In case of emergency, dial 112 or 999 and ask for the Police
Callouts 2013
On Saturday the rescue team held a 6-hour search and rescue exercise based at Postbridge in central Dartmoor. Also taking part were representatives from our sister teams Dartmoor Search and Rescue Tavistock, Dartmoor Search and Rescue Plymouth and North Dartmoor Search and Rescue Team. We also had two Mountain Rescue search dogs. Two Police Search Advisors and an Army representative from 10 Tors also attended to better understand what we do. It was typical Dartmoor weather – fog, rain and wind on the higher tops all of which made for challenging conditions on the ground. Over 40 people were involved…
Ladies and Gentlemen, please meet your newest Full Team Members Liam, John and Luke. All three have successfully completed their 15-months long period as Trainee Members, including the infamous "all-nighter" final exercise and were presented with their Team Jackets at training last week by Team Leader, Craig. Well done lads, great effort.
Read 1052 times
Published in
News
Rob Illman is one of the Ashburton team’s longest-serving members and has helped hundreds of injured, missing or sick people in the last 41 years. He has participated in more than 1200 call-outs either receiving the call as Search Manager or as a team member. Rob joined the team in 1982 - he had a couple of friends in the team & he was walking regularly on Dartmoor doing letterboxing, so he went along one day & joined up. In his time on the team, he was Team Leader (Search Manager) for 17 years. He took a step back 11…
Read 1575 times
Published in
News
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.
Read 5861 times
Published in
News
Last night after a joint search exercise with DSRT Tavistock, the first of our 4 trainees who started in 2021 was welcomed as a full team member and received his red MREW jacket. Tim had been working through his training logbook for 18 months, and completed a challenging 'all night' assessment last month. We hope that the other 3 trainees will soon follow suit, and the team can focus on the development of the 4 trainees from 2022 intake.
Read 4106 times
Published in
News
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…
Read 4449 times
Published in
News
Click on the image for full PDF report
Read 3890 times
Published in
News
Read 6187 times
Published in
News
STATEMENT FROM THE DARTMOOR RESCUE GROUP This weekend we were concerned to read posts on social media about an injured person on the moor who, on calling 999 was told that Dartmoor Rescue was not available. These posts were the first we had heard of the event. An investigation is now underway as to why a callout was not requested and why the injured person was told the teams were unavailable. This was indeed a busy weekend for the Dartmoor Rescue Group but we would still strive to help all those that require it. There are 7 mountain rescue teams…
Read 7483 times
Published in
News
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…
Read 8929 times
Published in
News
A Presentation for 37 years service to Dartmoor Search & Rescue Ashburton to Rob Dixon Seen here in a photograph taken back in August 2020, our members rep Jim Webster presents a platinum award certificate to Rob Dixon, along with his favourite 10year old whiskey. Below are just a snippet of Rob’s many memories accompanied by a few of his achievements compiled by Jim. Rob joined the team in 1982 whilst farming on the Moors, and became training officer in 1983 - 1986 insisting that he was volunteered for the position when a relative rookie in the team. He became…
Read 9928 times
Published in
News
Tuesday, 05 November 2019 12:56
Bovey Tracey Carnival support to Dartmoor charity
DSRT Administrator
Wonderful support from Bovey Tracey Carnival Bovey Tracey Carnival has supported Dartmoor Search and Rescue Ashburton as their annual charity this year. And last night team member Al collected a cheque donation for an amazing £1,000 at the carnival committee's AGM at the Dolphin Hotel in Bovey. We are incredibly grateful as our charity relies on donations for over 90% of our income. The team is made up of 100% volunteers, meaning all the money will go directly to helping us help those in need and not on salaries. Team member Al accepts the cheque from the Bovey Carnival Chairman…
Read 11396 times
Published in
News
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…
Rescuers distribute adventure advice Dartmoor Search and Rescue Ashburton in conjunction with Mountain Rescue England and Wales (MREW) is celebrating the distribution of the latest edition of its safety advice leaflet for walkers, climbers and cyclists. Since the first edition in 2017, more than 50,000 of these simple leaflets have been handed out across England and Wales and the latest edition focuses on making a good day better by planning adventures before you set out. Planning ahead not only keeps people safe but should also help to reduce the number of callouts for volunteer rescue teams. “The idea for a…
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.…
Saturday, 09 February 2019 09:27
Winners! SW search and rescue teams celebrate award success.
