Mountain rescue team to host awareness day events

The day, on Monday, May 3, will include search and rescue dog demonstrations, an orienteering course, free map and compass training, an observation test and vehicle displays. All of the events will be held at Langsett Barn, just off the A616

Visitors can also enjoy a walk around the woods and reservoir, or have first aid training from the Community First Responder team.

A spokesman for the team said: "The focus to the day is, 'So Much More Than Mountains', given our ever-changing role and increasing involvement in more police searches and civil contingencies actions.

"For example, 20 members of the team were called to search for a missing vulnerable 16-year-old girl in the Barnsley area in the early hours of April 15. The teenager was eventually found safe and well at 5am."

The mountain rescue team has covered the hills and moors around Penistone and the Woodhead Pass, as well as the north eastern Peak District and South Yorkshire, since 1964. All 40 members are volunteers from local towns and villages.

TV presenter Julia Bradbury has given her support to the day. She said: "I've been hill walking for many years now, in anything from glorious sunshine to the worst conditions Mother Nature could throw at me.

"Fortunately I've managed to avoid accidents but it's comforting to know that if things do go wrong a local mountain rescue team is always there ready to help.

"Mountain and Cave Rescue Awareness Day on May 3 will give you the opportunity to see how a rescue team works, whether they're rescuing an injured climber or walker, attending an emergency at a snowbound house, or chest-deep in a flooded high street."