Last Wednesday we presented 'red jackets' to 2 more trainees who had completed their training with the Team, and now become full Team members. Congratulations to Simon Reed and Steve Webb in joining the Team.

We are now proud to welcome two new team members, brother and sister Mountain Rescue Search Dogs Amber and Binnie (aka Bill). They passed rigorous assessment, searching five areas on mountains in the Lake District over the last three days. Throughout their intensive training they have shown what a huge asset they will be on call-outs, and it is the first time we have had dogs on our team in over fifteen years. Congratulations to their handlers Paula Holbrook and Chris Tuckett, who have continued with their other team responsibilities in addition to the demands of search dog training locally…

It was a rainy day in late October and my wife and I decided to take our dog for a walk at Parke near Bovey Tracey in Devon. On the way there I thought I’d better remind her that I was duty search manager that week, and as things turned out it was just as well. We had a lovely rainy walk in the damp woods at Parke and returned to the café to warm up and dry off. At 3pm we had just finished our drinks when I received a text from Devon & Cornwall Police asking for assistance…

2-2-2 for Dartmoor Rescue Normally this time of year many of us would be getting out and about on Dartmoor and in our wonderful Devon countryside, and our 4 rescue teams would have an exciting summer of fundraising events planned. Due to the coronavirus pandemic however we are all doing our bit to stay home and save lives, so many events have been cancelled. However, Mountain Rescue Teams across the country, including the 4 teams that make up the Dartmoor Rescue Group are still on call 24/7 to help the lost, missing and vulnerable. Whilst providing this essential voluntary service…

Prince William comes to Devon Team member Paula Holbrook along with North Dartmoor Search and Rescue Team Search Manager Dave Stoneman are waiting to speak to His Royal Highness The Duke of Cambridge who is visiting the firefighters charity’s Harcombe House centre in Chudleigh, Devon today on Emergency Services Day. Dartmoor Rescue volunteers waiting for HRH Prince William Harcombe House is a specialist centre for health and wellbeing support and supports many firefighters and their families throughout the year. Supporting the mental health of the emergency services Prince William is recognising the work of the Charity in supporting the UK’s…

Our Pauline Our team member and friend Pauline Richards suddenly collapsed whilst on duty with the team contributing to the safety cover for the two thousand four hundred young people taking part in this year’s Ten Tors Challenge. Pauline on a training weekend She was an active member of the team and in her time was a hill member, search dog handler, committee member, and in later years worked steadfastly to support our Search Managers in the Incident Control Vehicle.Pauline was one of our most sociable members who spoke to everyone from the newest trainee to the longest serving member.…

Stories of hairy hands, pillow mounds and parliaments From hairy hands to pillow mounds and parliaments; we had them all at our third sell-out Dartmoor in the Dark guided walk on Saturday. After two really successful 'Dartmoor in the Dark' night walks at Haytor and Hound Tor, we changed venues at the weekend to Two Bridges leading five groups of walkers out to Wistman's Wood for a slightly spookier walk complete with several 'stories' told at designated stopping points along the way. Teams walked just over three miles starting at the Two Bridges Hotel. Stops included Crockern Tor, Littaford Tor…

Volunteers and emergency services at Devon major incident Today the team took part in a multi-agency exercise that simulated a major incident involving multiple casualties. Volunteer search and rescue teams from across the region, supported by Devon & Cornwall 4x4 Response volunteers, worked alongside the full-time statutory services including the Devon and Somerset Fire & Rescue Service Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) team, SW Ambulance Hazardous Area Response Team (HART) and Devon and Cornwall Police. The exercise took place in Kingsteignton and included professionally made up casualties with very realistic injuries. Thanks to Sibelco for allowing the exercise to take…

Celebrating 125 years of volunteering with Dartmoor Search and Rescue Ashburton In 1993 John Major was the UK Prime Minister, Bill Clinton became President of the United States, mobile phones were the size and weight of a brick, Jurassic Park (the original) was showing in cinemas and the Channel Tunnel was still a year from opening. 1993 was also the year that five members of the public decided they would like to volunteer with Dartmoor Search and Rescue Ashburton. Here we are 25 years later and Paula, Kelvin, Julia, John and Ian are all still active members. To mark this…

Community support for Shaldon Primary School As a small charity of volunteers, we rely on the generosity of our team members and many supporters to remain operational helping those in need. Shaldon Primary School is one of those supporters who we have become to rely on for the successful running of our annual Templer Way Challenge kindly allowing us to use their minibuses to ferry walkers back to the start and their vehicles. So we were delighted to return the favour and provide them some support for a sponsored walk of their own. Children and parents in Year 6 stepped…