Written by DSRT Admin
Winners! SW search and rescue teams celebrate award success. The best of the South West celebrated this week at the South West Tourism Excellence Awards held under the last Concorde to ever fly at Aerospace Bristol. And we were delighted to be recognised with a special Outstanding Contribution award given to the South West Mountain, Cliff and Cave Rescue Teams for the huge voluntary contribution to looking after visitors as well as their pets. Our team leader Keith said "We are delighted that all the search and rescue teams in the region have been recognised with this award. Our volunteers…
Tuesday, 20 November 2018 18:35
Stories of hairy hands, pillow mounds and parliaments
Written by DSRT Admin
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…
Thursday, 18 October 2018 11:34
Volunteer Doctors enhance medical care for casualties
Written by DSRT Admin
Volunteer Doctors enhance medical care for casualties Last night's training exercise was a joint agency exercise where we worked with BASICS Devon volunteer professional Doctors who specialise in expert medical care where lives hang in the balance. A scenario involving a fallen climber stranded on a difficult to access ledge was set on Haytor Rock, and 2 separate water-related incidents around the pond at Haytor Quarry involving a deteriorating hypothermic casualty and another who needed an emergency leg amputation due to a foot entrapment in the water and a deteriorating cardiac condition. Team members and BASICS Doctors worked alongside each…
Sunday, 16 September 2018 22:02
Volunteers and emergency services at Devon major incident
Written by DSRT Admin
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…
Wednesday, 12 September 2018 11:50
Major investment to bring vital radio network into 21st century
Written by DSRT Admin
Major investment to bring vital radio network into 21st century WESTCOUNTRY lifesaving volunteers are hoping a new prize draw will give them a flying start towards funding a major upgrade to bring its radio communications into the 21st century For decades the radios used by members of the Dartmoor Search and Rescue Team in Ashburton have hardly changed. The Ashburton team has had to retire 15 of its VHF radios but still needed to communicate effectively when responding to the 35 callouts for the lost, missing and injured it receives each year. it took the opportunity to look at how…
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…
Friday, 08 June 2018 12:18
Dramatic Dartmoor rescue featured on Nick Knowles Close Calls on Camera
Written by DSRT Admin
Dramatic Dartmoor rescue featured on Nick Knowles Close Calls on Camera Ann was walking with her friends in the Dart Valley below Dartmeet when she slipped 30 feet on to rocks. The dramatic story of Ann's accident was featured on the current series of BBC1's 'Close Calls on Camera'. The series uses footage from dramatic events caught on camera, interviews those involved and tells the casualty's story from before, during and after the incident. Ann spent 3 days in Intensive Care after being airlifted to hospital, followed by a lengthy recovery process to get her back on her feet. We…
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…
Monday, 16 April 2018 12:43
Walkers aged from 13 to an amazing 80 complete this year's Templer Way.
Written by DSRT Admin
Walkers aged from 13 to an amazing 80 complete this year's Templer Way. Local rescuers Dartmoor Search and Rescue Ashburton are gaining a reputation for putting together well run and enjoyable events. Its 8th Templer Way Challenge fundraising event proved as popular as ever on Sunday despite the weather doing its best to dampen the spirits. Sold out yet again, 180 participants braved the wet and foggy weather at Haytor early on Sunday morning to take part in the 18 mile sponsored walk to Shaldon walking the historic and beautiful Templer Way Trail. Raising money for the rescue charity that…
Wednesday, 28 February 2018 11:24
Prepared for a severe weather event on Haldon Hill
Written by DSRT Admin
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…
River Dart casualty recovery training Every week, Dartmoor Search and Rescue Ashburton volunteers train to make sure they are fully prepared for any incident that they are called to by the full-time emergency services. The team doesn't just rescue walkers, climbers and the vulnerable on land, they also have a water rescue capability to respond to swift water incidents involving water sport enthusiasts, flooding events and searches for vulnerable missing persons that may involve watercourses. Of course, the team are on-call 24/7 so need to undertake training at night as well as during the day to reflect the incidents they…
Tuesday, 02 January 2018 13:03
New Year Honours recognition for Dartmoor Rescue
Written by DSRT Admin
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…
