A MOUNTAIN Rescue team is celebrating 75 year anniversary.

Coniston was the first official Mountain Rescue Team of its kind in the UK formed after a search for Guide Eric Sivyer in December 1946 when he set off one morning for a walk in the Coniston Fells.

The manpower used during the search was huge and included police from various counties, local farmers and climbers from the village.

He was found dead at the bottom of a local waterfall called the White Lady three days after his absence was reported.

This led to a meeting looking to organise a group to be called upon to manage rescues.

Twenty locals met in the pub and carried on the idea by forming Coniston Fell Rescue Party January 31, 1947.

Later, Rescue Teams across the Lake District joined forces, becoming LDSAMRA (Lake District Search and Mountain Rescue Association) sharing the best practices and protocols.

Many changes have occurred over 75 years and the number and type of callouts have increased in quantity and variety.

Hiking has become more popular so common accidents following a slip or tumble are attended more often, whereas climbing accidents have declined as the quality of equipment increased with a higher level of safety awareness.

Mobiles enable calls for help and locating a casualty is quicker thanks to SARLOC and Phone Find, programmes available to National Search and Rescue Log (SARCALL) users.

Links can be sent to smartphones and one click sends their position to a map in the Rescue Base.

Care has also improved as team members are fully qualified to deliver advanced First Aid and undergo a strict training regime and exams every three years.

Team members are equipped with the best equipment, quality clothing, helmets and harnesses, to ensure they are kitted out appropriately for the conditions they face, and attend regular training to maintain their competences. 

The rescue team is still not paid, and rely on donations to fund the cost of running the Team and its vehicles.

Janice Hamilton, Team Leader of Coniston Mountain Rescue said: “To celebrate, we enjoyed an evening eating and drinking at the local Sports & Social Club and each member received a 75th Celebratory fleece.

“The Ruskin Museum approached us about an exhibition which seemed a fitting end to the year. It’s only a small exhibition but there is a lot going on there. It depicts the sense of time from how and when the Team was first brought together, to the present day, with photographs, newspaper cuttings, and articles. There are artefacts of old equipment such as a stretcher and clothing, etc, in comparison to items used today. There are also some personal accounts from Team Members.”

The exhibition runs until March 26 and is open to the public.