NORTH Dartmoor Search and Rescue Team officially opened its new premises in Okehampton on Saturday afternoon, welcoming more than 100 people to see its tailor-made rescue centre.

After the official ribbon cutting ceremony, those present enjoyed looking around the new centre and finding out more about the equipment the team use on rescues.

It was a big day for the team, who attend callouts across the whole of the northern area of the moor. The new centre on Hambeldown Road, which has been eight years in the planning, gives the team a base close to both the moor and to the A30.

‘It was a fantastic day,’ said team leader David Stoneman. ‘We had over 100 people visit our new centre. There were invited sponsors and donors, past members, families, friends and members from other search and rescue teams. There was a really good atmosphere. Children particularly enjoyed our rescue boat, young and old tried their skills at resuscitation and there was real intrigue about and interest in the technology we use to manage searches.’

The centre was officially opened by Les Agar, one of the team’s longest serving members who spends many hours fundraising. In the last year alone he has raised more than £6,000, nearly a third of the team’s annual running costs.

David continued: ‘It’s been a long journey to reach today. We started talking about finding new premises in 2009 and after a lengthy search and some hard fundraising, we managed to buy the building in 2013 for £100,000. We’ve since had a further four years of fundraising, project planning and construction to create this tailor-made rescue centre.

‘It’s cost just under £100,000 to create; we’ve built washing, drying and storage rooms, installed a mezzanine floor and created a training room with kitchen facilities.

‘It’s already making a real difference to our operation. Our response times to callouts are much faster because the vehicles are already loaded and ready to go; we can also access the main roads much faster.

‘The washing facilities and drying room mean we are better able to clean and dry equipment and have it packed up ready for the next emergency. The spacious and bright training room is also a great asset; we train every week and while we are often on the moors we do need indoor facilities for more traditional teaching sessions and taking some of the casualty care exams.

‘It’s been a huge project and a bit daunting at times. It’s only been possible because of the time and effort of many volunteers, both team members and others, and the support and generosity of our donors and sponsors, to whom I’d like to say a big thank you from all the team.’

Visitors on Saturday were able to meet the team as well as see demonstrations of the equipment which is used to rescue people, with the team’s control vehicle in operation as though they were attending a callout.

‘It went really well, it was bigger than I thought it was going to be. We did the official ribbon cutting ceremony and then came outside and there were all these people there. It was really nice to see the support,’ said David. ‘All afternoon there were people coming and going.’

Before moving to its new premises four years ago, the team leased premises on George Street in the town, but had nowhere to store their vehicles.

This meant they had to park and load up equipment in the street, costing them precious seconds when attending a callout.

Pictures by James Bird unless stated.