Prepared for a severe weather event on Haldon Hill Following 2 high profile severe weather events on the A38 and A380 at Haldon and Telegraph Hills in 2009 and 2010, (the latter event involved Dartmoor Search and Rescue Ashburton rescuing motorists), where drivers and their passengers were stranded for up to 8 hours following heavy snowfall, emergency response agencies have collaborated on a response plan so as to be fully prepared should a similar weather event happen again. Photo credit: Pete Sherman, DSRT Ashburton. DSRT response to Haldon Hill snow event 2010 The first event overnight on the 5th February…

New Year Honours recognition for Dartmoor Rescue We are delighted that one of the founding members of Dartmoor Search and Rescue Ashburton, Alec Collyer, received an MBE in the New Year Honours announced over Christmas. Photo credit: Matt Austin https://mattaustinimages.co.uk/ Alec has been involved in countless searches and rescues in Dartmoor for a staggering 42 years. In 1976 he was one of the founding members of the Dartmoor Search and Rescue Ashburton Team and continues as an active volunteer to this day. Our Team Leader Keith Lambeth said: 'To say that Alec is an important member of the team is…

LIBOR bank fines fund rescue training for volunteers Over the last two weekends, Dartmoor Search and Rescue Ashburton volunteers alongside sister Dartmoor teams Tavistock and Plymouth, and representatives from Exmoor and Cornwall search and rescue teams, attended a training course funded by the LIBOR financial fines which have been made available to Mountain Rescue for 'train the trainer' activities. The volunteers participated in the regional rollout of Mountain Rescue England and Wales Rope Rescue Operator Instructor courses delivered by climbing equipment manufacturer Lyon Equipment. The course focussed on being able to execute safe and effective rope rescues and to cascade…

In the 3rd of our series of Team Member Interviews, we interview team member and local celebrity Colin the Rescue Otter! Its great to have you in the team Colin. It’s not everyday that a Mountain Rescue team can boost a real celebrity in its ranks! So, now you are settled down with your glass of Devonia Sparkling Water chilled to 7 degrees and your blue M&M’s, i’ll ask you the first question. What is your role within the team and what does it involve? I am the newest member of the swift water team. My role involves helping the…

Ten Tors Support – every year for 40 years! On the Saturday afternoon during the Ten Tors event this year, history was made for one of the Dartmoor Rescue teams and in particular one of its stalwart volunteer members. Each year at Okehampton camp the military organisers recognise those organisations and volunteers who have supported the event for 10, 20 and 30 years. This year, as part of this quiet and understated presentation, Dartmoor Search and Rescue Team (Ashburton) and in particular one of their volunteers, Alec Collyer from Shaldon, were recognised for 40 years of continuous support to the…

In this series of team member interviews, we find out more about what makes our volunteers tick. For our fifth interview we talk to our Fundraising Officer Al Pewsey, What is your role within the team and what does it involve? Apart from a callout member I am also the team Fundraising Officer. We rely on the general public for around 92% of our funding so my main role is looking for opportunities for raising funds and liaising with our supporters who are vital to us remaining operational. It’s a fabulous job to have because I get to meet lots…

174 walk in heavy rain to raise over £7,500 for vital service An 18-mile sponsored walk has seen over £7,000 raised for the Dartmoor Search and Rescue Team based at Ashburton, as 174 people walked from the Haytor Quarry in Dartmoor National Park to Shaldon on the Devon coast. The Challenge, now in its 7th year, raises funds for the Ashburton based rescuers. The charity, which relies on fundraising to keep its team of volunteers fully equipped and prepared to deal with the many incidents it’s asked to attend by the full-time emergency services each year. Alan Pewsey of Dartmoor…

There we were in a perfect arctic huddle on a remote hill side in southern Dartmoor waiting for the aircraft. We heard the rotor noise and the helicopter landed amidst a flurry of dead grass. In no time at all we had the thumbs up and were walking towards the helicopter for our training flight. Rather than the Maritime and Coastguard Agency or an air ambulance aircraft this time it was a Royal Navy Merlin from 846 squadron RNAS Yeovilton. It was on a familiarisation flight in preparation for the Ten Tors event in May and they wanted some friendly…

Ramblings of a Mountain Rescue Team. Hill Party Leader Steve Jones and Fundraising Officer Al Pewsey talk to BBC Radio Devon’s Shep on the past 40 years for the team and what’s ahead for the next 40 years.

Congratulations to the 16 team members who passed their Mountain Rescue Casualty Care assessment at the weekend, especially to those taking it for the first time. The MR Cas Care assessment is an advanced qualification above the standard levels of first aid competence that all our members have to have. The team now has 34 qualified advanced ‘Cas Carers’ within the team, which is something we are very proud of. The success is testament to the time and effort put in not just by our volunteers to train, revise and take the exam, but also to our Medical Team lead…

Park and Ride to the Haytor Finish of Stage 6 of the Tour of Britain On September 9th,  Stage 6 of the Tour of Britain professional cycle race visits Devon when riders, from 21 teams (including, subject to last minute changes,  Dimension Data, Sky and Team Wiggins), leave Sidmouth on stage 6 of the race to cycle the 150 Km to a mountain finish at Haytor, in a repeat of the Haytor summit finish which was a highlight of the 2013 event. We are delighted to have been invited again to be part of the event and will be running a ‘Park…

The short piece of cine film was taken on the Ten Tors 1978 event when the team was deployed on standby at Quintins Man after previously being at Okehampton Camp. Thanks to Alec Collyer for giving us this glimpse into the team’s history.

