Steming in with help! (From Barry And District News)

Steming in with help!

TWO WARM-hearted Barry women have cooked up a tasty treat for the picketing firefighters.

Firm supporters of the strike, Heidi Dutton, 32, and her sister Simone, 31, took up a steaming pot of stew and dumplings to help the crew ward off the cold.

Colcot resident Simone told the News: "It's obvious that we are right behind the fire fighters strike. They do a fantastic job and deserve recognition for it.

"This is just a little something that will help them keep warm, and hopefully lift their spirits a bit, too."

The sisters dressed up as Mother Christmas and delivered the pot of hot food to the Port Road station on Thursday, November 28.

Station officer Richard Pendergast said: "This kind of action is much appreciated. "The support we have seen from the public has been immense.

"We are grateful not just for the donations of food and money, which will be pooled centrally by the Fire Brigade Union for a hardship fund, but for the strength of feeling for our cause."

Firefighter Pete Jury added: "From the toots as people go past to the generous amounts of food being dropped off here to keep us going, the examples of public endorsement for our strike have been brilliant.

"Simone and Heidi's offering of hot stew is great, and the fact they turned up dressed in Mother Christmas outfits really gave us all a huge boost."

But officers also offered a word of warning.

Station officer Pendergast stressed: "If the strikes are to continue, we urge members of the public to be extra vigilant.

We do not want to see people get hurt.

"It has been said before, but we do care and none of us want to be on strike.

"We are all looking forward to a speedy resolution to this dispute without cuts in the service, so we can get on with our jobs."