agenda WHEN I win The Lottery
