Repaint rather than replace (From Bucks Free Press)
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Repaint rather than replace
7:53pm Tuesday 23rd June 2009
Well, I was struck dumb in bewilderment after reading the news story on this site last week entitled “New doors for High Wycombe Fire Station”.
The news story said that the fire stations doors would be replaced during July and August as part of a £60,000 re-development of the fire station.
The current doors may be a bit faded indeed I myself complained about them but surely the doors only need a lick of paint and there is no need to replace them.
Te other day while on my regular lunchtime walk around the town centre I paid a visit to that part fo town to see what the doors are currently like. It was an awfully long way for me to walk so I rested for a few moments on seats opposite the fire station to get my breath back.
While I was there a fire engine left the station on an emergency. Suddenly the doors opened and a fire engine left at great speed with lights flashing and sirens sounding.
The doors seemed to open and close perfectly well so I really don’t see the need to replace them. We may live in a throw away society but surely replacing the doors just because they need a lick of paint is a bit extreme?
I suppose we must be grateful that money is being invested in our fire station as it looks such a lovely building indeed it is an excellent example of 60’s architecture that compliments the other buildings around Abbey Way so well.
I read a few weeks back that plans to move the fire station had been put on hold as the alternative sites did not provide such easy access to the motorway. Unfortunately it may be demolished under the plans to redevelop the town centre in 2014.
Personally I think the fire service in Wycombe is excellent and the brave firemen have my complete support.
If there is money to be spent on the fire station then I have no objection but surely that money must be spent wisely. If the fire station is going to be demolished in just 5 years surely it makes even more sense to repaint the doors rather than replace them?
I wonder what sort of doors the replacements will be?
When originally built the fire station used to have some lovely wooden doors. As the fire station is such a historic building perhaps they should restore it to its former glory with some doors similar to the original 1960’s design?
What do you think?
Comments(59)
OllieNewbury
says...
8:17pm Tue 23 Jun 09
Can I start calling you fattie? It might inspire you to lose weight. A healthy man should not be out of breath by just walking to the fire station!
As you said, let's be glad that we've got an efficient fire service.
OllieNewbury
says...
8:19pm Tue 23 Jun 09
tom.marlow wrote:But doorology (that is a real study) is a great interest of Ivor's!
Don't really give a toss, sorry.
A door is a door. So long as it keeps you warm and cosy in the winter and keeps the riff-raff out then its doing its job.
The new fire station in Marlow has nice doors - they are not that horrible garish red.
Why else would he keep moaning about the lack of doors on the Eden centre?
ivor
says...
8:30pm Tue 23 Jun 09
Oh dear. I am sorry to hear of your lack of interest in the fire station doors.
What colour are the Marlow fire station doors then?
ivor
says...
8:31pm Tue 23 Jun 09
I am neither a fireman nor a door expert! Do you really need to know much to work out that a lick of paint is all that is required?
Yes, I fear I am a fatty. I desperately need to lose weight and get fit again. One of the main reasons why I never go as far as the fire station is the fact that I get our of breath so easily even stairs are a terrible challenge for me.
Indeed we do have an extremely efficient fire service. We owe them a great deal for the bravery they show.
ivor
says...
8:31pm Tue 23 Jun 09
Doorology? If that was a real subject no doubt I would have a doctorate in the area. “Dr Doors” now there’s a good title!
faisal mahmood
says...
8:32pm Tue 23 Jun 09
Ivor Peter Goodwin 83, Is former director of music for the university and a resident of High Wycombe.
Ivor said: Get rid of Eden centre, it is an eyesore,useless and impossible to find anything.
''Also give the town a large enough hall so we may have concerts to fit a full sized orchestra instead of going to Basingstoke or London. The Swan is No good.'
This information is found out from the bucks free press todays midweek page 8.
I think this is Ivor like usual running eden high wycombe down.
OllieNewbury
says...
8:40pm Tue 23 Jun 09
ivor wrote:Your ignorance is pitiful. There is more to a fire station door than it's paint condition.
Re the comments of OllieNewbury at 8:17pm
I am neither a fireman nor a door expert! Do you really need to know much to work out that a lick of paint is all that is required?
