Obit: Alcester heroes (Nov 2007)

Subject: RE: Obit: Alcester heroes (Nov 2007)
From: The PA
Date: 29 Nov 07 - 07:08 AM

Perhaps we should all have our own personal 2 minutes silence.

Subject: RE: Obit: Alcester heroes (Nov 2007)
From: Snuffy
Date: 27 Nov 07 - 06:51 PM

Funeral details have now been announced for the firefighters who lost their lives at Atherstone-on-Stour.

John Averis will be buried on Friday November 30, Ian Reid on Monday December 3, Ashley Stephens on Wednesday, December 5 and Darren Yates-Badley on Friday, December 7. The latter two services will be at Alcester Parish Church at 11am in both cases.

Paper and On-line Books of Condolence

Warwickshire Firefighters Families Fund

Subject: RE: Obit: Alcester heroes (Nov 2007)
From: Scooby Doo
Date: 12 Nov 07 - 07:26 AM

Thanks Snuffy for the details.I will contact the bank.


Scooby.

Subject: RE: Obit: Alcester heroes (Nov 2007)
From: RWJ
Date: 11 Nov 07 - 07:22 AM

I met them the first time we used their station and from day one have made the event one of the most pleasureble venues to work.

My thoughts are with them all

   Ron

Subject: RE: Obit: Alcester heroes (Nov 2007)
From: Alcestermarje
Date: 10 Nov 07 - 12:02 PM

A fund has been set up in the name of Alcester Folk Festival for people wishing to send financial contributions to the Warwickshire Fire Fighters Families Fund. What I intend to do is collect the donations and list the names of the people who sent them. I will then send this off to the fund which has been organised by the Fire Brigade.
Anyone wishing to donate can send directly to me with their name and a short message. I will then collate the messages and send them off to the fund.
Cheques should be made payable to the Warwickshire Firefighters Families Fund. My address is AAFF. 144 Easemore Road Riverside Redditch B98 8HH.
If you would rather pay by credit card directly to the fund, the bank account is Lloyds TSB. Phone number is 0845 6018517. Account number 00581408. They are open Monday - Friday 9am - 5pm
Please spred this around as many people as you know so that our appreciation of the fire stations support for us can be shown by our appreciation of their great loss.
A book of condolence is available on the website of Warwickshire Fire Fighters. www.warwickshire.gov.uk/fireandrescue
Thanks.

Subject: RE: Obit: Alcester heroes (Nov 2007)
From: Snuffy
Date: 09 Nov 07 - 01:01 PM

I would imagine that here is a good place to keep checking for local news

Subject: RE: Obit: Alcester heroes (Nov 2007)
From: GUEST,Guest
Date: 09 Nov 07 - 10:28 AM

Would someone be kind enough to let me know when and where the funeral of Darren is.

Thank you

Subject: RE: Obit: Alcester heroes (Nov 2007)
From: HipflaskAndy
Date: 08 Nov 07 - 05:48 AM

Like m' pal George, above
- I too have had the pleasure of playing at the fire station on a couple of occasions -
The firecrews and families running the BBQ and bar all the while - a cheery welcome and atmosphere guaranteed every time.

I am so saddened by this turn of events.
May they rest in peace.
My sincere condolences to all their families and friends.

Duncan McFarlane

Subject: RE: Obit: Alcester heroes (Nov 2007)
From: SylviaN
Date: 08 Nov 07 - 03:31 AM

Such a tragedy.

Condolences from Keith and me to their families and friends.

Sylvia

Subject: RE: Obit: Alcester heroes (Nov 2007)
From: Mrs Scarecrow
Date: 07 Nov 07 - 06:13 PM

Our thoughts are with them and their families
Ann and Dave

Subject: RE: Obit: Alcester heroes (Nov 2007)
From: Alcestermarje
Date: 07 Nov 07 - 03:37 PM

As you might imagin Dave James and I are devastated by the sad news of the fire fighters deaths. We will both be attending the funerals.
As Snuffy said, the fire men took us in when we needed them most and we have never looked back, they are always ready to accommodate us year on year.
I will do my best to let the fire men and also Greig Hall staff know that the folkies are thinking about them.

Thanks to everyone who has sent their kind words and thoughts.

Subject: RE: Obit: Alcester heroes (Nov 2007)
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 07 Nov 07 - 03:10 PM

Thanks to you all for the links!

Kitty

Subject: RE: Obit: Alcester heroes (Nov 2007)
From: Snuffy
Date: 07 Nov 07 - 09:27 AM

This bit on the BBC Coventry & Warwickshire website is probably as near as we're going to get to an expression of sympathy.

Vegetable packing and distribution firm Wealmoor Atherstone Ltd owns the site, where it employs 300 people. A spokesman for the company said it was "devastated" by the death of the firefighter and would cooperate with police and fire investigations into the blaze.

