Team History
The team today . . .
And how we came to be . . .
The team can trace its local origins back to November 1965, when Mr. Robert Akrigg, a 55 year old reservoir keeper went missing in blizzard conditions on Gorple Moor near Hebden Bridge. Waterboard employees, police, local farmers and keepers were joined from Mountain and Fell Rescue teams from over the north of England in the search. Tragically he was not found until over three months later when the heavy snows of that winter receded.
In early 1966 an initial meeting was held in Hebden Bridge with Mr. Wally Keay, a former leader of Wharfedale Fell Rescue Team. Over 30 people attended. Mr. Keay said how there was nothing heroic or romantic about being in a rescue team - just 5% inspiration and 95% hard slogging. The first priority of the new team was training in navigation and first aid. Help was sought from the St. John Ambulance Brigade in Hebden Bridge.
In 1978 the team was well established and moved into larger premises which including garaging for the team ambulance. The council offered a long term lease on the Old Coach House behind the Tourist Information Centre in Hebden Bridge. In 1994 another move was made into purpose built accommodation on land made available by Mytholmroyd Community Centre.
In 2006 the team celebrated its 40th anniversary and also received the Queens Award for Voluntary Service. Chief Constable Colin Cramphorn QPM presented the Award to team President Bob Utley at the anniversary celebrations.
The team has come a long way in over 40 years of serving the community. Training in the many different skills and maintenance of equipment and facilities are demanding tasks. However the rewards are many, and the team will indeed continue to save lives in wild and remote places.
Press cuttings and photographs of the team can be found on in our archives.