The start of Goring Fire Brigade

This was later housed at George Wilson’s house near the Recreation Ground and George’s sister would run round and alert the firemen if a fire was reported. Later, warning was given by the local Police Sergeant firing a maroon and even later this was carried out by a fireman from the yard of Franklin’s Garage. The handcart was pulled to such places as Crays Pond and then downhill to Goring Heath. Fortunately, there were many willing helpers if the fire occurred during the day.

Pay
Firemen were paid a one shilling per year retaining fee by the Parish Council and for attending a fire they would receive their loss of earnings from their normal jobs, plus one or two pence per hour from the Parish Council, but only if the money could be obtained from an insurance company. As fire insurance in those days was a rarity, there was often no payment.

Fire drill competitions
A representative from the Minimax Company helped the Goring men to train on the Recreation Ground with a view to taking part in fire drill competitions. At Aldershot in 1925, using a borrowed Dennis fire tender, the Goring Brigade came first in a competition with 25 other brigades. Much credit was said to be due to the skilful operation of the pump by the engineer, Mr E Savage. The team also entered the One Hundred Guinea Challenge Cup which they went on to win three times

Fire pumps introduced 
In time a motorised pump became needed and Mr Pitney, a tailor in Pangbourne, asked Franklin’s Garage for an estimate to convert a vehicle for this purpose. A figure of £45 was accepted and a Rolls Royce fire tender was produced in 1932. A fund was started by George Hill to purchase a Rolls Royce fire tender and some £150 was raised but this was used to purchase another Rolls Royce car which was also converted into a fire tender. Both vehicles were fitted with pumps supplied by Pulsometer Pumps of Reading. The original fire cart was sold to Mr Franklin for 6d and he in turn, sold it to Mr Spriggs for use as a builder’s truck.

Amalgamation with Pangbourne
Mr Gear who was at that time the Chairman of Goring Parish Council, suggested that the Goring Fire Brigade should amalgamate with the Pangbourne Fire Brigade as it was thought this would provide more effective cover in both areas. This eventually came about and a section operated from both areas, wearing standard uniform, but retaining their own style of brass helmet. The Goring crew consisted of George Hill, N Castle, H Shepherd, D Major, Charlie Crook, Ernie Savage, H Bridgman, Sid Spriggs, R Rutland, Edward Franklin and G MacArthur. Later, for various reasons, it was decided to break away from Pangbourne. The move was carried out and the establishment made up to 12 men.

The Jubilee Fire Station
Some £65 remained from the 1935 Jubilee Fund and after suggestions for a swimming pool or reading room were turned down, the firemen put their case for a new fire station. The brigade donated a further £10 and enough money was raised to build a fire station in Red Cross Road. The new station was opened by Mrs Palmer using a silver key suitably inscribed and the deeds were handed over to Goring Parish Council. Fire stations from Newbury, Sonning, Pangbourne, Didcot, Mortimer and Abingdon were represented at the opening and music was provided by the Goring Village Band which had been formed from the British Legion Band. The Second World War came and in 1942 the brigade was taken over by the National Fire Service who bought the station for £1,150 and the equipment for £1,100. This money was placed with the Charity Commissioners for use after the war to purchase new vehicles etc but in fact it was not needed as the brigade remained on a National basis and was eventually controlled by Oxfordshire County Fire Service which was formed in 1948 and operated from headquarters in Woodstock.

The next move
The continually modernised brigade moved to its current Fire Station in Icknield Road in April 1976, and this year celebrated its 40th Anniversary