THE only surviving member of the original Dartmoor Rescue Group has been presented with an award for his lifetime's dedication to youth and safety on the moor.
Fred Barlow, 78, a holder of the British Empire Medal, was awarded 'Man of the Moor' by the Dartmoor Society — joining Geoffrey Weymouth, made Man of the Moor last year for his unique photographic record of the area, and archaeologist Dr Jeremy Butler in 1998.
Mr Barlow was presented a specially-commissioned plate at a ceremony last week.
Society chairman Dr Tom Greeves said: 'Fred Barlow is a unique character with a deep personal relationship with Dartmoor, especially the rugged northern area. His inspiration to young people and his dedication to safety when walking on Dartmoor has been outstanding. He is owed a huge debt of gratitude by all those connected with, and helped by, the Dartmoor Rescue Group which he established, with others, in 1968 at Okehampton.
'The Dartmoor Society salutes his lifetime of achievement.'
Mr Barlow, who lives in Okehampton with his wife Joyce, said he was very pleased to be singled out for the honour — 'Deeply honoured,' he said.
His love of the moor was implanted as a young man in South Zeal. He went on to work for British Telecom, or the GPO as it was back in 1948 when he started, for most of his working life. It was there that he became involved in the outdoor activities and the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme that were a part of the training of an apprentice in those days.
Mr Barlow said he had always been interested in young people and valued the opportunity to pass on his love of the moor to them along with the skills to stay safe in what can be a very hostile environment.
Mr Barlow, as well as fulfilling his day time job, was also expedition advisor to British Telecom's D of E scheme and safety officer for the MOD during the annual Ten Tors Walks.
'When the Ten Tors came it was a glorious chance to teach youngsters how to do the job properly,' he said. 'That was the finest thing to come to this part of the world.'
Mr Barlow, who was heading out on the moor in one of his still frequent walks as we spoke to him, said the moor had altered dramatically over the 70 odd years he had known it.
'The heather's gone and you can hardly find wortleberries any more and with the water companies drawing so much water off the moor, it's much drier — a very different place,' he said.