With the trusty old Seaking being replaced, the team along with the remaining Dartmoor Rescue teams, undertook a familiarisation exercise this evening with the Merlin helicopter in preparation for Ten Tors. It’s a completely different beast to the Seaking and important we are trained in how to work with them safely. Thanks to the crews from RNAS Yeovilton for their valuable time.

A BOVEY TRACEY firm has delighted members of Dartmoor Search and Rescue Team Ashburton by becoming headline sponsors for the charity’s 2016 Templer Way Challenge. The deal could result in as much as £5,000 from Plastic Surgeon Fine Finishers with management pledging to match funds raised by staff who undertake the 18-mile sponsored walk on sunday April 24. That amount could make serious inroads into the £20,000 it takes to keep the lifesaving volunteers able to respond to the 35 or so shouts they receive each year. Last Christmas their expertise was even called for in Yorkshire when floods devastated…

Now that Dartmoor Search and Rescue Ashburton volunteers deployed to the York Flooding major incident are back home in the county, Matt Woodley interviews Ashburton Search Manager and Dartmoor Rescue Group Secretary Dave Close as he reflects on the floods and the pending Devon weather that is predicted.

BBC Radio York - Mountain Rescue’s contribution to the York floods Ashburton member and DRG Secretary Dave Close, along with Roger Hartley from Scarborough and Ryedale Mountain Rescue, talk to BBC Radio York about the involvement of Mountain Rescue in the York flooding major incident.

Last night a large multi-agency search and rescue exercise took place on the River Dart at Newbridge, Dartmoor. A problematic area for communications consisting of rapid river levels increases, steep ground and difficult access. Teams from Devon and Cornwall Police and Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service were joined by voluntary sector Mountain Rescue Teams including Tavistock, Plymouth, Exmoor and Ashburton. The objective of the exercise was to promote inter-team working and best practice, as well as to test major incident handling at Bronze and Silver levels. The scenario included 5 casualties who had decided to construct a homemade…

Search Manager Keith Lambeth talks to Fitz about the success of our Control Vehicle Appeal and the work of the team.

The Dartmoor Classic is one of the premiere cyclosportive events in the UK organised by the Mid Devon Cycle Club (MDCC), with participants attempting one of 3 routes of up to 160KM across Dartmoor typically on the 3rd Sunday in June. The event has become so popular that this year 4,000 cyclists registered. Our volunteers play a part in the running of the event by feeding riders as they pass through the Princetown feedstation and also providing expertise and resources for the event Silver Control. Al Pewsey our Fundraising Officer also acknowledged the amazing support we get from the organisers. “We are very…

Our Templer Way Challenge has received a £500 kickstart from minerals firm Sibelco. On Sunday April 19 up to 150 people are expected to tackle the 18-mile Templer Way from Haytor Rocks to the mouth of the River Teign. Starting at 9am participants should reach The Green, Shaldon, some five – seven hours later. Money donated by sponsors and well-wishers will help generate the £15,000 it costs each year to keep the 24-hour team of voluntary emergency responders on the road.  Alan Pewsey, fundraising officer for the team, said: ‘Our Templer Way Challenge is now in its fifth year and we are…

A major multi-agency search and rescue for four people from an inflatable boat, a drunk man staggering into marshes and a teenager falling off a bridge took place last night – but it was all part of a training exercise. A major multi-agency search and rescue for four people from an inflatable boat, a drunk man staggering into marshes and a teenager falling off a bridge took place last night – but it was all part of a training exercise. Organised by Dartmoor Search and Rescue – Ashburton, the exercise took place at Hackney Marshes, Newton Abbot, and involved multiple casualty…

This report by John Danks appeared on BBC Spotlight on April 24th 2014. It follows the team on a training exercise and delves into some of the technology used by the team on search and rescue such as SARMAN, SARLOC and Viewranger smart mapping.

Dartmoor Rescue climber summits Mount Everest We are very proud to announce that team member Ian Ridley has summited Mount Everest early on Friday the 1st June on his second attempt. Huge congratulations to Ian from the whole team. News article courtesy of the Herald Express, Torquay. Ian first attempted Everest a few years ago from the north of the mountain. Unfortunately, on that occasion, he was defeated by illness. This time however he managed to avoid illness, but instead had challenging weather conditions to deal with that threatened the whole expedition on various occasions. The weather did mean that…