John Martin – Former Fire Master
Thu, Jan 10th 2019 at 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
John Martin, retired Fire Master, and former Member of the Club, will address the Members.
H&R: Charles Keeper & Bill McCallum
VoT: Paul Begley
The first speaker at the Rotary Club of Motherwell and Wishaw, after the Christmas break, was former Assistant Firemaster with Strathclyde Fire Brigade, John Martin, MBE, and he spoke to the club about a number of his experiences in the fire service.
John advised that nearly failed the entrance requirements due to his (lack of) height and poor eyesight, however, he was accepted and, with his background as a former professional footballer, he represented the Fire Brigade at Regional and International level.
Among John’s stories he spoke of attending a call to a fire in Craigneuk where five children were trapped in the house. John rescued a badly burned young girl from under her bed in the smoke filled room and, through her sister who was also rescued on the night and who now works for the Fire Service, he had the pleasure of meeting her again some 17 years later, shortly before her wedding.
John also told how he caught a malicious 999 caller, in Carluke, by correctly predicting, and following, the trail of the public phone boxes that the offender was using.
In 1990, the Queen opened the new Fire Brigade HQ in Hamilton. John was in charge of operations and he had organised a demonstration of what would happen in the event of a call-out of appliances, using Windsor Castle as an example. Unfortunately, there was a huge fire at Windsor Castle in 1992 and, in 1998, when John was about to receive his MBE from her Majesty, an Equerry had a few words in her ear. As she presented John with his medal, she said she was still awaiting the arrival of the Hamilton Fire Appliances at the Castle!!
The vote of thanks was proposed by Paul Begley and Tom Agnew was the winner of the weekly bonus ball competition.'What We Do' Main Pages:
As a Club, we sponsor the attendance of at least two young people on this fantastic award scheme
more
For more than 30 years, Rotary, and our partners, have been working to End Polio Now. We"™re this close to ending the disease forever. Join us!
more - President.jpg)
The members of the Rotary Club of Motherwell and Wishaw welcome President Katrina in unusual circumstances!!
more
Tablets, equipped with dementia friendly apps, are delivered to two nursing homes for the use of their residents
more
The members of the Rotary Club of Motherwell and Wishaw are delighted to welcome our newest recruit, David Crichton.
more
When asked if we could help one of our local primary schools make and build a hut for their garden projects how could we refuse, and what a fantastic day we had doing it.
more
Working with the Head Teacher and staff of Coltness High School, the Rotary Club of Motherwell and Wishaw has agreed to sponsor an Interact Club
more
The members of the Rotary Club of Motherwell and Wishaw are delighted to welcome another new member inducted online, David Grieve
more
The members of the Rotary Club of Motherwell and Wishaw are proud to recognise the outstanding service given by Past President Jim Robertson in his thirty-five years in our Club
more
The Rotary Club of Motherwell and Wishaw recognises the importance of building and maintaining close links with the youth of today, through the schools and youth organisations in our community
more
The Furniture for Families Project provides furniture and household items to families in need within our service areas - Motherwell, Wishaw, Bellshill and Larkhall.
more
For a Registration Fee, members of the Club will support cyclists, riding to raise funds for named charities.
more.png)
The members of the Rotary Club of Motherwell and Wishaw are delighted to welcome our second new member inducted online, Jean Murray.
more
On 15th and 22nd December, Santa, and some Rotarian helpers, toured Motherwell, then Wishaw, spreading Christmas Spirit and raising funds for various charities.
more.jpg)
The members of the Rotary Club of Motherwell and Wishaw are proud to support the Rotary Club of Chelmer Bridge, in the 2019 Rotary Poppy Pin Appeal to raise funds for the Royal British Legion, including Poppy Scotland
more
Golf tournament, for the Douglas Clementson Trophy, participating teams being from our local secondary schools to be held at Colville Park Golf Course
more
An annual event for primary schools in the Larkhall area being held for the first time by the Rotary Club of Motherwell and Wishaw (previously run by Clyde Valley Rotary Club)
more.jpg)
For the second year, the members of the Rotary Club of Motherwell and Wishaw welcome our new President, Charles Keeper, online!!
more