Team member interview - Dr Tas Ali In this series of team member interviews, we find out more about what makes our volunteers tick. In this interview we talk to Dr. Tas Ali, currently the Chair of our team. 1) What is your role within the team and what does it involve? I am the Chairman of the committee that manages the business of the team. It is a huge privilege to be considered to be fit to do this for such a talented group of people. I have responsibility for the management, rather than the operational side of our…
Friday, 03 November 2017 13:07
LIBOR bank fines fund rescue training for volunteers
Written by DSRT Admin
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…
Friday, 08 September 2017 16:55
Vital work of Devon volunteer rescuers showcased in new film
Written by DSRT Admin
Vital work of Devon rescuers showcased in new film The Dartmoor Search and Rescue Team Ashburton has launched a film highlighting the vital community service it provides across the county and beyond. The volunteers are well known for their work on Dartmoor but less so for the wider support they offer in both rural and urban areas across Devon and further afield. With public donations accounting for more than 92 per cent of its funding the group approached Ashburton film-makers Blinkback to help spread the message. Team Leader Keith Lambeth said: 'Although responding to Dartmoor callouts is still our staple…
Read 14006 times
Published in
News
This coming weekend is the 2017 version of the Dartmoor Classic Cycle Sportive, probably one of the premier cycle sportives in the UK. Dartmoor Search and Rescue Ashburton has been a charity partner of the Classic for over 6 years and this year we will once again be raffling fabulous prizes in the event draw. Since 2012 over £12,000 has been donated to the team thanks to the generosity of the organisers and participants of the Dartmoor Classic. This amazing support has undoubtedly enabled us to save lives of those in need on Dartmoor and across South and East Devon. Read more…
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…
Thursday, 11 May 2017 10:13
Award recognising 40 years of support for Ten Tors
Written by DSRT Admin
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…
Read 13487 times
Published in
News
Recently Dartmoor Search and Rescue Team (Ashburton) visited River Teign Sea Scouts(1st Shaldon) at their headquarters near the Ness in Shaldon. During the visit the Scouts were invited to join in with a number of activities. The activities included map and compass work, bandaging and splinting, moving casualties on a stretcher, searching in the dark and using radios. Craig Scollick from DSRT (Ashburton) said ‘ It was great to visit Shaldon Scouts and see their enthusiasm for things we do, I dare say we’ll get a few volunteers from the Scout Group in the future’. Andy Dorey Group Scout Leader…
Read 13208 times
Published in
News
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…
Tuesday, 02 May 2017 10:15
Colin the Rescue Otter supports Templer Way Challenge.
Written by DSRT Admin
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…
Read 13188 times
Published in
News
In this series of team member interviews, we find out more about what makes our volunteers tick. For our fourth interview we talk to Andrew Luscombe, affectionately known as Lugs, the custodian of our team equipment and vehicles. 1) What is your role within the team and what does it involve? I am currently the team’s Vehicle Officer and Equipment Officer. My role is to ensure that all our vehicles are roadworthy and the kit within them is operational and up to date with a full checklist being completed weekly, this includes dealing with insurances, MOT’s plus any repair work,…
In this series of team member interviews, we find out more about what makes our volunteers tick. For our second interview, we talk to Craig Scollick, a team member for over 10 years. What is your role within the team and what does it involve? I’m a Hill Party Leader – that means I’m one of a number of our volunteers who has gone through the Hill Party Leader training and is in charge of a team of volunteers during a callout. After we’ve arrived at a callout our search managers will be briefed by the Police and friends or…
Read 13475 times
Published in
News
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…
In this series of team member interviews, we find out more about what makes our volunteers tick. For our first interview we talk to Dave Close, otherwise known as El Presidenti. What is your role within the team and what does it involve? I’m presently the Team Secretary, tasked with ensuring a smooth flow of information both to the members within and responding to enquiries from outside. This can take many forms; including the taking of minutes at Committee/Team meetings, circulation of information across the membership, liaising with organisations and members of the public approaching the team etc. When did…
Read 12909 times
Published in
News
Tuesday, 06 December 2016 13:25
Talking to BBC Radio Devon about the team’s 40 years saving lives
Written by DSRT Admin
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.
