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Adam and Eve put out fires before Green Goddesses were born
From the Swindon Advertiser, first published Tuesday 10th Dec 2002.
THESE two old fire engines make the army's Green Goddesses look positively state-of-the-art.
They stand proudly in place in St Michael's church in Aldbourne.
Called Adam and Eve, they were built with solid metal rims around 1778, and retired more than 100 years ago.
Now the village, which has a population of some 1,700 people, is covered by modern fire engines, based in nearby Ramsbury.
Churchwarden Brian Lincoln said: "I think they were both used until the turn of the century and put in the church at about this time.
"The church was the only place big enough to house them and that's how they were given their names.
"In theory it should be rudimentary to work them. I'm not sure many people would know how to use them these days."
Rev John Railton, vicar of St Michael's, said: "It's highly unlikely they would be used today.
"I don't think anyone would remotely consider the possibility of deploying them."
The engines are admired by a steady stream of visitors to the 12th century church.
The church is open to the public every day between 9am and 4pm.
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