George fulfils burning ambition
HARD work and determination have paid off for an Oban man with a passion for preservation.
When George Berry bought a ‘clapped out’ former fire and rescue vehicle and set about restoring it to its former glory, many people said it could never be done.
But four years on he was ‘overwhelmed’ to be presented with the Fire and Rescue Preservation Society trophy at the Truck and Fire Festival in Ingliston, Edinburgh, last weekend.
Presenting the award, festival organiser John Fenton said: ‘The cup that George has won is a special prize dedicated to the preservation of fire appliances on show. The preservation work and dedication put in to the vehicle was fantastic.
‘I saw it for myself at 9am when I spotted George kneeling on the ground painting his nuts and bolts. That’s real dedication for you.’
George said he was ‘overwhelmed’ with the award. He said: ‘When you phone 999 in all major towns, you get a state of the art Scania or Volvo. In rural areas of Scotland, this kind of vehicle is still the first fire engine at incidents.’
George thanked Willie Bonniwell for the support his team have given over the years.