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 A Ferrymead Heritage Park resident, Shane Price, is passionate about bicycles and has always wanted to make a reproduction of the fireman's bicycle built by Birmingham Small Arms (BSA) in 1905. The bike was designed for firemen on duty in petrochemical plants. When the park's "Fire Services Special" event was announced, Price had the inspiration he needed to meet the challenge.
Working from a photograph in "Bicycles - Le Biciclette", a book written by Fermo Galbiati and Nino Ciravegna, Price's creation has come together with the enthusiastic help of Welding Maintenance in central Christchurch (Gordon installed the front carrier and the ring for the hose reel), the Fire Services Historical Society (who provided the hose and branch - the nozzle that delivers the water, and much encouragement), vendors in India and America who listed the helmet and siren, respectively, on E-Bay, and his family who have shared their lounge floor with bicycle parts for several weeks!
Price said, "I had a rusty heap of a bicycle from the right era,
stripped it back and repainted it fire-engine red. The main
adaptations were the hose carrier and the carrier on the front which
forks to accommodate the branch. Finding the helmet on E-Bay for $15
and seeing it arrive in the post three days later was amazing. I would
still like to replace the old seat but that will have to wait until I
can afford it."
Brian Joyce, President of the Fire Services
Historical Society based at Ferrymead Heritage Park, is thrilled with
Price's achievement. "We'll be providing Shane with a uniform from the
right period so that he will look the part when he rides the fireman's
bicycle at the Park's big fire engine show on Sunday 5 July. After
that, we will be keen to have the bike on display in the Hall of Wheels
as often as possible because it is a real show-stopper."
Joyce
continued: "Shane is one of many contributors to the fire engine and
fire-fighting action that our Society is presenting on Sunday. The
Ashburton Volunteer Fire Brigade was keen to attend and will have the
"Pride of Ashburton" steam pump working. Dan Coward, Chief Fire
Officer with the Christchurch Fire Brigade, is contributing the latest
fire-fighting truck and equipment to complement the historic items in
the Hall of Flames. The Vintage Car Club is bringing along a
well-preserved old Dennis Ace fire engine. Visitors will see the first
working pump in Christchurch, dating from 1860, and the newest working
pump."
"Sunday's event is a great opportunity for our
members to share fire services heritage with members of the public. It
has been said that the Hall of Fire contains the best fire services
collection in the Southern Hemisphere. Visitors will be able to pump
water with manual pumps, hold hoses from a modern pump, see the steam
pump working, and get really close to old and new fire appliances.
There will be demonstrations and films, and fire engines all over the
Park," said Joyce.
Park General Manager, Maureen Power,
said, "This is definitely an event that will make all young
fire-fighters' dreams come true They can immerse themselves in fire
engines and equipment, past and present, and talk with fire fighters
all day! Of course, a Ferrymead event wouldn't be complete without
steam train and tram action as well and visitors can take as many rides
as they like on the day. We're delighted to offer free entry to all
children attending with a paying adult."The "Fire Engines Special" is part of Christchurch City Council's "KidsFest" programme.
[Fire Engines Special & Steam Sunday, Sunday 5 July, 10am to 4.30pm Ferrymead Heritage Park, Ferrymead Park Drive, Heathcote Valley $15 adult; FREE entry for all children accompanied by a paying adult.]
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