A march took place on Sunday aimed against the Council’s proposal to close seven Retained fire stations across Warwickshire.

Warwick, Bidford, Brinklow, Kenilworth, Studley, Fenny Compton and Bedworth stations are all down for closure under the document entitled ‘A fitter, stronger Fire & Rescue Service’, the public consultation closes on 8 December.

The march was attended by hundreds of protestors including, local firefighters, members of the public, various unions including the RFU, FBU and Unison and a number of local politicians. The march which began at Warwick Racecourse walked through the town of Warwick toward Warwickshire Council HQ, Shire Hall, where a number of speeches were given to a rapturous reception. Our thanks go to the organisers of the march especially Karen Scarrott.

It has become apparent over the last 12 weeks that the only supporters of the proposals are the elected members and senior managers within WFRS. It would be fair to say that at every public consultation meeting, the representatives from WFRS have lost the argument when taken to task by the public and stakeholders, mainly due to the proposals being based on assumptions and unreliable information rather than robust factual data.

The RFU will be publishing its response to the proposals on 9 December.

Tony Morgan, the Warwickshire chair of the RFU (holding the banner on the left) and the union's general secretary, John Barton (right end of the banner), march to save 100 of their colleague's jobs.

Labour's Warwick and Leamington MP James Plaskitt (left) and Conservative Jeremy Wright, from Kenilworth, join forces to save seven fire stations across Warwickshire.

March organiser Karen Scarrott (centre) with the Conservative candidate for Warwick, Chris White (left) pose for the cameras in front of the demonstrators at Shire Hall.

Protest to save seven fire stations across Warwickshire.

General view of the protesters at the Shire Hall.