Looking back... Second fire station for Newtownabbey deemed ‘too expensive’

A report in the Larne Times stated that this was the third year which the standard had been maintained.

The inspection was carried out by Commander G.H Murphy OBE.

Section leader J. Kyle and his team, who were all part-time, were praised for the way in which they carried out a drill, in particular, the speed at which they turned out to a supposed fire in Newtownabbey.

The Glengormley facility was the sole station in Newtownabbey.

The urban council’s request for a full-time station at the corner of Doagh Road and Station Road was turned down by the Northern Ireland Fire Authority on the grounds that it would cost £35,000 annually to operate.

Meanwhile Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh were invited to visit Newtownabbey during a forthcoming trip to the province that summer.

The decision was taken at a meeting of the council.

Town clerk Alan Martin said that he would write to Buckingham Palace.