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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

Steve Owers


Press Officer
07876 132030

23/11/10

1400hrs




23rd November 2010

Scott Bissett
Press Officer

Teesdale & Weardale Search & Mountain Rescue Team

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


Previous Releases:


24/05/21Three missing Ladies
15/04/21Search for missing teacher
30/11/20Missing woman found!
18/08/20Cauldron snout incident
05/06/20Search Dogs to the Rescue
26/07/19Team Rescue dog from high fell
26/12/18Boxing day callout.
04/05/18Early morning Dog rescue
28/02/18Busy snow day for Mountain Rescue Team
15/12/17Team unveil new vehicle
05/12/17Missing teenager found!
03/12/17Team donates vehicle!
28/11/17Two Casualties Found at Same Time in Same Village
27/09/17NOW RECRUITING !
26/09/17Extensive multi agency search in Durham
31/07/17Barnard Castle street collection
20/07/17Extensive Search in Peter Lee Area
17/04/17Mountain rescue teams save army cadets from night on the moors.
10/04/17Reported Missing
10/12/16Base Open Day
15/10/16New Mountain Rescue Center Opens
27/09/16Missing Grouse Beater Sparks Major Search
18/09/16Mountain Rescue Exercise Turns Into Real Thing
28/12/15BUSY CHRISTMAS PERIOD FOR LOCAL MOUNTAIN RESCUE TEAM
13/12/15RESCUE TEAM ASSIST NORTH EAST AMBULANCE SERVICE
22/07/15MOUNTAIN RESCUE CASUALTY SAYS THANK YOU
18/07/15SEARCH CONTINUES FOR MISSING FERRYHILL MAN
21/06/15MOUNTAIN RESCUE TEAM ASSIST WITH INJURED MOUNTAIN BIKER
17/01/15THIRD DAY OF SEARCH FOR RESCUE TEAM
22/08/14RESCUE TEAM ASSIST AMBULANCE SERVICE
10/08/14RESCUE DOG NEVER OFF DUTY
06/08/14NEW VEHICLE FOR RESCUE TEAM
31/07/14RESCUE TEAM TREAT INJURED WALKER
17/07/14FAREWELL TO FOUNDER MEMBER OF RESCUE TEAM
02/07/14RESCUE IN WEARDALE INVOLVING ALL EMERGENCY SERVICES
26/06/14STUDENTS SUPPORT RESCUE TEAM IN MEMORY OF LUKE PEARCE
12/05/14RESCUE TEAM SEARCH FOR MISSING STUDENT
30/04/14RESCUE TEAM FIND CASUALTY IN RECORD TIME
10/03/14RESCUE TEAM INVOLVED IN MISSING DEPUTY HEAD SEARCH
09/02/14MISSING MAN FOUND BY RESCUE TEAM
02/01/14BUSY 2013 FOR RESCUE TEAM
08/12/13RESCUE TEAMS FIND BODY OF MISSING STOCKTON MAN
30/11/13 RESCUE TEAM CONTINUE SEARCH FOR MISSING STUDENT
01/11/13MOUNTAIN RESCUE TEAM SEARCH FOR MISSING STUDENT
18/09/13MOUNTAIN RESCUE GREAT NORTH STRETCHER CARRY
14/09/13MOUNTAIN RESCUE INVOLVED IN DRAMATIC RIVER RESCUE
07/07/13SEARCH FOR MISSING PETERLEE MAN
24/03/13BAD WEATHER KEEPS RESCUE TEAM BUSY
24/02/13RESCUE TEAMS IN 16 HOUR SEARCH
27/01/13SEARCH FOR MISSING KITE SKIER IN PENNINES
02/01/13BUSY 2013 FOR RESCUE TEAM
27/12/12MOUNTAIN RESCUE TEAM SEEKING RECRUITS
11/12/12RESCUE TEAMS HELP WITH DOG RESCUE
27/11/12ALL CHANGE IN LOCAL MOUNTAIN RESCUE TEAM
11/11/12MAJOR SEARCH AND RESCUE IN PENNINES
27/10/12RESCUE TEAM FIND MISSING MAN
28/06/12RESCUE TEAM INVOLVED IN COUNTY DURHAM FLOODS
21/06/12RESCUE TEAM RECEIVE QUEENS JUBILEE MEDALS
22/05/12SCOUT GROUP HELP OUT RESCUE TEAM
29/04/12RESCUE TEAM INVOLVED IN SEARCH FOR MISSING BOY
04/03/12MAN FOUND AFTER OVERNIGHT SEARCH BY RESCUE TEAM
26/02/12RESCUE TEAM TREAT INJURED MOUNTAIN BIKER
19/01/12TOP AWARD FOR NEW RESCUE TEAM SEARCH DOG
11/01/12JOLLY LARGE DONATION TO MOUNTAIN RESCUE TEAM
08/01/12WALKERS LOST OVERNIGHT ON PENNINES
16/12/11AWARD FOR LOCAL MOUNTAIN RESCUE TEAM LEADER
13/12/11MOUNTAIN RESCUE TEAM LEADER THANKS GENEROUS PUBLIC
04/12/11Donation Buys Defibrillator for Rescue Team
03/12/11RIVER SEARCH CONTINUES FOR MISSING MAN
30/11/11RESCUE TEAM SEARCH RIVER FOR MISSING MAN
21/11/11RESCUE TEAM IN SEARCH FOR MISSING MAN
