Page 116 - Archived Back Issues

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!
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
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