HISTORY

A MAJOR SEARCH IN THE PENNINES
Press report November 30th 1965
"Late yesterday afternoon Mr Robert Akrigg, the 55-year-old reservoir keeper, who was lost on Gorple Moor during a blizzard on Monday morning, had still not been found."
He had left his home at Gorple cottages, above the Hardcastle Crags valley, to check water gauges on the reservoir gathering grounds, and failed to return. Since late on Monday afternoon the search for Mr Akrigg had continued. Employees of Calderdale Waterboard, the Police and local farmers and gamekeepers in the area have been joined by Mountain and Fell Rescue teams from over a wide area of the North of England and The Midlands.
With the passing of days, the hope of finding Mr Akrigg had diminished. Throughout the search, conditions have never been good. Ever present has been the biting wind, causing snow 'smoke' over the whole of the moors.
After 69 days the snows receded to reveal the body of Mr Akrigg who had lost his life to the sudden and ferocious elements of the wild moors.In early 1966 questions were asked and interest was shown in the forming of a Rescue Team in Calder Valley."The need for a rescue team in the difficult Pennine area surrounding Calder Valley is evident" Mr Wally Keay, a member and former leader of the Wharfedale fell rescue team, told those present at a meeting in the Youth House, Hebden Bridge.
Over 30 people attended from the area between Todmorden and Halifax. The meeting was called to consider the possibilities of forming a local rescue team, brought about by the disappearance of Mr Robert Akrigg. Mr Keay said it should be understood straight away there was nothing romantic or heroic about being a member of a rescue team. Five per cent of the work was inspiration and ninety-five per cent just hard slogging.
The Calder Valley Moorland Rescue Team came into being at the Youth House, Hebden Bridge, when twenty-six people from the area between Todmorden and Halifax attended. The need for training and dangers that would arise if not undertaken were expressed. After taking the chair on being elected Mr Kenneth Greenwood, of Wadsworth, stated that the first priority was for people interested in the project to attend training classes in first aid and navigation over a period of several weeks. Mr W. D. Atkins, who instigated the idea of the team, said that he had been in touch with the St John Ambulance Brigade at Hebden Bridge who had agreed to help. Without this training the members would be unable to find anyone in distress and unable to help them then upon discovery. Mr Greenwood went on to say that it would be sometime before the team could be set up in full. The main thing was to split into two groups concentrating on first aid and navigation. Other sections, which included communication, transport, catering, could be set up after the team had been properly formed and were not vital in the initial stages.
Twelve years later in 1978, with a forty-five strong organisation, the team made the decision to move to larger premises. These bold plans to move into the Old Coach House at the rear of the Tourist Information Centre in Hebden Bridge, were a far cry from the meagre cupboard in Youth House, Hebden Bridge, which was the teams original equipment store. The council offered a long-term lease to allow their plans to go ahead. There followed many months of hard work to convert and alter the premises to meet the needs of the Team. This included garaging for the Team's first vehicle which was a newly acquired Ambulance duly converted for the Team's needs.
By 1994 the Team had out grown its HQ in Hebden Bridge. A decision was made to attempt the impossible and raise money in the order of £50000-£60000 to build a new purposely designed Headquarters on land made available by the Mytholmroyd Community Centre.
On 24th September of that year the venture was commenced with the cutting of the 'turf' by the Mayor of Calderdale, Councillor Richard Pearson and Mr Richard Marshall, Chairman of Mytholmroyd Community Centre. Under the watchful eye of Robert Marshall (Architect) of Todmorden, who undertook the building of the new project, the base and structure took shape. Fund raising continued and support from within the community, banking, commerce and industry eventually allowed the raising of almost £96000.
June 1996 saw the official opening by the Chief Constable of West Yorkshire Police, Mr. Keith Hellawell. Through the hard work of the membership, sponsors, companies large and small, individuals, clubs, groups and others and not least the building contractors Calder Valley Search and Rescue Team now has a Rescue Headquarters to be proud of. Their daily commitment to provide a Rescue Service in the South Pennines has continued to develop. Their skills have come a long way from those early days and are frequently tested under adverse conditions. The maintenance of the Team and its equipment continues to this day to be a hard and dutiful task. The rewards are many and the help provided to others at times of distress will always be their driving force. We train to a high standard in order to save life and reduce suffering for those deemed to be at risk in the outdoors.