I'VE just spent 30 minutes flicking through copies of The Northern Echo from October 1930 for the BBC's Antiques Roadshow. Apparently someone turned up at one of their events clutching a photograph that appeared in the paper, and they are interested in using it in a forthcoming programme.

The big disappointment from my point of view is that nowhere in October 1930's pages could I find the picture, so perhaps the Echo is not now going to get its moment of fame on the Roadshow.

How to make use of the time I've just lost? Well, as I was flicking through I was taken by these pictures showing Middlesbrough's fire brigade showing off its new engine at the Transporter Bridge.

Visitors from other local corporations were "greatly impressed with the efficiency of the new engine", said the Echo's report.

"The powerful pump drew up a great volume of water to be sprayed away in long jets into the river. It can cope with 500 gallons of water a minute." I wonder what modern engines can deliver.

Also impressed by the new engine were two old-timers, Daniel Moore and Benjamin Bellas, who started as Boro firemen in the 1880s.

"In place of the electric call system now used, they were called by rockets being sent up, and men knocking on the door of each fireman's house," said the Echo. "When they were called out they had to get steam up on the old steam engine, and instead of being rushed to the fire in a swift tender, they very often had to run to the spot, taking some of the equipment with them on small carts."

This reminds me of the story in this Wednesday's Memories about the devastating fire at Wynyard Hall in 1841. I wonder if people in a couple of generations' time will look back on our Dennis engines and snigger.