DARTMOOR Search and Rescue team was presented with a £100 cheque last week by the Chapter of Obedience, who meet at Freemasons Hall in Okehampton. The Okehampton section of the rescue team accepted the cheque at its control centre in Station Road from Harry James, first principal of the chapter's local branch. Mr James at the presentation said he had first-hand interest in and experience of the work of rescue teams, having been rescued by helicopter after suffering a neck injury during a three peaks trek in Yorkshire. He also recounted an occasion on which he had volunteered to act as a casualty for a joint exercise by the Dartmoor Search and Rescue team and the Derbyshire Mountain Rescue team — and was left in a derelict tinners' hut beyond Cranmere Pool until rescuers found and 'rescued' him. The Masons were given a guided tour of the control centre, which is used as a meeting and training base, and as the operational centre for call-outs. Mr James is pictured presenting he cheque to John Whiting of the DRG. Also shown is Chris Hodgson. Picture by Ian Snell
