The event was supported by the surrounding community and local dignitaries, with the base being officially opened by Sir Ranulph Fiennes. The day marked the end of months of hard work in planning and preparations, and the result is an outstanding, modern and functional facility which the team should be proud of.

Well done to Exmoor team.

The team are indebited to the contributions of the following people and organisations for their dedication, enthusiasm, and contributions to the cause.

Pete’s Dragons – Family and friends of a gentleman, the team were tasked with searching for early in 2010. Unfortunately he was found deceased, but through a series of events including a gruelling cycle ride from Lands End to Twickenham, his family and friends have put an exceptional effort into raising £ 4300 for team funds.

Penzance Rotary – This branch of Rotary presented the team with a cheque for £ 1958, raised at their annual sponsored walk.

St Austell Brewery Charitable Trust – have awarded the team a grant of £ 1000.

Western Power – Have donated £ 1000.

The Lions clubs of Camborne and Redruth, Penzance, Truro, Looe, and Liskeard have donated a total of £ 850-00 between them.

A combination of Cornwall Councillors have donated £ 500 from their Community Chest funds.

South West Water have donated £ 300 towards the goal.

Roche Vets held a fund raising day for the team, which raised an amazing £ 250.

Callington Ladies – Made a donation of £ 200-00 from their funds towards our work.

This gives a grand total raised so far of £ 10358 which has far exceeded our expectations. We arein the process of acquiring the new vehicles, and look forward to showing them off in early March.

Following the festive season, 28 members turned out to search for a missing and injured Geocacher, and two of his friends who had organised an impromptu search party.

Search Dog handler Shaun Rosevear with his dog 'Tigger' were first on scene and out onto the moor, allowing them a valuable headstart in very favourable conditions. With both vehicles on scene, four full search teams were able to deploy onto the moor soon after, with further team members assisting in Control.

Within ½ hour Dog Tigger, found all three missing people, and arrangements made to escort the two uninjured men to safety. Meanwhile search teams were recalled, and redeployed with first aid and rescue equipment to assist with the injured geocacher, who had broken his ankle, and was suffering from hypothermia.

A saturated moor made conditions underfoot, challenging, but using the Mc Innes stretcher that we have on loan for evaluation, performed exceptionally well, and a the casualty was safely evacuated by 23:00.

A great exercise with some good training and learning points shared by one and all.

Wishing all our readers and subscribers a safe and prosperous 2011.

Tim Hughes – Chairman - Jan 2011

for an assessment and recruitment day. Despite the challenging conditions underfoot, we were

very impressed with the calibre and determination of those who took part, and look forward to

welcoming some new faces onto the team in the near future.

The success of the day means that we are now at our full membership quota, however we maintain

an active waiting list, and are always interested to hear from suitably qualified and experienced

individuals wanting to join us, so please get in touch if you are interested.

"Perfect Induction Day weather"

Head first but they'll learn once they've been in it once or twice!

Navigation skills being tested

The course which covers how to keep yourself and others safe in and around water included specialist rescue techniques from fast flowing rivers, river bank searching and night time operations. Provided by "Rescue 3", the course was based at the Tavistock team base, the River Tavy and the slightly sprightlier River Dart .

Many thanks must go to Tavistock team and Rescue 3 for such an enjoyable and essential course.

On Wednesday 9th September 2010, four of our team members travelled to Clyst St George, headquarters of the Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service and home of their Urban Search and Rescue unit, for the first annual Local Resilience Forum, Search and Reescue Committee conference.

The Local Resilience Forum is responsible for developing strategy and plans for use in major incidents and civil emergencies such as severe weather across Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. The Local Search and Rescue Committee forms one of these multi agency sub groups which looks at operational and strategic considerations and procedures. Although the committee meets several times a year, this was the first time that all local mountain and cave rescue teams had been invited to take part in a variety of informative presentations and demonstrations.

All at Cornwall SRT found the event extremely useful and would like to thank everyone involved - especially Sgt Mike Rose at Devon and Cornwall Police and Laurie Adams of DSFRS.

Seen in the photo below is our Chairman Tim Hughes, Medical Officer - Steve Puckey, Mine Rescue Officer and PenMACRA chair - Andy Brelsford, and Team Leader - Jim Gallienne, along with representative from other teams and emergency services throughout the region.

This is the culmination of months of hard training and fundraising and we're over the moon that they have chosen to support the team. A huge congratulations to everyone involved for such a mammouth achievement.

On Wednesday, some of the team were lucky enough to meet Pete's Dragons on their way through Cornwall. They even took some time out to pose for a few snaps - super stars!!!

Find out more about Pete's Dragons, and better still - make a donation - by visiting their excellent website - www.petesdragons.org.uk

Arrangements had been made for the aircraft to RV with the team at Truro Airfield, where they were given a thorough brief on the capabilities of the helicopter, and the key differences between this and the previous aircraft. Following this, the team were instructed in the correct procedures for loading a casualty on board, with many team members taking the place of the casualty.

The team would like to thank Devon and Cornwall Police, and the aircrew for this valuable training and look forward to continuing working with the aircraft.

We were delighted therefore to recently receive a cheque of £1500 which will help the team purchase a new land rover in the future.

You can read more about the event at:

www.999cornwall.co.uk and This is Cornwall News Story

Recognising the service that the voluntary search and rescue teams provide to the community, Pete's Dragons was formed and they have just launched their website. You can read of their quest there, and also find details of their mammoth bike ride from Lands End to Twickenham, set for September this year. Please visit their website and give your support - either financially or on the roadside!!!

So far they have already organised a car boot sale, and on Saturday we sent a small team and vehicle to their Fundraising Fete in aid of the team and also Dartmoor Rescue Group.

The team is overwhelmed by the dedication and support they have shown us and on behalf of the whole team - THANK YOU!

Visit their website here - www.petesdragons.org.uk