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Fire Marks: A fascinating slice of British histo- 1y is being restored by a Prince Albert woman. Fire Marks. The name may not mean anything 10 a lot of Canadians in * 1992, but in 17th century London they had a crucial role in saving homes and places of businéss from the ravages of fire. plaques nailed to the front of a home ar business. touch of British history" The Marks were issued by insur- ance companies of the day, who also employed their own fire brigades. When an alarm went out, the brigades would race to the scene. and then check to see if their insurance company's "mark" was on the build- ing. If it was, they would try 10 put the blaze out. If the building had no mark or that of a rival insurance company, the brigade would tum around and head - All at Guaranteed Low Prices! FAMOUS Levolore 74 BLINDS VERTICALS * VENETIANS PLEATED SHADES HOMESTEAD by Ballard & Carnegie 3 HWY. 7A EAST - PORT PERRY 985-2451 or 985-2157 Paul Van Camp CHARTERED ACCOUNT 204 Casimir Street, PORT PERRY, rio - LIL 1B7 we 985-9725 Financial Accounting Business Consulting Income Tax Planning & Consulting Financial Planning & Projections CORPORATIONS - FARMS INDIVIDUALS - SMALL BUSINESS Zo RIVERBOAT home, leaving the structure © bum © the ground unless somebody else artived to fight it. Florence Cali, a Prince Albert resi- dent for the last three years, has started p g these par fire marks Gsing tough ceramic stone, rather than metal. And Ms. Cali has found a growing nies and brokers who like wo display them on office and board room walls, or 10 present them to customers. Many of the insurance companies that did business in the 17th and 18th ness on both sides of the Atlantic. 'The Marks come in various sizes have a distinctive design such as a lion, acrown, a castle or a knight in armour. the Mark in ceramic, "Everything is done by hand, and yes, there is quite a bit of work that goes into each one," she told the Citizen in a recent interview. In just over a year, she has taken orders for more than 300 Fire Mark reproductions, iochuling 3 kg ore Guardian Insurance in Toronto. a Toro experience for Ms. Cali whose work- ing background is in compuers and ut her father, Edward Vivian Jackson, 82, a resident of London has Brigade and his customers include Lloyd's of London for sale in the com- pany gift shop. 15 WATER ST., PORT PERRY. 983-3181 Florence Cali of Prince Albert displays some of the Fire Marks she has been reproducing the past year or so. Just in case you didn't know Fire Marks date from the 17th century, where they had a unique use by carly fire insurance companies. (See story) Ironically, Ms. Cali said she "didn't pay much attention" to the Marks made by her father until a visit in 1991 when it was suggested she take this work back 10 Canada. Her father is the only person repro- ducing the Marks in Britain and Ms.Cali is the only one doing this wark in Canada. Back in 1866, the Great Fire swept through London destroying much of the city. Just a year later, the first fire insurance was set up called the "Fire Office." It soon became known as the Phoenix and in the next few years, dozens more sprang up, each with ifs distinctive Mark. Not only did the Marks indicate 10 the fire brigades that a building was insured, they helped brigades locate names. By 1680, there were over 150 fire insurance companies in London, each with its distinctive Mark. They started 10 go out of use early in the 20th century with the formation of municipal fire brigades in Britain. Since getting into the reproduction of Fire Marks, Ms. Cali has formed her own company, E.V. Jackson Canada. Anyone wishing information on this facinating subject can call her at 985-1425. "Reaching Out" and should his stay be brief, than we've Last week | was given this poem by a lady who folifid it helpful after the death of her eldest son a few years ago. | would like to share it with the hope that it may comfort someone else. "I'll lend you for, a little time a child of mine," He said. "For you to love the while he lives, and mourn for when he's dead. It may be six or seven years or twenty-two or three. * But will you, till | call him back;-take care of him for me? He'll bring his charms to gladden you, You'll have his lovely memories as solace for your grief. 1 cannot promise he will stay, since all from earth return, But there are lessons taught down there | want this child to learn. I've looked this wide world over in my search for teachers true, And from the throngs that crowd life's lanes, | have selected you. Now will you give him all your love, nor think the labour vain. Nor hate me when | come to call to take him back again?" | fancy that | heard them say, "Dear Lord, Thy will be done, For all the joy thy child shall bring, the risk of grief we'll run. We'll shelter him with tenderness, we'll love him while we may, And for the happiness we've known, forever grateful stay. But should the Angels call for him much sooner Wel brave the be ri ht comes and vy bo undorta." Author Unknown.