The Paper Trail Heritage Fire Brigade is a band of very dedicated volunteers many of whom have Fire Brigade or Volunteer Fire Brigade backgrounds. This team maintain and operate our 1938 Dennis Ace fire engine, taking it to many motor, country and county fairs during the course of the year.

The Paper Trail (Heritage) Fire Brigade was formed on 2nd February 2007 when members of the South Midland District of the British Fire Services Association joined forces with the Apsley Paper Trail. The Brigade is made up of ex John Dickinson firemen, Leighton Buzzard firemen and other enthusiasts. The main purpose of the PTHFB is to maintain and run the historic fire appliances based at Frogmore Paper Mill for the benefit and enjoyment of visitors and the local community.

Both John Dickinson and The British Paper Company ran their own Private Fire Brigades up until about 1990. Dickinson’s formed their Fire Brigade in 1883 with Frogmore starting theirs in 1893. Information on both Fire Brigades including photographs is available at the Paper Trail Archive which is based in the visitor centre.