Meet Paul from Mansfield Fire Museum

Paul Davidson has been a volunteer at the Mansfield Fire Museum for just under 40 years.

Paul's always lived in Mansfield and was born and raised in Forest Town, where he now lives.

Memories of the pantomimes at Mansfield Fire Station that his mum and dad were involved in take Paul back to his childhood.

This is where he developed a close affection for the fire service, with his dad serving 25 years as a firefighter with the Auxiliary Fire Service during WWII. His mum worked at Mansfield Fire Station too so the station, and Service, means a lot to him.

When Paul Horton invited him to get involved in the museum, Paul jumped at the chance and has been volunteering ever since.

"I just love the museum. It’s in my blood. When everyone comes round it blows their mind away", Paul says.

The Museum can be found behind Mansfield Fire Station, where the old Training School used to be, that dates back to 1939.

The Museum boasts a unique collection spanning from 1600s to present day. They hold the biggest collection of cap badges in the UK and over 200 different helmets from all over the world, thought to be one of the biggest collections.

The most rare attraction is a squirt from the Great Fire of London in 1666, one of only a handful that survive in the world today.

Visitors can see how firefighting equipment has evolved with pumps from Welbeck Estate, Hardwick Hall and John Players cigarette factory, through to a 2003 Dennis Sabre fire engine.

All the appliances are available to go out to community events and the museum can be visited by schools or community groups.

The Museum is open to the public by appointment only because the Museum is run by volunteers. A minimum donation of £1 per person would be appreciated.

You can book a visit through the website and can follow their page on Facebook.