VISITORS to Altrincham Market tomorrow will have the chance to take a unique glimpse into the past.

Brian Burgess will be driving his 1954 Bedford RLHZ Self Propelled Emergency Pump – more commonly known as a ‘Green Goddess’ – to Altrincham Market on Saturday November 5.

Brian, a member of the Royal British Legion, will be parking the engine outside the Market Hall to help with the town’s poppy appeal.

Whilst serving in the RAF in 1977, Brian was detached to Bromley in Kent, along with another 30 RAF Police, to man a service fire station during the fire strike of 1977-78.

This is where he became driver and pump operator of PGW 163.

The Green Goddess was also deployed from storage in 2002 for another fire strike, again serving in London and manned by the Household Cavalry.

When the emergency pumps were cast from Home Office ownership from 2005, Brian bought the engine from the government and returned her to the original colours.

Don’t forget to call by and say hello to Brian and the Green Goddess!