This evening, Team Equipment Officer (Vehicles) Chris Greenhalgh, our New Vehicles Project Manager Martin Banks, Training Officer Elaine Gilliland, team members Mark Parry and Chris Tennant all sadly said a fond goodbye to two long-serving and reliable team members.

Our ‘Trusty Steeds’, Bolton Mobile One ’Tony’ and Bolton Mobile Two ’General,’ our two Land Rover 110 Defender Mountain Rescue Ambulances with a Bolton Mountain Rescue long service record going back to September 1999 when they first ’joined’ the team, departed the team this evening for pastures new elsewhere within the mountain rescue community.

Having been purchased by our friends and colleagues at North East Wales Search and Rescue Team (NEWSART), Team Leader Iain Ashcroft, Vehicles Officer Andy Trinder and Equipment Officer Paul ‘Pouch’ Smethurst happily received the keys for the two vehicles at 20:30 hrs this evening at our Ladybridge Hall Base / HQ.

After delivery of our three brand new 110 Defender Land Rover Mountain Rescue Ambulances on Tuesday this week, NEWSART purchased the exceptionally well looked after and regularly serviced vehicles for the price of £8,000:00 each including blue lights and sirens, winches, radio’s, pump up radio mast, roof-rack and cover, and many other internal and external relevant fittings and fixtures.

We also donated to NEWSART two sets of snow chains for these vehicles.

Although very sad to see the vehicles leave our team service, the team are happy to see them go to NEWSART where we know that they will be well looked after, and continue to serve within the UK Mountain Rescue community for many years to come.