A ‘lost’ horse-drawn Victorian fire engine that was part of Blenheim Palace’s private fire brigade has returned to stately home after being tracked down after a nationwide search.
The re-appearance of the Merryweather tender marks the end of a years-long hunt for the historic engine, which will now take pride of place as part of a new exhibition in the palace’s stable yard, alongside two other manual fire engines dating back to the early 18th century.
The engine was brought back to the Woodstock country house by Hook Norton firefighter Nigel Matthews, who is a fire engine enthusiast and transported all three of the engines for free.
He was joined by county fire officer Chris Wilson, who is the brigade historian and used his network of contacts nationally to locate the fire engine, and Neil McElvenny, a senior officer in Warwickshire – where the engine was being stored.
To mark the ceremony firefighters from Oxfordshire Fire Service brought modern engines to the palace to welcome the vehicle home.
Blenheim Palace incorporated its own brigade in the mid to late 1800s and owned a variety of fire appliances, including the Merryweather.
Believed to have been built by Merryweather & Sons in 1890, the horse-drawn engine used a steam boiler to create pressure to pump water. It was mounted on a four-wheeled sprung carriage.
After many years of operation, the engine was taken out of service and showcased at various Victorian steam shows around the country before settling at Shipston Fire Station then Nuneaton, in Warwickshire.
In 2018 Blenheim Palace’s Operations Director, Heather Carter, launched a hunt to track the engine down and return it to the palace.
Read more: Battle Prom raises thousands for charity
She said: “It’s fantastic we’re finally able to welcome the Merryweather engine home and I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone involved in tracking it down and bringing it back to us – in particular Nigel, Chris and Neil who have been so supportive and enthusiastic throughout the long search.
“Blenheim’s fire engine will provide a fascinating insight into the history of the palace and it’s a perfect addition to our new Stables exhibition, which focuses on the vital role horses have played at the estate over the centuries.”
In 1898 the estate was the venue of a Fire Brigades Rally. Permission to stage the event was given by the 9th Duke of Marlborough (1871–1934) who was also the president of the National Fire Brigades Union at the time.
The Blenheim fire brigade was still in operation during the Second World War.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here