A report on the public meeting at Salem Chapel

Salem by Night

I am not one of those people who try to find excuses for being late or tardy in their duty and I put my hand up to being late with this report on the public meeting that took place last night in Salem Chapel, Blaina to save our Fire Station.

But if blame is to be apportioned then I point the finger of responsibility directly at Nigel Meek and Mike Ruddock, because after I carried them home, one over each shoulder, after a quiet 78 pints in the Yew Tree,  I was late getting to my bed and slept late.

So finally, here is my report.

The meeting itself was very well attended, with all seats taken on the ground floor and with several people having to go to the second floor and look down on the meeting from the balcony.

To be honest, although the chapel was packed, I had hoped to see a lot more Blaina residents there, but sadly for many people, apathy rules and they just simply could not be bothered to drag themselves down to Blaina to support the men who risk their all for them.  Poor show people.

Lisa Winnett - When we win, it will be because of her

Councillor Lisa Winnett, who along with Councillor Bob Pagett had organised the public meeting, opened it with a detailed report on the situation and spoke about the inaccuracies in the proposal to close Blaina Fire Station down, that was put forward to the Fire Authority by Chief Fire Officer Huw Jakeway, who is not very popular in Blaina after his outrageous statements that some say bordered on outright lies, made in the South Wales Argus.

Lisa then informed the audience of the plans to ensure that everyone in Nantyglo and Blaina filled in the all important survey that will be looked at by the Fire Service and Fire Authority when they make their final deliberations to either withdraw their proposals or bring down the wrath of God and the people of Nantyglo and Blaina on their heads.

Glyn made a superb speech on duty and commitment

Next to speak was firefighter Glyn Griffiths who gave an emotional speech on the tragedy of the fire of 96 and that how as a result of that fire, fire services around the world had learned valuable lessons regarding backdrafts at the price of the deaths of two of his comrades.

Glyn then spoke about how Blaina was in a way a victim of its own success because of their proactive methods in reaching out to the public in fire prevention - this theme was picked up later by fellow firefighter Nigel Meek who expanded on it.

Leighton had all the facts and figures

After Glyn sat down, as the audience applauded him, Firefighter Leighton Brickell produced different statistics, explained how the five stations in Blaenau Gwent covered for each other, before answering questions from the audience on matters such as asbestos, rebuilding work and travelling times for fire appliances.

I have said before - Blaenau Gwent really does need more money and resources poured into the Fire Service because in my honest opinion we are not adequately protected and to remove 20% of the Fire Service's forces is, as Nigel Meek said, not logical and makes no sense.

Nigel Meek telling it straight

Next up was firefighter and former Welsh International Rugby player Nigel Meek, and showing the same fighting spirit that he showed on the field when playing for Wales, he spoke about what he considered to be the betrayal of the most efficient and committed fire crew in Blaenau Gwent, a point that even Huw Jakeway was forced to concede, when he mentioned their incredible 100% availability record.

Incidentally, when reading about Nigel's rugby career, I smiled when I read the final paragraph in this article about Nigel which I found most interesting - I would not mention it if it were not.

Alert as always - some of our fire crew

Also present was Mark Watt of the FBU who answered several questions and who was given a personal message from myself to deliver to Huw Jakeway when next he sees him.

Paul Morris preaching to the converted

Then some crazy looking bald guy got up to speak, hold on, that would have been me.

I told the audience about the excellent work done by all in the campaign giving special mention to Councillor Winnett, I gave my opinion on the proposal put forward and I spoke about the crew before finishing with the message that Blaina will fight and fight and fight to save the jobs of our boys who defend the lives of our young.

No doubt about it now, the people of Blaina have their dander up and have showed their commitment to fight.

With the team I saw on display last night, I cannot see how Blaina can fail - unless of course the game fix is already in.

What happened after the meeting?

Nigel Meek and Mike Ruddock at Yew Tree, Blaina

You want a good night out then seek out these two men.  It has been a very long time since I laughed but those two men in the image above had me laughing all night and nursing my head all morning.