A fireman's lift with a difference!

Local fire service called on to help local church change banner

It wasn’t your average Monday night at Hunstanton’s Methodist Church.

“This evening we’ve been asked to come along and help change their banner,” says Watch Manager David Cleland, from the local fire service.

An engine pulls up, and out get a few firefighters to help with the task.

I ask if it’s a normal thing for the service to be involved in, on what’s usually their training evening.

“It was a request, the fact that they’ve got quite an elderly population, so they couldn’t do it themselves - so we said we’d come and help.

“We’ve started a little bit earlier tonight, we’ve come here out of hours to get this done.”

And then they get to work, undoing the bolts, bringing the pole down - and putting the new banner on.

Hugh Rayner from the church, who’s helping, tells me why a new banner is needed, “It’s filthy and faded, it’s been up about 17 years that one so it’s done a good service."

He goes on to say, “We’re all getting on a bit now, and none of us fancied going up ladders, so to have these guys makes it all possible really.

“It’s terrific, you can’t help but be excited when you see a big red fire engine!”

It’s not as easy as you think - the team hit a problem, the new one’s too loose.

“These guys are problem solvers,” says Hugh confidently. And off they go in search of something - a broom handle’s offered - but part of an old crutch is eventually used.

It is a support aid after all.

As the new banner is put into position, the crowd of church goers clap.  I remark it’s a kind thing for the local fire service to do, and Dave responds with a smile and says, “We do try!”

And I can’t resist but end with this.

How many firefighters does it take to change a banner?

I can tell you, 5 - very kind ones.