AROUND 300 people recently visited the Essex Fire Museum in Grays and enjoyed a special event to celebrate its 15th anniversary.

Firefighters from Grays Red Watch performed a simulation rescue with an Aerial Ladder Platform and ran a chip pan demonstration with Community Safety Officer Roy Aanstad.

There was a Search and Rescue Dog display and Community Safety Officer Sam Harrington gave fire safety advice.

Visitors dressed up in fire uniform, did arts in the craft tent, completed the museum trail, met fire safety mascot Welephant, rode the Trumpton truck and sprayed water from an old-style Dennis fire engine.

Dan Bailey, Essex County Fire and Rescue Service's Heritage and Volunteer Lead, said: "We would like to thank everyone who attended our 15-year anniversary event; it was a fantastic day.

"We would also like to thank our brilliant volunteers for all their hard work and dedication to the museum. They support us with school visits, open days, research and everything in between.

Roger Pickett

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"A special thanks also to retired firefighter Roger Pickett who created the museum in 2007. Without his vision and hard work, we wouldn't have a fire museum today that we are so proud of."

Roger was recently announced as a recipient of the British Empire Medal in the Queen's Platinum Jubilee honours list for his work setting up the museum.

At the celebration Roger was presented with a special Museum Founder Award. Mick Ford, Murray Beale, Graham Richardson, Alan Field, Mike Smith, Tony Knell, Fiona Fynn, Colin Thorne, Ian Lyons, Gill Chapman, Chris Perry, Rob Dawkins, Lee Parker and Mark Clay all received Museum Volunteer Awards.

Essex Fire Museum, one of a small number of fire museums in the country and accredited by the Arts Council, is based at Grays Fire Station. The museum's volunteers give tours, carry out research, write articles and maintain more than 6,000 exhibits.

People can visit the Essex Fire Museum Facebook page for the latest information. 

The Museum's next Sunday open day is on Sunday, 31 July. If people would like to attend, email [email protected] stating the number of people who would like to visit and the time arriving. It is open between 10am and 4pm.