Pumpathon - September 2001

The  pumpathon is a gathering of old fire engines, and their not so old crews, and takes place every year in Central Scotland. In 2001 it was held at Speirs Wharf on the Glasgow branch of the Forth and Clyde canal and we attended on Gamebird. We  cruised from Ratho to Broxburn, put her on her trailer, drove to Kirkintilloch where we  launched her in the Forth and Clyde canal . We then cruised to  Speirs Wharf. We brought her back to Ratho the next day! The reason for attending the Pumpathon was that it gave us the opportunity to cruise another few hundred yards of the Glasgow branch and touch our bows to the terminus of the canal. It is interesting that there used to be a bridge at this point and it was called the Ann Street bridge!! Must get BW to restore it sometime.

The 20 or so beautifully maintained fire engines were heard long before they were seen as they made their way from George Square where they had taken part in a ceremony outside the City Chambers. At Speirs Wharf, the old warehouses along side the canal have been restored and are now luxury flats. The fire engines assembled on the other side of the canal and were soon pumping water across the water. Fortunately, the canal is quite wide at this point and the houses did not get their windows washed! Apart from Gamebird, there were just 3 boats - The Forth and Clyde Canal Society ran their trip boat all afternoon, the 1:24 scale model of HMS Invincible tootled about and the BW hospitality boat, the Millennium Link was there, they tell me.

A very enjoyable afternoon was spent admiring the fire engines and enjoying the sun shine.

The first four photos were taken by Geoff Hooton, who lives at Speirs Wharf and who kindly invited us to dinner in the evening. Thanks Geoff! The next one was taken by Ian Tennant and the rest are mine - pre digital camera days!

Home page