Yes, I fear I am a fatty. I desperately need to lose weight and get fit again. One of the main reasons why I never go as far as the fire station is the fact that I get our of breath so easily even stairs are a terrible challenge for me.
Indeed we do have an extremely efficient fire service. We owe them a great deal for the bravery they show.
If the fire service thinks the doors need replacing, so be it. You and I are in no position to comment as we know little about the subject.
From now on you shall be referred to as 'Ivor the fatty' or just 'Fatty'. Hopefully it might get you to lose some weight!
OllieNewbury
says...
8:42pm Tue 23 Jun 09
ivor wrote:It is a real science, according to some professors in Canada. Apparently the study of human interaction with doors is of great interest to them.
Re the comments of OllieNewbury at 8:19pm
Doorology? If that was a real subject no doubt I would have a doctorate in the area. “Dr Doors” now there’s a good title!
Melanie1
says...
8:45pm Tue 23 Jun 09
BTW, how did I know that you'd slip in to your blog (somewhere/anywhere) a comment about your weight and how you had to sit down? Was it a nice wooden bench?
OllieNewbury
says...
8:47pm Tue 23 Jun 09
Melanie1 wrote:Also notice the little section about "wonderful" 60s architecture he slipped in.
Ivor how do you know that the doors are not constantly breaking down and costing money in regular maintenance?
BTW, how did I know that you'd slip in to your blog (somewhere/anywhere) a comment about your weight and how you had to sit down? Was it a nice wooden bench?
Typical fatty!
Plus ça change...
says...
8:55pm Tue 23 Jun 09
People may lay all this at your door, Ivor.
I think you're closing the stable door after the horse has bolted.
The fire & rescue guys are probably hoping you never darken their door again and will certainly see you to the door if you ever visit!
Like on many other local matters you seem to be a bit of a revolving door, blogging one new-fangled angle one moment and then unblogging it the next!
Blueberry
says...
9:04pm Tue 23 Jun 09
Melanie1
says...
9:05pm Tue 23 Jun 09
Blueberry wrote:Nope, as long as they open/close so the firemen can get in and out that's all I'm interested in.
Does anyone other than Ivor give a monkey's toss about these ruddy doors?
OllieNewbury
says...
9:07pm Tue 23 Jun 09
Blueberry wrote:I do!
Does anyone other than Ivor give a monkey's toss about these ruddy doors?
NOT
We must embrace the few doorologists that there are in the UK. Aren't we lucky to have Ivor the fatty around?!
ivor
says...
9:21pm Tue 23 Jun 09
Well, I would like to know what is so wrong with the doors that they can’t be just re-painted. Perhaps if the public were told it would make everyone happier.
Oh no, surely you aren’t going to call me “fatty”. I feel so ashamed about my condition. I need pity not ridicule!
ivor
says...
9:22pm Tue 23 Jun 09
I guess the study of doors is an open and shut subject then....
ivor
says...
9:22pm Tue 23 Jun 09
If the doors are constantly breaking down then they should have been replaced years ago!
The bit about me having to have a sit down was all part of my lunchtime adventure. Life is so busy these days so it’s nice to have a rest once in a while. Look on the bright side, at least I didn’t nod off while sitting outside the fire station!
ivor
says...
9:22pm Tue 23 Jun 09
But the 60’s were a wonderful time! Who can dispute that?
ivor
says...
9:22pm Tue 23 Jun 09
People will probably lay all this at my door but I can assure you that my door is painted smartly and ready for inspection at any time!
How you mean “unblogging”? Is that a new term?
ivor
says...
9:23pm Tue 23 Jun 09
Yes, lots of people are concerned about the state of the fire station doors!
ivor
says...
9:23pm Tue 23 Jun 09
The doors should look smart as well to give the firemen pride in their station and give a good impression to visitors to the town.
ivor
says...
9:23pm Tue 23 Jun 09
I am sure that the silent majority is with me on the door issue! After all it's an open and shut case!
smiley cat
says...
9:24pm Tue 23 Jun 09
If that is all that worries Ivor then he is a fortunate fellow.
Me -I couldn't give a monkeys about the fire station doors.
ivor
says...
9:28pm Tue 23 Jun 09
No. I can assure you that my life is filled with worry. The torment from my many problems keeps my mind occupied day and night.
