RICHARD Potter, of Filmer Lane, tells me that he was a retained fire fighter at Sevenoaks before serving at Seal (1999-2006) and enjoyed seeing the photograph of the men of the old Seal Fire Brigade on this page a couple of weeks ago.

He writes: "I don't know the date of the photograph but there are a number of historical artefacts at Seal Fire Station, including a helmet from the officer in charge of the station, which is very much like the one shown.

"On the wall is the original insurance certificate requiring the brigade to attend incidents at Wildernesse (now Dorton) House.

"I don't know if you are aware but the fire station was built to serve the house and Seal village."

As the modern Kent Fire & Rescue Service goes, it's very unusual to have a fire station like Seal so close to a main one like Sevenoaks.

However, in the 1800s there was a fire station in almost every village including Brasted, Dunton Green, Shoreham and Downe.

Richard says the station was built in 1887 and he believes it is the oldest in the present KFRS.

It is a listed building so it hasn't been modernised and is the only station not owned by the KFRS.

Seal Parish Council has an agreement with KFRS so the village supplies the fire engine and equipment at no rent.

This is the reason the station has never been closed. There was an attempt to do this a few years ago but plans were withdrawn when KFRS discovered it could only withdraw equipment.

There is nothing to prevent the parish running a volunteer fire appliance from the premises.

"The location next to the recreation ground was deliberate," writes Richard, "because this is where they used to keep the horses.

"The red pole outside in the yard, which now houses a spotlight, used to hold the wailing siren.

"This alerted the firefighters during the day via the electrical bells on their front doors which were activated by the GPO.

"The interior of the fire station contains many old photographs from jobs and past members.

"Many still live locally including myself. There is also a photograph on the wall of the Five Bells showing a fire brigade funeral passing the pub.

"No-one could ever ascertain who it was for or when it took place."

Richard says the signing on/off duty book for crew members during the Second World War still exists, though there is no information about incidents they attended.

"Before amalgamating into Kent Fire Brigade, the pump at Seal Fire Brigade was an ex-London appliance brought for cash by the station officer who owned the hardware store in the High Street.

How things have changed?

"Finally," he says, "the present station manager, Dave Martin is the longest serving Retained SM in the present KFRS. He joined in 1974."

I am grateful to Richard for this information and also to Peter Finch, of Westerham, who asks if I can remember the name of a station officer of Seal Fire Brigade who became a kind of legend in his community.

I remember him well, Peter.

His name was Bob Bates and he owned the motor car garage in Seal High Street.

He was renowned for the 1902 Benz which he regularly entered in the London to Brighton rally and also for his dedication to the fire brigade.

He kept his fire-fighting uniform and kit in the car so he was ready for every emergency.

Bob rose to station officer and, on his retirement received the British Empire Medal.

Here is a picture of him in front of his men talking to the late Duke of Kent.