This afternoon at 15.00hrs, we welcomed Chris Davies MEP, Liberal Democrat MEP for North West England and members of the local Liberal Democrat Party in a visit to our Ladybridge Hall Base / HQ.
The visit by Chris Davies MEP was in connection with his well supported campaign alongside colleague Tim Farron MP, to obtain VAT exemption for Mountain and Lowland Search and Rescue teams across the European Union.
Chris Davies MEP and Tim Farron MP believe that there is a public interest in exempting certain activities from VAT and specifically in exempting Search and Rescue Services activities including both Mountain Rescue Services and Lowland Search and Rescue Services.
Chris Davies MEP arrived in the company of Bolton Liberal Democrats Chairman Eric Hyde, Bolton Liberal Democrats Secretary Douglas Bagnall, Councillor Roger Hayes Leader Liberal Democrat Group on Bolton Council, Councillor Stephen Rock Leader Liberal Democrat Group on Horwich Council, Barbara Ronson Honorary Alderman, Bolton, Bob Ronson Honorary Alderman, Bolton, and Andrew Martin.
They were met by our Team President Bob Hutchinson, Team Leader Garry Rhodes MBE, Team Treasurer Martin Banks, Team Life Vice President (And a Founder Team member) Alan James, Team member Chris Tennant, and Team Support Group member Gary Melia and his young son, Harry, aged six.
Chris Davies MEP, who is a Fell Runner and Ultra Long Distance Trail Runner, alongside all others present, poised some very interesting questions to those Bolton MRT members present, with Chris showing particular interest in how we had all come to join (And stay !) in Bolton Mountain Rescue Team.
A buffet provided by the team, with huge thanks to Support Group me
mber Gary Melia for his catering help, was warmly commented upon.
All our very interested visitors today were given a full tour of our Base / HQ and the Team vehicles garaged on site.
After nearly two hours in our company it was time for all to leave, all now aware of what we in Bolton MRT are about and how we fit in to the local, regional and national SAR framework.
For those who may wish to join in with the response and campaign by Chris Davies MEP, he has created a sign up portal on his website at www.chrisdaviesmep.org.uk/mountain_rescue_eu_vat_consultation
Those team members present today would like to thank Chris Davies MEP and those in his company during this visit, for their very obvious interest in our voluntary search and rescue work, and their total support for what we provide in assisting our local and wider community in times of need.
Chris Davies MEP later this same day, emailed Martin Banks our Treasurer, with thanks for the warm reception he received.