Do you not have any pride in Wycombe? Surely you would like to see some nice doors on our historic fire station?
Melanie1
says...
9:38pm Tue 23 Jun 09
ivor wrote:But your torment doesn't effect your appetite? Having said that you state 'keeps my mind occupied night and day' - I'd suggest that the smaller the mind/brain the easier it is to keep it occupied.
Re the comments of smiley cat at 9:24pm No. I can assure you that my life is filled with worry. The torment from my many problems keeps my mind occupied day and night. Do you not have any pride in Wycombe? Surely you would like to see some nice doors on our historic fire station?
smiley cat
says...
9:40pm Tue 23 Jun 09
ivor wrote:I give it no thought whatsoever.
Re the comments of smiley cat at 9:24pm No. I can assure you that my life is filled with worry. The torment from my many problems keeps my mind occupied day and night. Do you not have any pride in Wycombe? Surely you would like to see some nice doors on our historic fire station?
As long as the doors work and the firemen can do their job, they could be florescent green with purple spots as far as I am concerned.
ivor
says...
9:41pm Tue 23 Jun 09
I fear my over eating is a direct result of the stress daily life.
Oh dear, what a terrible thing to say about the size of my brain. All I can say is that someone with as many worries as myself my have a extra large brain to deal with them all.
ivor
says...
9:43pm Tue 23 Jun 09
No. I don’t think we need fluorescent green doors with purple spots!
I see that you are just prepared to accept anything whereas I care very much about Wycombe and would like to see the town great once again. It’s the attention to detail that we are lacking.
smiley cat
says...
9:44pm Tue 23 Jun 09
ivor wrote:****
Re the comments of smiley cat at 9:40pm No. I don’t think we need fluorescent green doors with purple spots! I see that you are just prepared to accept anything whereas I care very much about Wycombe and would like to see the town great once again. It’s the attention to detail that we are lacking.
smiley cat
says...
9:45pm Tue 23 Jun 09
smiley cat wrote:Ohh sorry...
ivor wrote: Re the comments of smiley cat at 9:40pm No. I don’t think we need fluorescent green doors with purple spots! I see that you are just prepared to accept anything whereas I care very much about Wycombe and would like to see the town great once again. It’s the attention to detail that we are lacking.****
that should have read..
TW.AT
ivor
says...
9:49pm Tue 23 Jun 09
Oh dear. Now you have started using bad language I assume that you are angry with me. I only wanted to make Wycombe a better place for us to live in....
smiley cat
says...
10:05pm Tue 23 Jun 09
ivor wrote:I am happy with the way it is.
Re the comments of smiley cat at 9:45pm Oh dear. Now you have started using bad language I assume that you are angry with me. I only wanted to make Wycombe a better place for us to live in....
I don't like Wycombe according to Ivor.
tom.marlow
says...
10:41pm Tue 23 Jun 09
None of that old 60s carp here
Take a look
www.cbgc.com/catalog
ue_item.php?catID=53
4&prodID=2083&PHPSES
SID=dcd448609a0e523d
75d614a9567b9648
tom.marlow
says...
10:42pm Tue 23 Jun 09
ivor wrote:Oh dear its losing the quotes again...
Re the comments of tom.marlow at 8:12pm Oh dear. I am sorry to hear of your lack of interest in the fire station doors. What colour are the Marlow fire station doors then?
This is what my previous comment was in repsonse to.
ivor
says...
10:46pm Tue 23 Jun 09
So you are happy with Wycombe the way it is? It’s no good staying still as stagnation will set in! Do you not have ambition? Do you not have drive? Do you not have vision? I do....
ivor
says...
10:46pm Tue 23 Jun 09
Well, I would not say that was a proper fire station? White doors! They would be more at home at an ambulance station with a red cross on them!
So they paid £1.75m for that! Well, it’s no wonder that Wycombe has had to put up with faded doors as all the money seems to have been spent in Marlow!
Perhaps I could do a blog on the fire stations of south Bucks? I feel that Wycombe’s marvellous 1960’s masterpiece is the best fire station around!
ivor
says...
10:47pm Tue 23 Jun 09
It’s the new-fangled modern technology! You never had that problem with a proper typewriter and paper!
smiley cat
says...
