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23rd November 2010 NEW TEAM LEADER FOR RESCUE TEAM
Teesdale & Weardale Search & Mountain Rescue Team (TWSMRT) based in County Durham have just appointed Christopher Roberts as its new Team Leader. Chris takes over after a very busy year for the Team with 57 callouts. Theses have been as varied as searching for missing walkers in the High Pennines, searching for missing persons throughout County Durham, assisting both North East Ambulance Service and Durham Police in last winters severe weather and assisting mountain rescue teams outside the county during the floods in Keswick and Cockermouth and the Cumbria shootings.
Chris who lives in Cotherstone near Barnard Castle has been in the Team for 12 years carrying out various role including Deputy Team Leader for the past 7 years. He takes over from Dave Bartles-Smith who has been leader for the past 7 years. Dave has been instrumental in developing of the Teams crag and swiftwater capabilities as well as building strong relationships with other organisations both within and outside of the recognised emergency services.
Dave Bartles-Smith said "It has been a very rewarding 7 years and as ever, I am continually astounded by the commitment and motivation of Team members not just in developing their skills and responding to call outs but in meeting the additional and very demanding requirements of fundraising and contributing to the management and development of the organisation. After some 280 call outs as Team leader it is very difficult to highlight key moments, as the experiences are very diverse, often challenging and sometimes tragic and could not be adequately expressed in just a few words. However, to those we have helped, to those families to whom we have returned loved ones – it has been a privilege".
Chris Roberts said "David will be a hard act to follow; an exceptional Team Leader who has worked tirelessly for the Team over the past seven years.
I have the support of an excellent leadership team and it is my intention to carry forward the excellent work of the TWSMRT. Each past Team Leader has left his own legacy – It is my intention to maintain and develop the quality of the Team while making it a more accessible organisation for the volunteer".
Dave is remaining in the Team and is looking forward to being able to "get out on the hill" after a number of years coordinating searches. He was presented with a antique ice axe in recognition of his time as Team Leader.
Note For Editors - Attached pictures Chris Roberts (right) presenting Dave Bartles-Smith (left) with ice axe
Notes For Editor Teesdale
& Weardale Search & Mountain Rescue Team are affiliated to the "Mountain
Rescue - England and Wales". We provide a Search and Rescue service throughout
County Durham and beyond primarily for the Police but also for the other emergency
services. All Team members are volunteers and we rely on monies raised by ourselves
as a registered charity to run the Team. Further details regarding our latest
callouts and Team information can be found on our website www.twsmrt.org.uk