Subject: RE: Obit: Alcester heroes (Nov 2007)
From: The PA
Date: 07 Nov 07 - 06:38 AM

Not wishing to detract from the theme of the original thread, but does anyone else think it strange that there has been no statement or words of sympathy, from the owners of the company, for the families of these brave men?
Is it maybe for legal reasons? Just seems a bit cold to me.

Subject: RE: Obit: Alcester heroes (Nov 2007)
From: Emma B
Date: 07 Nov 07 - 04:47 AM

Firefighters memorial
This should work Rosie

Subject: RE: Obit: Alcester heroes (Nov 2007)
From: Selchie - (RH)
Date: 07 Nov 07 - 04:31 AM

Kitty,

There's information here, hope it's of use (sorry don't do blue clickies) ~

http://www.firefightersmemorial.co.uk/service.html

Rosie

Subject: RE: Obit: Alcester heroes (Nov 2007)
From: The PA
Date: 07 Nov 07 - 04:06 AM

Herga Kitty: Re memorial. The National Memorial Arboretum at Alrewas Staffordshire is dedicated to all those who have given their lives in the service of their country. This includes the fire and police services. There is a separate armed services memorial too, and there is another section for others who for specific or appropriate reasons are commemorated on the site. Other than is I do not know of a memorial specific to the Fire Service.

Subject: RE: Obit: Alcester heroes (Nov 2007)
From: GUEST,old girl
Date: 06 Nov 07 - 06:41 PM

Very sad news our deepest sympathy to the familys & friends, many of them have made us welcome at Alcester Festival, we are thinking of them at this sad times.
Rose & Dave

Subject: RE: Obit: Alcester heroes (Nov 2007)
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 06 Nov 07 - 04:44 PM

I was in Belgium over the weekend for the Flanders Experience commemorating WW1, and didn't hear about this awful loss till I got back on Sunday. I watched the TV programme about the Armed Forces National Memorial, including the account of the soldier who died in Afghanistan because he wanted to be where the action was, not just training Afghanis to deal with it.

Yesterday I was shopping in Tesco when the fire alarm went off, and the store had to be evacuated until the Fire and Rescue Service had checked and cleared the premises. It's all really brought home the stoicism and heroism of people who must and can switch from the conscientious execution of routine mundane checks to putting their lives on the line.

And it's also made me wonder if there's a national memorial for emergency service personnel who've died in the line of duty?

Kitty

Subject: RE: Obit: Alcester heroes
From: GUEST,Guest
Date: 06 Nov 07 - 12:11 PM

My thoughts and prayers go to all. I worked with Darren at the Greg Centre a few years back. He was a very kind, thoughtful person, always putting others first. Loved by all who knew him.

Condolences to his family and friends and to all the other families who have lost loved ones

Rest in peace

Claire

Subject: RE: Obit: Alcester heroes
From: The PA
Date: 06 Nov 07 - 09:57 AM

One body has been found. So sad.

Subject: RE: Obit: Alcester heroes
From: GUEST,Frug
Date: 05 Nov 07 - 06:00 PM

I've no doubt the town will stand still for these lads when they are laid to rest. Ashley went to school with my lads and played computer games with them for years. Darren worked at the gym where I work out. Both great kids and a tragic loss.

Frank

Subject: RE: Obit: Alcester heroes
From: Tig
Date: 05 Nov 07 - 03:27 PM

Like M&C I too recognised Darren. It brings things too close to home.

They are a great crew and so welcoming. Big hugs to everyone involved.

Subject: RE: Obit: Alcester heroes
From: Folkiedave
Date: 05 Nov 07 - 08:58 AM

Sincere condolences to the family.

Subject: RE: Obit: Alcester heroes
From: GUEST,M&C
Date: 05 Nov 07 - 08:54 AM

Watching the news today and realised that one of the fire fighters, who is missing, worked at the Greg Hall in the leisure centre. Darren Yates-Badley oftern came into the kitchens during the festival for a bite to eat and a cuppa... Always helpfull, ready for a joke and a laugh... We will miss his happy smiling face next year...

Condolances to the friends and family of all who are grieving now...

Moor & Coast

Subject: RE: Obit: Alcester heroes
From: Jean(eanjay)
Date: 05 Nov 07 - 08:47 AM

Thanks for starting this thread.

Very, very sad news.

Thoughts sent for all their loved ones.

Subject: RE: Obit: Alcester heroes
From: Snuffy
Date: 05 Nov 07 - 08:08 AM

Alanww and myself both live in Alcester, and will be doing what we can. It is a very friendly, close-knit community, that looks after its own. But at the moment the town is still trying to come to terms with what happened.

Here's a quote from the mayor: "It's a very difficult time for the town. I think the shock that we experienced on Saturday morning is changing now to one of grief and the town seems to be under a cloud I think at the moment. We shall pull rank on the families and give them all the support that we possibly can. It's one of those communities where everybody knows everybody. I would describe it more as a family than strictly a community."

