Going, going, gone

The crew couldn’t have hoped for a better send off!  The Grand Square in the Old Royal Naval College, Greenwich, was the perfect location.  We were surrounded by great English Architecture, with a backdrop of Canary Wharf across the river and Greenwich Observatory in the distance.  The venue was significant because Greenwich was chosen, back in 1884, as the Prime Meridian of the world, Longitude Zero (0° 0’ 0”).

The morning started off like a photo shoot, with the crew being ‘papped’ from all angles.  The photocall seemed never ending, but they didn’t seem to mind, the cheesy grins just kept on coming!

As more and more friends, family and supporters started arriving, there was a real buzz and excitement in the air.  Everything had been building up to this day and we couldn’t believe it was finally here!  Things livened up even more when Fire Fighters from Greenwich Fire Station arrived with their appliances to show their support!

Time seemed to fly by, and at 11:30 everyone assembled on the grand steps, it was time for the farewell speeches.  Our friends from the three Follow That Fire Engine chosen charities had kindly travelled to Greenwich, from far and wide, especially to wish the crew good luck and Godspeed.  An emotional Steve thanked everyone involved in the expedition for their unbelievable help and support over the last year, Follow That Fire Engine wouldn’t have got to this day, without you.

In tribute to Garth Moore, Steve said a few words to remember the man himself, who knows what he would make of all this!

With time ticking away, Paul Barham had a huge surprise in store for Steve and the crew… the biggest bottle of champagne you’ve ever seen in your life!  However, getting the cork out of the bottle proved somewhat of a struggle.  The bottle was passed from Steve to Chris, and Chris to Steve, each hoping for that Formula 1 moment.  The cork couldn’t be budged as the crowd waited with bated breath and plastic cups at the ready.  After much too-ing and fro-ing Paul (quadruple Ironman) was drafted in to sort out the situation.  Not knowing his own strength he managed to break the top off the cork, much to the amusement of the crowd!  Luckily a cork screw saved the day, the boys got their moment and a few people were lucky enough to be covered in the good stuff!

At 11:50, just in the nick of time, David Squire, Poole Town Crier (the longest serving Town Crier on the planet) arrived to publicly announce the Follow That Fire Engine Expedition, wish the crew good luck and set Martha on her way.  As Verity Moore had the honour of cutting the FTFE launch ribbon, it was no turning back for Martha, as she joined the convoy of London Fire Brigade Engines who were to escort her out of Greenwich and off into the big wide world.  Good luck Martha, come home safe!

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