11:23pm Tue 23 Jun 09
ivor wrote:Do you know what?
Re the comments of smiley cat at 10:05pm So you are happy with Wycombe the way it is? It’s no good staying still as stagnation will set in! Do you not have ambition? Do you not have drive? Do you not have vision? I do....
This comment is so inane that I am not even going to comment.
Others will have fun tho .
ivor
says...
11:30pm Tue 23 Jun 09
Oh dear. I fear that I am not being taken seriously.
OllieNewbury
says...
11:43pm Tue 23 Jun 09
ivor wrote:That fire station looks great. Far too modern for old fatty!
Re the comments of tom.marlow at 10:41pm
Well, I would not say that was a proper fire station? White doors! They would be more at home at an ambulance station with a red cross on them!
So they paid £1.75m for that! Well, it’s no wonder that Wycombe has had to put up with faded doors as all the money seems to have been spent in Marlow!
Perhaps I could do a blog on the fire stations of south Bucks? I feel that Wycombe’s marvellous 1960’s masterpiece is the best fire station around!
OllieNewbury
says...
11:44pm Tue 23 Jun 09
ivor wrote:Then why do you use a laptop? You bend your own rules so much, do you know that?
Re the comments of tom.marlow at 10:42pm
It’s the new-fangled modern technology! You never had that problem with a proper typewriter and paper!
OllieNewbury
says...
11:48pm Tue 23 Jun 09
smiley cat wrote:Wycombe is not in stagnation. The old fuddy-duddies like Ivor say it is, but they want Wycombe to return to the slum it was in the 50s.
ivor wrote:Do you know what?
Re the comments of smiley cat at 10:05pm So you are happy with Wycombe the way it is? It’s no good staying still as stagnation will set in! Do you not have ambition? Do you not have drive? Do you not have vision? I do....
This comment is so inane that I am not even going to comment.
Others will have fun tho .
Do you have drive Ivor? Your claim that you have ambition rests on the apparent fact that WDC councillors are perusing this blog for ideas. That is b*llocks.
Ivor, I want good blogs. Not ones about fire station doors and what you think about them. This is a very POOR blog.
ivor
says...
11:57pm Tue 23 Jun 09
But that new fire station is lacking heritage! No doubt the architecture will go out of style in a few years and it will turn into a laughing stock!
ivor
says...
11:57pm Tue 23 Jun 09
Unfortunately my typewriter can no connect to the internet if it could believe you me I would be using it now!
I mostly use my laptop in bed as it is rather impractical to use a desktop computer in bed!
ivor
says...
11:58pm Tue 23 Jun 09
Wycombe was not a slum in the 50’s! How dare you decry your town is such a way!
Yes, I have drive! I have passion! What’s more I care for Wycombe!
Oh dear, and I was doing so well with good blogs. Oh deary, deary me....
OllieNewbury
says...
12:07am Wed 24 Jun 09
ivor wrote:That new station looks great and is probably much safer and easier to work in.
Re the comments of OllieNewbury at 11:43pm
But that new fire station is lacking heritage! No doubt the architecture will go out of style in a few years and it will turn into a laughing stock!
Do you judge things purely on their appearance?
OllieNewbury
says...
12:09am Wed 24 Jun 09
ivor wrote:Err... no. You are still contradicting yourself. You seem to be a luddite who uses the internet and a laptop!
Re the comments of OllieNewbury at 11:44pm
Unfortunately my typewriter can no connect to the internet if it could believe you me I would be using it now!
I mostly use my laptop in bed as it is rather impractical to use a desktop computer in bed!
Wierd...
OllieNewbury
says...
12:13am Wed 24 Jun 09
ivor wrote:I'd rather believe my father, who has lived here for over forty years. He says Wycombe was a dump years ago.
Re the comments of OllieNewbury at 11:48pm
Wycombe was not a slum in the 50’s! How dare you decry your town is such a way!
Yes, I have drive! I have passion! What’s more I care for Wycombe!
Oh dear, and I was doing so well with good blogs. Oh deary, deary me....
Places like Newlands were slums. Small overcrowded houses next to the river with unacceptable living conditions. No wonder most of it was demolished in the 60s.