Subject: RE: Obit: Alcester heroes
From: catspaw49
Date: 05 Nov 07 - 06:45 AM

It'd be nice if some of you could actually go to the firehouse or funerals in person. Sounds like a wonderful and special relationship.

Spaw

Subject: RE: Obit: Alcester heroes
From: fat B****rd
Date: 05 Nov 07 - 06:24 AM

All of the above. A dreadful tragedy.

Subject: RE: Obit: Alcester heroes
From: Doktor Doktor
Date: 05 Nov 07 - 06:08 AM

A real shock.
The Alcester crew have really helped to "make" the festival since the station became a singing venue. The families assist in operating the barbie and the bar and the closeness and team spirit are just kinda there. It's a bit like being invited to their house for the afternoon.
Me n' Jacqs are just so very sad - our hearts go out to everyone at Alcester. Ordinary heroes all.

Subject: RE: Obit: Alcester heroes
From: skipy
Date: 05 Nov 07 - 04:56 AM

My condolences to these unsung heros.
Skipy

Subject: RE: Obit: Alcester heroes
From: katlaughing
Date: 05 Nov 07 - 04:48 AM

I hope someone who has posted knows them well enough to share this thread with them. I am sure it would mean a lot. They certainly sound like a great bunch of people. My condolences to all who have lost someone.

kat

Subject: RE: Obit: Alcester heroes
From: GUEST
Date: 05 Nov 07 - 03:27 AM

Ralph McTell paid tribute to these three heros during his concert in Bromsgrove last night. Keep this thread at the top of the list today so that we remember how brave these men and women are.

Subject: RE: Obit: Alcester heroes
From: Snuffy
Date: 04 Nov 07 - 06:54 PM

English folkies owe a lot to the Alcester retained firemen and their families, for the way they have made us welcome and treated us as honoured guests.

They provided a superb concert venue at a week's notice when another Festival venue pulled out, by clearing the main engine hall and parking the appliances outside. And did so again every year for the last 5/6/7(?) years.

Many catters will have fond memories of attending concerts there with the superb acoustics, and for those lucky enough to perform there, the experience was unforgettable.

And there were always volunteers there to serve us excellent (and cheap beer) all weekend, and the wives and sweethearts manning the barbecue behind the station. Always a friendly greeting and a welcoming smile.

A couple of years ago, as a member of the Shellback chorus we were privileged at the Sunday Festival church service to sing a welcoming song for a baby's christening. Later that day at the fire station, the baby's grandfather and father (who, I believe, were both firemen)sought out every Shellback they could find to thank them personally for singing for the baby.

The English folk community owes the Alcester firemen so much, not just for putting their lives on the line as an emergency service, but also for tasking us to their hearts and welcoming us as friends. They took us in when we were "homeless" and made us feel wanted and appreciated.

I hope in the coming weeks and months that we will able to repay at least a small part of the debt we owe them.

Subject: RE: Obit: Alcester heroes
From: George Papavgeris
Date: 04 Nov 07 - 03:24 PM

I didn't know... I, as many others, have sung in that firestation. I may have come across one or two of those guys there, though I did not recognise any faces. Whether I did or not, I have certainly received their hospitality. Suddenly the whole tragedy feels that much closer to home.

More even than any soldiers, such people put themselves voluntarily into harm's way in order to save lives. Yes, they are heroes.

Subject: RE: Obit: Alcester heroes
From: Scooby Doo
Date: 04 Nov 07 - 01:06 PM

I hope so!its called hell.


Scooby.

Subject: RE: Obit: Alcester heroes
From: Peace
Date: 04 Nov 07 - 12:19 PM

There's a special place in Hell for arsonists. I hope!

Subject: RE: Obit: Alcester heroes
From: Scooby Doo
Date: 04 Nov 07 - 12:14 PM

They deserve it even more now they think its arson.


Scooby.

Subject: RE: Obit: Alcester heroes
From: Sorcha
Date: 04 Nov 07 - 12:13 PM

Oh damme.....another tragedy. All first responders deserve our thoughts,prayers, whatever.

Subject: RE: Obit: Alcester heroes
From: Sue the Borderer
Date: 04 Nov 07 - 10:51 AM

Thanks for the link EmmaB. Somehow it brings this terrible tragedy 'even closer to home'.
Sue

Subject: RE: Obit: Alcester heroes
From: Peace
Date: 04 Nov 07 - 10:34 AM

Thanks for posting that, Emma.

Subject: RE: Obit: Alcester heroes
From: My guru always said
Date: 04 Nov 07 - 10:30 AM

Thanks for posting this Em. Thinking of those brave firemen we have lost and those who continue to put their lives in danger on our behalf.

Subject: Obit: Alcester heroes
From: Emma B
Date: 04 Nov 07 - 09:33 AM

Alcester Fire Station and its friendly fire crew have been a featured venue of this much loved Warwickshire Folk Festival for a few years.

In sympathy to the families of those retained firemen who gave their lives in attempting to search for migrant workers in the serious warehouse fire this weekend.

news report here