LONG-SERVING volunteers were honoured as members past and present gathered to mark Oldham Mountain Rescue Team’s diamond anniversary.
For six decades, the Saddleworth-based team has been keeping communities safe on our hills – at all times of the day and night, all year round.
The milestone was celebrated with some of the founding team members and distinguished guests such as local hero Frank Rothwell and Vice Lord-Lieutenant for Greater Manchester, Sharman Birtles MBE JP DL.
The evening presented an opportunity for the team to get together and with members of their families, as some of the crew were recognised for their incredible commitment to the community over the years with Long Service Awards and the King’s Coronation Medal for Service.
Katie Johnson received her award for 25 years, Dr Andy Taylor collected his accolade for 50 years and the team’s President, Peter Hyde, was honoured for a remarkable 60 years of service.
Oldham Mountain Rescue Team (OMRT) thanked everyone for their support since it was established in 1964.
“After 60 years, there are far too many people to thank in full,” a spokesperson said, “but thank you to Holme Valley Mountain Rescue Team for being on call (and allowing us a rare night off).
“Thanks to all of you (our supporters) for your continued vital support but, most of all, thank you to our team members’ families, the people that have to pick up the pieces when we disappear at odd times of the day!”
OMRT is funded almost entirely by the generosity of public donations and provides a professional rescue service, working alongside partners including the police, fire and ambulance services.
People can find out more about the team or make a donation at https://omrt.org
Although I value to work and and commitment of all the volunteers who man and operate OMRT, I’m increasingly baffled by their, “minor celebrity,” status ?
It not as if there are any actual mountains in Oldham or non speak of or as if most of the people there, (all the usual suspects,) have ever done much more than get out of their car on a summer day and walk round Dovestones.
I certainly don’t want to sound as if I’m belittling the group’s achievements as they have undoubtedly performed many acts of bravery and more than likely saved lives, and I hope they keep up their good work for years to come, but I do wonder about the title ‘mountain’ rescue. There’s not a mountain within cooee of Oldham. Don’t know what an alternative name could be, ‘big hill’ rescue doesn’t have the same ring to it, does it!! Despite the name, please keep up the good work.
Such acts of so called, “bravery,” are both extremely rare and also inappropriate, (that’s not what they’re about,) more often than not their main function is to do a bit of heavy lifting for the ambulance service and to collect someone who’s got lost on the moors or who’s gone out in inappropriate footwear from Chew Valley stream.
It’s not romantic and it’s not brave at all it all rather dull most of the time, but non the less valuable for all that and if they didn’t do no one else would.
A less heroic, more risk averse and level headed bunch as you could ever need to depend on in fact; but with solid training, good communications and the right equipment.
Mostly it’s not that big a deal until comes that day when you desperately need them.
I have a few reservation about the, “social club,” and a they do invite a few other cheap shots which I refuse to stoop to but on whole I think they’re a good thing, but, “The Heroes of the Hills ?”
I don’t think so.
And also not to forget, First Responder which can occasionally be very harrowing indeed.
Craig Weson is a stupid sole clueless
Why so cross ?
If Saddleworth Moors which I’ve been walking and climbing for over 50 years were say the Cairngorms or the Scottish Highlands you might have a point, but of course they aren’t; nothing like.
Also technology and H&S theory have taken much of risk out the exercise anyway.
It would be unfair to describe the OMRT as, “just,” a social club for people engaged in outdoor persuits but there’s certainly an element of truth to that and also they’re trading heavily on past work back when thing really were a sometimes lot more dangerous than they are now.
Back when I was first walking those hills most of the people that OMRT now make such a song and dance about having, “rescued,” would simply have got back on their own.
Whether this is a good thing or not I decline to judge; but nonetheless it’s a fact.
He certainly has a lot to say regarding just about every story published. So much so, I’ve come to the conclusion he is most likely just a Bot.