I care about Wycombe too, but you and I have different tastes, so we will always disagree on that. I think Wycombe's doing fine as it is.
A blog about doors is not what I expected!
ivor
says...
1:30am Wed 24 Jun 09
Surely the whole point of a building is its appearance and functionality!
How do you know that the new fire station in Marlow is easier and safer to work in?
ivor
says...
1:30am Wed 24 Jun 09
Indeed I do use the internet and a laptop. You have to keep pace with modern developments even if their use turns out to be a daily battle with the infernal technology!
ivor
says...
1:30am Wed 24 Jun 09
But did your father think Wycombe was a dump at the time or is he looking back and comparing the Wycombe of old with the Wycombe of today?
Indeed Newlands was a slum and it was demolished because it was so bad. Sadly we did lose many pieces of our heritage in the 60’s.
I also think that Wycombe is doing fine but we differ because I think that it could be doing better whereas you a prepared to accept the standards of today. I say let’s do even better and show the other towns up!
brachyura
says...
6:41am Wed 24 Jun 09
This is the name used by the musician and journalist Robert "Doc" Cox who specialises in smutty songs. Are you infringing his copyright by publishing work in the BFP under his name?
Anyway will contact his record company to find out.
s/w: court-case
J B Blackett
says...
8:38pm Thu 25 Jun 09
As I said approximately a year ago (on this site) ,these doors only just need a good clean , waxing and/or oiling.
The 'bloom' (faded paintwork ) that is visible can be removed with a sponge and a bucket of warm soapy water.
Just go up to it and wet your index finger and draw it slowly across the surface. It will leave a 'clean' red streak.
Don't do this if anyone is watching or you might get charged with damaging the Service's property, and you will be escorted to the Police station near-by (if by chance it happens to be open).
Still it would have been only tax payers' money and once upon a time there used to be plenty more where that came from - not these days unfortunately.
Here's the Deal :
I'd clean the lot for the supply of a bucket, a supply of warm water (I'd bring the soap), ladder (has the fire station got one ? If not I'll bring mine and a sponge and polish and oil and my own refreshments)
And I would require remuneration equivalent to that of the minimum wage rate (I estimate about 5 to 6 hours work as the doors have been neglected for so long - I know the hinges must be OK, otherwise the fire appliances would never leave the premises)
I'd make those doors look so red clean and shiny , that people would come for miles around just to admire them (possibly)
But I suspect The H & S Executive would not permit it.
Thus the problem/ situation would seem to be stuck in a bureaucratic impasse (no funds - no action) ; not uncommon in today's England, I'm afraid.
Regards
ivor
says...
5:16am Sun 28 Jun 09
As you say the doors only need cleaning but I’m sure a coat of paint would be best. There is no need to replace the doors but I guess the tax payer foots the bill.
If I was younger and fitter I was also volunteer to rejuvenate the doors but alas my days of clambering up ladders is long gone.
Thank you for you much valued comment.
localmanhassay
says...
11:19pm Sun 28 Jun 09
ivor
says...
3:04am Mon 29 Jun 09
Yes, I quite agree. I do hope they can manage to save the current doors but if they have to be replaced then something to match the 1960's style of architecture would be preferable.
Perhaps they could install some doors similar to the original wooden ones that first graced the station when it was opened all those years ago.
Thank you for your valued comment.
You ain't seen me
says...
1:06pm Mon 29 Jun 09
* Reads a load of Ivors dribble
* Gets depressed
* Logs off again
SW: ivor-arse
ivor
says...
6:42pm Tue 30 Jun 09
I take it that you do not like this particular blog then?
The fire station at Abbey Way
In this section
- Welcome to Nature Connections
- The writing is on the wall for the traditional bookshop
- 'Snowmaggedon' – I Don’t Think Snow
- What can you do on a cold day in Wycombe?
- Are you worried about the cold this Winter?
- Airbrushing – what of it?
- The snow has arrived
- The lights are on but everyone’s at home
- Numbers!
- Its about to get colder
tom.marlow says...
8:12pm Tue 23 Jun 09
A door is a door. So long as it keeps you warm and cosy in the winter and keeps the riff-raff out then its doing its job.
The new fire station in Marlow has nice doors - they are not that horrible garish red.