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, much of which is carried out in house. My extended role as EO includes checking all of our operational kit, ropes, water PPE, radios, medical gases, team bags, cas bags, vacuum mattresses and stretchers to name a few.

2) When did you join DSRTA and why?

I joined DSRTA in November 2011 as a trainee, and received my jacket in January 2013. It had been a long held desire to join the team and took some time(years) to buck up the courage to apply, I’m very glad I did…

3) Tell us about your day job?

I used to fettle wooden dowels for NASA, however due to the demise of the shuttle programme work dried up so I now work as a building contractor…

4) Do you have any other hobbies or interests?

I’ve always had an interest in birds, encouraged by my grandfather who in the 50’s and 60’s maintained bird counts for the RSPB and worked closely with H G Hurrell for many years. I occasionally knock out the odd painting,   trying to complete my collection of The Countryman magazine I’m missing 1927-1930, and have a constantly growing collection of minerals and fossils. Currently looking for an old brit motorcycle to restore, the more knackered the better!

5) Choose 5 words which best describe your experiences with DSRTA

Satisfying, challenging, diverting, poignant, warm.

6) Where is your favourite part of Dartmoor and why?

Mount Misery, pitch black, fog, heavy sideways rain and barely above freezing….

Other than that both the Avon and the Dart. The Avon because I’ve known this river and all her moods since I was a small child. The Dart, from the source of both the East and West Dart to Dartmeet and beyond to New Bridge, sometimes on these stretches you could quite easily be on another planet.

7) Jam or Cream first?

Jam on the left and cream on the right

8) The Rolling Stones or The Beetles?

Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd, ACDC, Wagner, Puccini, currently Electro Swing…anything really as long as its not jazz, jazz is just plain wrong..