After a gap of several years we were unsure as to whether we would be able to stage a show that lived up to our hopes and expectations.  The notes and plans from previous shows were not available and therefore the majority of the planning was from memory.

We wanted the show to be a success, we'd planned for most things but we couldn't plan for the weather, the number of visitor or the number and quality of exhibitors.  We were blessed with all three.  We are all sporting tans normally obtained in foreign climbs, the car park was full to overflowing and the field was filled with preserved vehicles of all types and ages.

We sincerely thank all those who helped to make this event the success we feel it was.

One of the main aims was to raise money for the Derbyshire Children's Hospital. 

Please visit the gallery section of the website, we've some 400 plus photo's and video's of the show. 

We took nearly fifty vehicles from Markeaton Park up the A38 and on to the hospital where we picked up a similar number of children and carers taking them on a run back down the A38 to Quarndon and then on to the Park, lights blazing and sirens whaling.

When you consider some of the fire engines have a fuel consumption of around 10mpg and that all owners meet their own expenses it puts into perspective the commitment and dedication of these owners in not only coming to the show but to also go out on a such a run....

We're sorry if we delayed your journey but the faces of the children as they arrived in the park was a pure joy. 

These photographs are courtesy of The Derby Evening Telegraph.

Should you require a higher definition copy or wish to use this image please contact the newspaper via the following email address - photosales@derbytelegraph.co.uk
 

Many thanks to the team for allowing us to use these photos.

The following was taken from SYNAPSE (staff magazine for Derby Hospitals)

Fire and Rescue show raises cash for Children's Hospital

Each year a Fire and Rescue Show is held at Markeaton Park which attracts over 165 exhibitors. Entry to the event is free of charge, but the organisers (all collectors of fire engines and other rescue vehicles) ask companies and traders taking part for sponsorship.  £1000 was raised this year and members of the Fire Service Preservation Group, together with Councilor John Ahern, Mayor of Derby, were delighted to present the cheque to the Children's Hospital.  Although they are not all from the Derby area, the organisers have been fundraising for the Children's Hospital for the last fifteen years!

It was a big chance as Derby Fire and Rescue Show hadn’t run for two years and it was on a different date but it couldn’t have been better – lots of exhibitors, including two late entries from Holland who turned up on the Friday night, lots of public and even an ITN news feature.

This, then, is my way of thanking all who persuaded me to get involved again.  Thanks also to the many people who helped physically with the event or by putting in the hours on the telephone getting sponsors and other things.

The next event has been arranged for the weekend of 16 /17 of June 2007.

(Comments from a committee member)

I have always enjoyed going to the Derby Fire & Rescue Show, and it's lively setting in Markeaton Park, and was sorry when the show stopped.  However this year's rally was a magnificent event and a great credit to all involved in the organisation.

However this year, for various reasons, I didn't take an appliance and although it was quick, convenient and easy to go by car somehow it didn't fell right, not having the Dennis Light Four there....   So,   to pass the time I offered my services to help out behind the scenes - though I was probably more of a hindrance it was good fun and kept me busy.  So much so that I didn't even manage the traditional visit to the Orangery Cafe for lunch. 

Well done to all the organisers, long may this show continue, and who knows perhaps the Dennis will make the pilgrimage next year.

After an absence of two years it was a bold move by the new organisers to try and revive this once first rate show.  That they without exception succeeded is a testament to all the hard work they must have put in during the months leading up to the event.

We attended the last few Derby shows as day exhibitors, having more than once tried to do the whole weekend, but something always seemed to clash.  This year however no such intervention prevented us from booking a hotel room near the site.

The road run - Knowing the route to Derby well now, we set off in goods time to arrive well before the start of the road run to the Children's Hospital.  I was planning to stand by the side of the A38 and capture it all on video.  We selected an elevated grassy bank and settled down to await the arrival of the 'red convoy'   We did not have long to wait before the garishly adorned escort vehicle arrived followed by the first of the convoy vehicles.  I had expected them to just drive by up to the hospital entrance but it was more organised that that.  The convoy was stopped and vehicles send down in batches of three.  The first ones taking quite a long time as they had the duty of posing for the local TV cameras. 

The show - On arrival at the show ground our first impression was that there were easily as many vehicles there as in previous years, if not more.  People must have missed this show and been eager to come back and support it.

As the show began each vehicle had a parade lap, one at slow speed the other, as the commentator described it, then one blast with lights and sirens on.  Very entertaining and most enjoyable for the crews as well as the crowds, not to mention educational.

There was a good selection of side stalls selling fire related bits and bobs, plus not only fire engines to look at, but police cars, military vehicles, mountain rescue, ambulances and a small fun fair.  A really enjoyable experience for anyone interested in transport, fire service and emergency vehicles.