THIS picture of Skipton firefighters is dated around 1924 and shows a fire engine with the name Skipton Urban District Council Fire Brigade on the side.

The trappings are more modern than the 1910 picture, though the uniform looks just as uncomfortable and cumbersome to be fighting fires in. I wonder what they would make of today’s fire service with its state of the art equipment and hi-vis clothing.

The fire station was in the yard off Bridge Street, by New Bridge.

When the siren sounded the men would rush along the streets to the station and set off to the job standing on the foot rest and clinging on to the engine. The front seat fireman would ring the bell to let people know they were on their way.

Picture by kind permission of the Rowley and Ellwood families.