THE diamonds who keep the communities of Saddleworth and Oldham safe on our hills are celebrating their diamond anniversary this year.
2024 marks 60 years since Oldham Mountain Rescue Team (OMRT) first formed.
A series of events are being planned to celebrate the occasion but, perhaps more importantly to the team, they will be raising awareness of their valued work and thanking the community for their continued support which is unwavering.
“Our diamond anniversary is a significant landmark and the community’s support remains fundamental to our continued success and operation,” said Rob Tortoishell, OMRT’s leader.
“We look forward to celebrating with you in the year ahead.”
Established in 1964, OMRT is entirely made up of more than 50 dedicated volunteers, whose aim is to “save life and alleviate distress, primarily in upland and mountain areas”.
They are funded almost entirely by the generosity of public donations and provide a professional rescue service 24 hours a day, seven days a week and 365 days a year, working alongside partners including the police, fire and ambulance services.
To find out more about OMRT or to donate, visit https://omrt.org
Mixed feelings about the Mountain Rescue Team although it’s reassuring that they’d probably be there if I ever actually need them.
First of all there aren’t really any real mountains as such in Oldham, although some of the terrain can be quite challenging.
That said apart from the occasional serious emergency, (such as that poor bloke who got blown of the top ridge in Greenfield,) they mostly seem to spend their time doing heavy lifting for the Ambulance Service and pulling visitors out of the stream in Chew Valley.
As things currently stand I think they more or less get it right most of the time; but I’m a bit dubious about the manner in which they seem to be constantly trying to expand there remit and become more pro active .
They are not and should not become a Ranger service, much as I sometimes suspect they’d like to ?