Holme Valley Mountain Rescue Team History

Holme Valley Team - A brief Team History

The Holme Valley Team

Now in the 42nd year of the Holme Valley Mountain Rescue Team here is a little about where we have come from. From humble beginnings Mountain Rescue, the Team and the world around has changed so much. This section charts just a few of the changes...

(click on any of the photos on this page to see an enlarged section as well as visiting our photo galleries)

The Holme Valley Moorland Rescue Team was originally formed in 1965 in response to a tragic accident in which two Scouts lost their lives whilst on a challenge hike. The initial aims of the Team were to provide search and rescue cover for the increasing numbers of people seeking recreation on the Pennine moors. Based in Marsden, near Huddersfield, the team area of operation covers the southern half of West Yorkshire, and the terrain ranges from the rugged open moorland of the South Pennines and the north of the Peak District, to built-up urban areas. Search call-outs are equally diverse and can vary from locating lost walkers to assisting the Police with missing persons, young or old.

In 1989 the Holme Valley Team became a Registered Charity (No. 1015532), which helps the Team with vital fundraising, and in 1993 the Team became a Limited Company by Guarantee (No. 2764292) to protect against financial ruin.

Techniques in searching and first aid, together with the changes in equipment and technology have also played a part in reshaping how the Holme Valley Team operates. However the attitude of it's members has seen the biggest change. Now all Team Members are committed to an ongoing programme of training and all require a professional outlook on the work they do, even though all are volunteers.

Ensuring the Holme Valley Mountain Rescue Team is able to respond to emergencies is a responsibility some take on, over and above the front line work. Regular checking all of the equipment, fundraising, promoting our image in the community, planning training, and administration are all important aspects of work that sometimes even Members of the Holme Valley Team are unaware of!

The Holme Valley Mountain Rescue Team, like any other, is on 24 hour a day standby all year round. Follow the link to see some of our more recent press cuttings. These highlight the more common work the Team is called to do.

Most people think that Teams like Holme Valley are only there for the walkers and climbers of us all. This is not so. Most of the work that the Holme Valley Team is called upon to undertake involves missing people - young or old and in either open country or in built up areas.

During the period 2000/2001 Holme Valley Moorland Rescue Team provided over 1000 man hours to West Yorkshire Police. In 2002 the Team surpassed this at an estimated £25,000 saving to the West Yorkshire Police.

Unlike other European countries, Mountain Rescue Services within the UK are free of charge and available to all. The emergency call out response is through the 999 system via the Police.

So even if you are not a keen walker or climber in the Holme Valley, Kirklees or the surrounding areas, perhaps you should keep reading, as one day you may just need us. Many of the callouts we have are connected with searching for missing persons in the more built-up areas nearby, assisting the Police in times of flood or snow or supporting local events.

All photographs presented here are copyright of the Holme Valley Mountain Rescue Team