Māpua’s original fire truck has made its way home 55 years after it was put to use by the volunteer brigade, and will be housed in a brand-new display shed at the station.
The Ford v8, which was built in Canada, was purchased from the Wesport Fire Board in 1972 by the Moutere Hills Progress League for the newly formed Mapua Fire Brigade for $1000.
It was rebuilt in 1982-83 by brigade members and the Nelson Host Lions Club before heading to Founders Heritage Park on display.
In 2003, the Māpua Brigade formed a board to resume ownership of the truck, and since then it has been looked after in several places.
Nearly a decade ago, the idea was floated to seek permission to build a permanent home for it at the station, where it could be on display for the community.
That project is now complete, with brigade members hosting an official opening of the shed on Saturday.
Ted’s Shed is filled with memorabilia from the brigade’s history, and feature’s large glass windows so the community can view the truck and collection anytime.
It has been named in honour of Māpua’s founding chief fire officer Ted Perry, who headed the station until 2003, and died in 2020.
Eileen Harvey-Thawley, whose family has a longstanding history with the brigade, has been instrumental in securing a permanent home for the truck.
She says she is grateful the truck finally has a permanent home, and one that can connect the community with its history.
