Citizen Firefighter Traditional Geocache
Lorgadh: As the owner has not responded to my previous log requesting that they check this cache I am archiving it.
If you wish to email me please send your email via my profile (click on my name) and quote the cache name and number.
Regards
Karen
Lorgadh - Volunteer UK Reviewer www.geocaching.com
UK Geocaching Policies Wiki
Geocaching Help Center
-
Difficulty:
-
-
Terrain:
-
Size: 
(micro)
Please note Use of geocaching.com services is subject to the terms and conditions
in our disclaimer.
The Statue can be found close to the cache location at N 55° 51.636 W 004° 15.517
Please note GPSr reception at the cache location is very poor due to buildings in city centre
Extreme stealth required!
Please replace cache exactly as you found it.
Extreme stealth required as this is a very busy area
On 17th June 2001, a bronze sculpture entitled "Citizen Firefighter" was unveiled in Glasgow city centre. The statue by Kenny Hunter, one of Scotland's foremost sculptors, is a tribute to all firefighters past and present who have served in Strathclyde Fire & Rescue.
The work was commissioned by SFR as part of three challenges given to it's Millennium Working Group. The first two projects, an ecumenical service at Glasgow Cathedral and a Fire Service Exhibition within George Square in Glasgow were an outstanding success.
However, as difficult and challenging as these projects seemed at the time to prepare and organise, they bore no significance to the work and dedication required by the team to complete the third and easily the most challenging project - to raise funds for the commissioning, siting and unveiling of a bronze sculpture within the SFR area so as to recognise the contribution and to celebrate the work of firefighters, both past and present, for their service to the community.
With no budget available the team set out on a fundraising extravaganza within the length and breadth of SFR's vast area. From plant sales at Ayr, Bishopbriggs, Milngavie, dances at Calton and Yorkhill, car washes/open days at Polmadie and Clarkston, to the selling of firefighter bugs at Campbeltown and numerous other events helped to raise the fund's coffers. A major boost to the project was the announcement that SFR was to receive an award of £15,000 from the Lord Provost of Glasgow's Millennium Fund as winners of a prestigious art competition.
A short list committee formed from representatives of SFR, Glasgow City Council and the art world had the difficult task of selecting an artist to be commissioned for the work. The person chosen was Kenny Hunter, a well known and respected Scottish artist. To gain an understanding of the work of the Fire Service, Mr. Hunter spent time in all departments of SFR, and experienced firefighting first-hand by attending various incidents with a crew from Maryhill Fire Station. He commented "These experiences became a vital part of the artwork's creative develoment".
It was always the intention of the team to have the finished artwork sited in an open street area, so as to enable the general public the opportunity to view and enjoy the statue as opposed to it being erected within SFR premises. The sculpture is for the communities we serve and should be seen by as many people as possible, not just the firefighters it represents.
With this in mind,and working closely with Glasgow City Council, a site on the corner of Hope Street and Gordon Street was identified. This is a very busy thoroughfare and is adjacent to the entrance of Glasgow Central, Scotland's busiest railway station. It is anticipated that the statue will become not only a city landmark, but also a meeting place for local people and visitors to the city.
Less than 3 months after it was unveiled, Citizen Firefighter became a focal point for the people of Glasgow after the terrible events of Tuesday September 11th in New York. The statue seemed to many to be the right place to leave flowers and tributes to the many firefighters who died in those events. On October 23rd 2001, the Scottish Fire Brigades held a ceremony of commemoration at Citizen Firefighter for those 343 members of the global family of the fire service that lost their lives in the selfless pursuit to save others.
Extreme stealth required!
Please replace cache exactly as you found it.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
gnxr n frng juvyr lbh jnvg sbe lbhe oynpx unpx (gnkv).