116 / 189
CHARLIE'S DAY
OUT!
On a very wet Saturday on 28 April, little Charlie
Codling, son of Liveryman Karen Eves-Codling
and Grandson of Liveryman Brian Eves, had a
very special day out. He joined lots of other
children on the annual Wessex Cancer Trust day
out to Paulton Park, a children's theme park, in
Hampshire, where they all had lots of fun.
What made this a bit more special is that the
children are taken there on fire engines, provided
courtesy of the Fire Service Preservation Group
(FSPG). We are very grateful to our good
friends Den and Lesley Osman who made
arrangements for Charlie, Karen and Brian to
travel in their 1975 Volvo Water Tender, an ex
Hampshire fire engine.
On arrival at the park, all the fire engines
mustered and then drove into the car park on
“twos and blues” ... all very exciting for the
children and other bemused visitors alike!
After fun at Paulton Park the children were
transferred, again by fire engines, to Romsey Fire
Station where the Hampshire Chief Fire Officer
John Bonney welcomed them for tea, cakes and
ice cream.
Accompanying them this year was a small group
of “out rider” Harley Davidson motor cycles
ridden by Master Fire-fighter Peter Cowland,
Watch Commander Tony Smith of Garston Fire
Station in Hertfordshire and Retained Firefighter
Tim Norris of the East Sussex Fire and Rescue
Service. Also joining in was our friend John
Burbidge-King, Upper Warden of the Worshipful
Company of World Traders (who happily took a
bit of mickey-taking because he has a BMW
motor cycle!).
Little Charlie Codling, who is under the care of
the Wessex Cancer Trust, is a very brave boy
who goes for almost daily hospital treatment. It
was our very great pleasure to see him, his sister
Freya, and Mum and Dad having such a good
time! Keep up the good work Charlie!
4
The event was organised by the Fire Service Preservation Group for the Wssex cancer trust,
who should be thanked for their efforts and the picture is courtesy of their organisation