Bringing Our Merryweather Home - Good As New
We are so pleased to say that our Merryweather has been lovingly restored following a great deal of hardwork and fundraising.
On 28 October 2024, we held a special event at Egerton Park in Bexhill, just outside Bexhill Museum, with a special appearance from two horses.
On behalf of Chief Fire Officer Dawn Whittaker, thank you to everyone who helped make this happen.
The History of the Merryweather
Once promised to Bexhill Museum in 1920 after years of service to the town, Bexhill's 1895 Merryweather horse-drawn, steam powered fire engine went on its travels elsewhere, and now more than 100 years later it's finally come home.
In 1984 Chief Fire Officer Eric Whittaker arranged for the machine to be loaned to the Fire Service National Museum Trust.
The Trust wound up and so we are privileged to have this amazing piece of history back with us, after a 700 mile round trip to collect it.
Working with Bexhill Museum, we launched fundraising for a refurbishment programme before it went on display permanently at the museum and we plan to use it at community events. Restorers made it safe, returned it to its former glory and ensured its continued significance for future generations.
Crews and Fire Cadets from Bexhill Fire Station led the fundraising efforts putting on events including wellbeing walks, car washes, rope rescue abseil and a Halloween open day.
We were also thrilled to have media students from Bexhill College help promote our fundraising - you can find the videos on our social media channels.
What it looked like before restoration
