Museum of Fire Protest to Parliament
11am Thursday 11 February 2016 and a gathering of old Fire Trucks travel down to Parliament to make the point that the Edinburgh Museum of Fire should stay in Edinburgh in Tollcross. Click on an image for a larger view. (Thanks to Tim, Liz and David for the photos)
Edinburgh Evening News had a online article saying that the Museum opposed the move to Newbridge, which is true but not very well informed as you can see from the comments at the end of our page:
Can I quash any rumours about museum moving to Newbridge Edinburgh Evening News got that bit wrong, Clerical staff are moving to Newbridge, At no point has anyone said museum is moving
Ian Mycko
Alison Johnstone Green MSP for Lothians region is quoted in the Evening News as saying:
Our city has a proud history of setting up the world’s first municipal fire service, and we should do our best to showcase this history, not hide it away in the outskirts of Edinburgh.
You can also view STV Edinburgh’s report on the Museum here.
So there are things going on to raise awareness that Musuem maybe closing so show your support – there’s still time to sign the petition too!
We set out in beautiful sunshine to go to the Museum of Fire today, and unfortunately the weather expressed its disgust with the Fire Service’s plans to sell one of the jewels in the capital’s crown. By the time we got to Holyrood, it was sleeting.
Five vintage appliances spent just under an hour doing circuits of the area around Holyrood. Some drivers tooted in support, which was nice.
I’m waiting to hear from the instigator of the online campaign about how the protest was received – the fire engines split up without our having the chance to confront any MSPs. Ultimately, the Museum belongs to the Government, having been gifted to the Fire Service FOR NOTHING – another gaffe by our accident-prone council. CEC has effectively gifted OUR property and the Strathclyde-centric Fire Service is likely to pillage our treasures for its premises in Cumbernauld. Apparently, “Edinburgh has too many museums.”
Please lobby your councillors, MSPs and any heritage pressure groups you have contact with. Despite yesterday’s article in the Evening News suggesting the museum is to be moved to Newbridge, insiders suggest that it’s only the back-office function that will be housed there, so effectively the EEN has, as usual, printed the puff from spin-doctors verbatim without investigating.
Incidentally, I hope you were all watching the STV 6 o’clock news – they did a nice piece about the museum. I was amazed they got permission to film inside, but they got the chance to show many of the priceless features of the actual building that contribute to its history and importance, and will be lost if it’s sold to a developer.
Yesterday’s article in EEN has vanished from the homepage, but you can find it if you search. Despite printing a one-sided story yesterday, EEN didn’t deign to grace us with its presence today. I think they sent a snapper, but I can’t find anything on the website, and I refuse to waste my money on a publication that has given up all pretence of investigative journalism, or, indeed, loyalty to the citizens of Edinburgh.
Hello People
I am one of the people involved in trying to save The Museum Of Fire in Lauriston Place
I would just like to Thank you for your continued support & your presence at yestedays
demonstration, The fight is far from over so we will keep fighting no matter what
Regards
Ian Mycko
Hello Again Liz
Can i quash any rumours about museum moving to Newbridge
Edinburgh Evening News got that bit wrong, Clerical staff
are moving to Newbridge, At no point has anyone said museum is moving
The point of demo yesterday in particular was done to coincide with First Ministers Question time
we did not intend to speak to anyone at Parliament (too difficult with having the fire engines with us )
In the near future we are taking banners to parliament & getting petition signed Hopefully we can
speak to them then, I will keep you informed Please feel free to contact me at anytime
Also may i use the above pictures to promote our cause or do they have copyright on them ?
Regards
Ian Mycko