These proud firemen were snapped back in 1907, probably while demonstrating their new equipment, acquired when they moved to their current North Street base, including their brand-new fire engine. Their ladders have been set up in the Gun Garden up against the Barbican Gate. It may be that the Castle was one of the ‘strategic points’ where they kept ladders and practised using them from time to time: there weren’t otherwise very many tall buildings they could practice against without disrupting traffic. Thanks to Dr Sally White from the Sussex Archaeological Society for her research on this piece. The SAS, also known as Sussex Past, have a vast stock of historical pictures taken in and around town. If you are interested in obtaining prints of this, or other pictures we have published in this space, you can contact them at 405736. The SS are currently raising money to refurbish the Castle and Barbican House. If you are interested in making a donation, please call the same number.