02/05/11TWO NEW SEARCH DOGS FOR RESCUE TEAM
13/02/11RESCUE TEAM FINDS MISSING WALKER
13/02/11THIRD SUCCESSFUL FIND FOR RESCUE TEAM IN ONE WEEK
04/02/11RESCUE TEAM FINDS MAN AFTER 40 HOURS
19/01/11MOUNTAIN RESCUE TEAM SEEKS NEW MEMBERS
08/12/10MOUNTAIN RESCUE TEAM MEMBER RECEIVES BRAVERY AWARD
02/12/10RESCUE TEAM HELP OUT DISTRICT NURSES
23/11/10NEW TEAM LEADER FOR RESCUE TEAM
01/10/10BUSY WEEK FOR LOCAL RESCUE TEAM
28/08/10RESCUE TEAM HELP WITH ALAN HINKES CHALLENGE
14/07/10RESCUE TEAM SEARCH FOR MISSING MAN
28/06/10BIG LOTTERY AWARD FOR MOUNTAIN RESCUE TEAM
23/06/10North East Search & Rescue Team Cannon Ball Run
03/06/10North East Search & Rescue Team Helps after Cumbria Shooting
27/03/10Major Search Finds Missing Walkers
28/01/10Rescue Team Find Missing Man
25/01/10Countryfiles Matt Baker Helps Out Rescue Team
21/01/10Countryfiles Matt Baker Helps Out Rescue Team
13/01/10Major Search For Missing Fisherman
10/01/10Mountain Rescue Team Working For Last 5 Days
10/01/10Mountain Rescue Team Take Food To Animal Sanctuary
31/12/09Callouts Continue For Local Mountain Rescue Team
30/12/09Busy Day For Mountain Rescue Team
20/12/09Mountain Rescue Team Assist in Bad Weather
29/11/09Local Mountain Rescue Team Meet Prince Charles
20/11/09Local Mountain Rescue Team Help During Cumbrian Floods
10/11/09Mountain Rescue Team Receives Cash Donation
18/10/09No Sign of Missing Ferryhill Man
17/10/09Major Search For Missing Man
27/05/09Local Walking Group to the Rescue
26/03/09NE Rescue Teams Join York Search
25/01/09Missing Man Found Following Search
20/01/09Fell walker airlifted to safety
18/01/09Major Donation To Mountain Rescue Team
19/12/08Major Search for missing man
19/12/08Missing man found
30/09/08Rescue team find missing woman
24/08/08RESCUE TEAM 40TH ANNIVERSARY A SUCCESS
17/08/08RESCUE TEAM CELEBRATE 40TH ANNIVERSARY
24/06/08WOMEN WALKER RESCUED AFTER FALL
08/05/08Busy night for Rescue Team
30/04/08MOUNTAIN RESCUE TEAM RECOVER INJURED WALKER
29/03/08INJURED WALKER RECOVERED FROM FELL
28/03/08MOUNTAIN RESCUE TEAM FILM FOR BBC PROGRAMME
23/03/08Rescue from Gibson Cave
03/02/08MOUNTAIN RESCUE TEAMS CONTINUE SEARCH FOR MISSING MAN
01/02/08MOUNTAIN RESCUE INVOLVED IN MAJOR SEARCH & RESCUE ON A66
31/01/08Search for missing man
16/06/07Major Search for Missing Soldier
25/03/07Sea & Mud Challenge to Help Local Charities
11/02/07Baby Rescued From Snow By Rescue Team
29/01/07Search Dog Success
20/01/07Rescue Team Needs Rescuers
20/11/06Team have first winter snows whilst on exercise in High Pennine
07/11/06Elderly man found after extensive search
15/10/06Body found after major search
25/08/06Dog rescued from lead mine shaft
13/08/06Search for missing 75 year old
30/07/06Unusual Rescue for Search and Rescue Team
28/07/06Visit by Icelandic Search and Rescue Youth Team July 2006
22/07/06Search for missing 33 year old
25/03/06Sea & Mud Challenge
25/03/06Major search continue for missing Gentleman
19/03/06Cub Scout Leader Injured on Walk
01/02/06Outstanding success for three Search and Rescue Dogs
10/01/06Rescue Team appeal for new recruits
03/11/05Ian Findlay retires from TWSRT after 32 years

Routine press enquiries can be sent to publicity while urgent media enquiries can be sent here.

Some recent articles in the press can also be found here. Articles linked to callouts are linked directly from the callout page.

We are in the process of putting all our historical press articles online here. If you have any new articles which we have missed please let us know.

 

SEARCH AND RESCUE THROUGHOUT COUNTY DURHAM

CHARITY REG NO: 508877