In 1994 BSARU purchased their first team vehicle, a 2nd hand 4 x 4 Ford Transit van which had to be housed in temporary premises. The team had/has the use of a garage at Kelso Police station, but the team control trailer occupied that space.
Kelso Racecourse granted the team a site with a 25 year lease on their grounds in 1997 and the team applied for permission to build a garage. Plans were for a 3-bay garage with two to be occupied by the team and one to house the Racecourse’s Bedford ambulance. Fund raising for the £19,000 build was organised by Stuart Fuller-Shapcott and it was completed in April 1998.
Later the Racecourse disposed of their ambulance and use of the third bay reverted to the team.
While the garage has served its purpose, its lack of facilities for team members is an issue. For some time, the team has been looking for suitable premises to renovate or land on which to build a team base. After protracted negotiations with SBC, the team has purchased a plot at Pinnacle Hill Industrial Estate, Kelso.
To read more and see a photograph on this exciting initiative, have a look at the teams’ website and our facebook page.
Fund raising for the new build continues along with other work to progress the project.
