A Special Ceremony and a Jubilee Medal for Wincanton's Fire-fighters

Last year when the Adam's Cheese Packing Plant burned to the ground I went down to the site to try and get some pictures for The Window. I think that this was the first time I had really seen fire-fighters in action.

I chatted to some of them and found that our local fire-fighters were up to their ears in the action. It was quite surreal. For most of us scenes like this are only ever experienced on the TV news, in some other place. Not on the Wincanton Trading estate. Sadly, I guess that for most of us we don't think about the fire-fighters who turn up to deal with these ferocious fires.

That's why yesterday was sort of special to me. I received a phone call from our fire-fighters telling me that they have been recognised for all the hard, not to mention dangerous work that they do. Our local fire-fighters are being awarded The Diamond Jubilee Medal in recognition of their devoted service to this community.

With the exception of their wives and loved ones, these fire fighters are anonymous. When they receive a call about a fire, they have to stop all that they are doing and get to the station within a minimum time to go out on the shout.

They don't know what lies ahead of them until they get to the station. It could be a chip-pan fire or a bonfire out of control. On the other hand it could be a serious car accident where they could be the difference between life and death.

I haven't a clue how many times our fire-fighters are called out, but each time they are putting their lives on the line to save others. In my book they all deserve a medal. So I think that it's wonderful that in this special year of the Queen's Jubilee, our Wincanton fire-fighters are recognised with a Jubilee medal. In my opinion they all deserve this, and much more.

What makes this even more special is knowing that Wincanton's fire-fighters are retained fire-fighters. They could simply stick to their day jobs and get paid at the end of the month like the vast majority of us. But this bunch of intrepid folk protect this community and all who pass through it as and when required.. This fact alone makes all of them our local heroes.

I hope that all of you will join with me in congratulating them for the hard work they do for our community and on receiving this Jubilee medal. They all deserve it.

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