Return of popular Johnstone Fire Engine Rally could be on the cards amid councillor's plea
A return of the much-loved Johnstone Fire Engine Rally could be on the cards as Renfrewshire Council develops a calendar of cultural events for its town centres.
Councillor Andy Doig delivered a plea to reinstate the popular parade of the vintage engines from the fire station to Houstoun Square at last week's full council meeting.
The independent politician received the unanimous support of elected members in the chambers for his motion on Thursday.
The call was issued amid a suggestion the hot topic may already be under consideration by the local authority as part of a £150,000 budget investment.
Councillor Doig, an independent representative for Johnstone North and the surrounding villages, explained why he is so eager to see the re-emergence of the rally which ran in the town from 2014 until 2019.
He told the Paisley Daily Express: "I wanted to make it clear there was a feeling among the community and among the traders that it would be a good thing to bring it back.
"For a number of years, right up until Covid, it was an extremely successful event because what they did was the fire tenders would meet at the fire station in Johnstone and they would come down to Houstoun Square.
"It was a big event and people could see them coming down then go to the square.
"It was magic. There would always be a bit of a buzz about the place and the traders would really benefit.
Youngsters would have the opportunity to climb on board the various emergency vehicles and see how they had transformed over the years.
Councillor Doig added: "It was a great event for families because the kids loved it. It was always very popular with the children of Johnstone."
The veteran politician's motion, which was agreed at the meeting without a hitch, asked the local authority to recognise the "success and popularity" of the rally for both retailers and the community alike in the past.
It added: "Council instructs the council's events team to liaise with the Fire Brigades Union and calls for the reinstatement of the Johnstone Fire Engine Rally as soon as possible."
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