Saturday, 26 November 2016 23:23
Devon rescuers celebrate their 40th year saving lives
Written by DSRT Admin
Dartmoor Search and Rescue Team (Ashburton) – 40th Anniversary celebration This November saw the 40th Anniversary of the creation of Dartmoor Search and Rescue Team (Ashburton). To celebrate, black ties were tied and posh frocks were worn to a formal dinner where current and, past members and their partners mingled with honoured guests from Devon and Cornwall Police, Devon Fire and Rescue Service and Dartmoor National Park. The event was held in the magnificent surroundings of the Grand Hall of the Dartington Hall Trust. The Grand Hall was first build in the 1400s and this historical location with its vaulted…
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…
Thursday, 25 August 2016 12:07
Park and Ride and rub shoulders with the professionals!
Written by DSRT Admin
Park and Ride and rub shoulders with Team Sky and Team Dimension Data! On September 9th, 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 ‘Parke and Ride’ facility from Mill…
Thursday, 18 August 2016 11:53
Enjoy the iconic Haytor Tour of Britain Mountain Finish
Written by DSRT Admin
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…
For over 40 years, Dartmoor Search and Rescue Ashburton has been supporting the annual Ten Tors Expedition. Over 2,400 young people taking on the challenge of Ten Tors over 35, 45 or 55 miles, as well as the Jubilee Event that gives those with additional challenges the chance to get involved. We camp at Sittaford Moor Gate for the weekend and this short video gives a behind the scenes look of what we get up too.
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.
Charity walk raises £11,000 for Ashburton rescuers An 18-mile sponsored walk has seen over £11,000 raised for Dartmoor Search and Rescue, as 150 people walked from the Haytor Information Centre in Dartmoor National Park to Shaldon on the Devon coast. The walk was aimed at raising funds for the Dartmoor Search and Rescue team based at Ashburton, a voluntary organisation and registered charity, which relies on fundraising to keep its team fully equipped and prepared to deal with the many emergencies it attends each year. Craig Scollick of Dartmoor Search and Rescue Ashburton said: “This event is very important to…
Thursday, 07 April 2016 09:33
Dartmoor from the tailgate of a Merlin helicopter
Written by DSRT Admin
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.
Team Roles. Episode 1, the Search Manager We are often asked by members of the public about the different roles there are in the team, and what tasks are undertaken by these roles. Well, in the first of this series on team roles, we introduce you to the secret World of a Search Manager. So what goes on behind the closed doors of our search control vehicle? We take you into their new office, our freshly fitted our new Control Vehicle complete with all mod cons, while the duty Search manager had zipped out for a quick break during a…
Friday, 26 February 2016 09:00
Headline sponsors announced for annual Templer Way Challenge
Written by DSRT Admin
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…
Heart FM interview Ashburton Search Manager and Dartmoor Rescue Group Secretary Dave Close about the wonderful welcome volunteers received from the people of York during the devastating major floods during Christmas and New Year
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.
Tuesday, 29 December 2015 20:49
BBC Radio Devon - SW Mountain Rescue response to the York floods
Written by DSRT Admin
BBC Radio Devon - SW Mountain Rescue response to the York floods Our Search Manager Dave Underhill talks to BBC Radio Devon’s David Sheppard about the SW Mountain Rescue teams involvement in the Yorkshire Floods major incident. Dartmoor Search and Rescue Ashburton, Tavistock, North Dartmoor and Plymouth as well as Exmoor Search and Rescue have around 50 of their volunteers deployed in the York area.
Tuesday, 29 December 2015 20:44
BBC Radio York - Mountain Rescue’s contribution to the York floods
Written by DSRT Admin
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.
Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service donate 6 Landrovers that are now surplus to their requirements to Dartmoor and Exmoor Search and Rescue Teams. On a typical Dartmoor drizzly day in November, all the team’s got together to officially accept the Landies before undertaking a group training exercise.
Thursday, 10 September 2015 16:07
Major exercise tests emergency services and volunteers
Written by DSRT Admin
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…
Update! Martyn and his colleagues raised almost £400 for Prostate Cancer UK during their Lads Night In. Martyn, 61, Ashburton, Devon. A few years ago team member Martyn was diagnosed with prostate cancer. Martyn picks up the story …. “I had made an appointment with my GP for a general health check, and a good friend told me to ensure I talked about a check for prostate cancer, something I was completely unaware of at that point. The doctor gave me a PSA blood test and all was well and I was monitored over the following months. One month the…
Search Manager Keith Lambeth talks to Fitz about the success of our Control Vehicle Appeal and the work of the team.
