Swindon Archive News
Give these guys a recording contract
Forget A1, former Steps duo H and Claire, Misteeq, or even The Drifters with their 49 years of experience, definitely the hit act of the Wiltshire Festival Party in the Park on 25 August were the firefighters from Westlea fire station.
The surprise act officially kicked off the party on Sunday afternoon with a great rendition of the Jerry Lee Lewis rock and roll classic Great Balls of Fire.
The lads were not slow to admit before the show that they were sweating inside their full firefighting kit at the thought of appearing in front of the 10,000 or so people already inside the Lydiard Park arena. "We thought it would be a bit of a laugh when we came up with the idea in mid-August," said Firefighter Tim Elliott, who coordinates the fire service involvement with festival organisers. "Now that we have to go on, we're scared witless, just absolutely beyond help."
But when the ask came, the seven firefighters bravely bounded on stage in
their heavy jackets, trousers and protective boots with all the enthusiasm
of the performers that were to follow them during the evening. Sarah Josh
from Swindon Dance had worked with the guys to create a dance routine and
former military musician Firefighter Shaun Dunham polished up his musical
knowledge to help get them in tune and on time.
Back in his red Wiltshire Fire Brigade shirt, ready to make a foray through the crowd selling plastic firemen's hats and collecting for the Fire Services Benevolent Fund, Shaun said, "we had a fantastic reception from the crowd; they gave us such a buzz."
The singing firemen included twenty year man Station Officer Andy Hargreaves, who is the Wiltshire Fire Officer's press officer, and also Mark Truckle, Simon Edwards and Nathan Lenehan who only joined Westlea fire station in May. At least Nathan could show off with a bit more verve as he was hidden inside the brigade bear outfit.
Mark, who was volunteered a week before the extra curricular activity, said appearing on stage was an amazing experience. "Before joining the fire service I worked in hotels, nightclubs and bars and on the QEII, but nothing prepared me for this; it was awesome."
Forget A1, former Steps duo H and Claire, Misteeq, or even The Drifters with their 49 years of experience, definitely the hit act of the Wiltshire Festival Party in the Park on 25 August were the firefighters from Westlea fire station.
The surprise act officially kicked off the party on Sunday afternoon with a great rendition of the Jerry Lee Lewis rock and roll classic Great Balls of Fire.
The lads were not slow to admit before the show that they were sweating inside their full firefighting kit at the thought of appearing in front of the 10,000 or so people already inside the Lydiard Park arena. "We thought it would be a bit of a laugh when we came up with the idea in mid-August," said Firefighter Tim Elliott, who coordinates the fire service involvement with festival organisers. "Now that we have to go on, we're scared witless, just absolutely beyond help."
But when the ask came, the seven firefighters bravely bounded on stage in
their heavy jackets, trousers and protective boots with all the enthusiasm
of the performers that were to follow them during the evening. Sarah Josh
from Swindon Dance had worked with the guys to create a dance routine and
former military musician Firefighter Shaun Dunham polished up his musical
knowledge to help get them in tune and on time.
Back in his red Wiltshire Fire Brigade shirt, ready to make a foray through the crowd selling plastic firemen's hats and collecting for the Fire Services Benevolent Fund, Shaun said, "we had a fantastic reception from the crowd; they gave us such a buzz."
The singing firemen included twenty year man Station Officer Andy Hargreaves, who is the Wiltshire Fire Officer's press officer, and also Mark Truckle, Simon Edwards and Nathan Lenehan who only joined Westlea fire station in May. At least Nathan could show off with a bit more verve as he was hidden inside the brigade bear outfit.
Mark, who was volunteered a week before the extra curricular activity, said appearing on stage was an amazing experience. "Before joining the fire service I worked in hotels, nightclubs and bars and on the QEII, but nothing prepared me for this; it was awesome."
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