Control Vehicle Replacement Appeal The race is on to find a replacement control vehicle. Our specialist volunteers, who provide round the clock emergency cover 365 days a year, just managed to get our ageing van through its last MoT. But now, due to a major rust problem, there’s no option other than to find a new one and get it kitted out with specialist radio and computer equipment in time for the autumn. Without the vehicle, the ability to respond to the 35 or so shouts we get each year will be severely hampered. Our team’s Vehicle Officer Andy Luscombe said we either needed help raising…
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…
Sunday 19th April and 101 people congregated in bright sunshine at the Haytor Information Centre with the objective to walk the 18 miles to Shaldon on the Devon coast in aid of the Dartmoor Search and Rescue Team at Ashburton. This year was the 5th year running the event has been put on in aid of the charity rescue team. Walkers were launched on their way by team member and event organiser Craig Scollick. Craig said “This event is very important to the team remaining operational as it is our largest fundraiser of the year. We couldn’t continue to provide our…
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…
Sunday April 19th 2015 sees Dartmoor Search and Rescue Team Ashburton running its popular Templer Way sponsored walk fundraiser. The event now in its 5th year is becoming increasingly popular as participants walk the 18 miles from Haytor Quarry to Shaldon along the historic Templer Way to raise funds for the search and rescue volunteers. The team is called out 30-40 times a year to search for the lost, missing, injured and vulnerable not just on Dartmoor but across Devon in all weathers anytime of day or night. The team of volunteers need around £15,000 of donations from the public…
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…
Tuesday, 01 July 2014 13:14
SARLOC© – A method for locating lost climbers and walkers
Written by DSRT Admin
We use a variety of equipment and tools to help in the process of search and rescue, and as you’d expect, technology is playing a bigger part. One such tool is SARLOC© that helps to find lost walkers and climbers by sending a simple text message to a mobile phone. SARLOC© – A method for locating lost climbers and walkers SARLOC© is a system developed by Russ Hore who was a member of Ogwen Valley Mountain Rescue Organisation for over 20 years, served 2 years as the teams chairman and is the IT Coordinator for the North Wales Mountain Rescue…
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.
Sunday, 15 July 2012 13:33
Queen's Jubillee Medal Presentation to Devon rescuers
Written by DSRT Admin
Queen's Jubillee Medal Presentation to Devon rescuers In recognition of The Queen's Diamond Jubilee, Jubilee Medals were presented to members who had been in the team for 5 years or greater recognising their contribution to their local community. Needless to say the team as a whole is very proud of the work we do and proud that this medal has been presented in recognition of individuals who have volunteered for an extended period of time. Medal's were presented on July 15th at the team rescue centre near Ashburton The following article appeared in a December 2012 edition of the Teignmouth…
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…
Wednesday, 16 May 2012 13:38
Working hard behind the scenes on Dartmoor at Ten Tors 2012
Written by DSRT Admin
Working hard behind the scenes on Dartmoor at Ten Tors 2012 Newly qualified member Alan writes about the 2012 edition of the annual Ten Tors Expedition held on Dartmoor National Park and the team's involvement. His article is reproduced below in his own words. The second weekend in May every year is 'The Ten Tors Weekend' when 2400 14 - 19-year-olds tackle Ten Tors on routes of either 35, 45 or 55 miles over 2 days. Not forgetting the Jubilee event where another 300 or so youngsters with varying degrees of disability tackle their own Ten Tors. Although I have…
New home for Dartmoor Rescue Ashburton Rescue Centre Grand Opening On Saturday September 24th, Dartmoor Search & Rescue Team Ashburton, held the grand opening of its new Rescue Centre. Its first permanent base in its 35 year history. Up until now the team has relied on the goodwill of volunteers to store its equipment and vehicles. Now, thanks to the Abbot of Buckfast, we have a facility to securely store the rescue equipment, space to dry wet kit as well as meeting rooms to run training lectures. Buckfast Abbot blessing the new Rescue Centre The day was well attended not…