In common with many other MRTs, Keswick has chosen to stay with the Land Rover Defender for its front line response vehicles. Whilst there is plenty of choice in the 4x4 market these days, we still find that the Defender is unbeatable in terms of its ability to get to places whatever the weather and terrain!
The current pair of Land Rovers, which go under the call signs of “Mobile” and “Echo” were bought in 2002 following a large bequest to the Team, and were specially adapted by Hadwins of Torver. The specification for both vehicles is identical, and the layouts are the same, so drivers don’t have to adapt at all. For the technically minded, the following list shows the amount of modification to each vehicle.
Base Vehicle - Land Rover TD5 LWB Station Wagon, with six seats and a windowless rear section. Painted in Team livery – white, with a Glasurite fluorescent red roof.
Internal changes:
External:
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New Vehicles for 5 Teams! |
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In June 2002, the Team formally commissioned 2 new rescue Land Rover 110 Td5 Station Wagons. These vehicles cost £30,000 each and they were supplied and customised by Lakeland Land Rover (Torver) Ltd. Their purchase was been facilitated by a significant bequest from Miss Olga Iredell, a former Keswick resident. The renewal of the existing vehicles, which were 13 and 11 years old respectively, had previously been postponed beyond their scheduled replacement, firstly because the Team had to ensure that their new Headquarters was fully funded, then because they were felt to be still in good repair. The replacement was finally delayed again because of fundraising concerns due to visitor shortfall during the foot and mouth crisis. The Rescue Team was delighted that the size of Miss Iredell's bequest allowed them to pass on their older, but well-maintained and still serviceable, vehicles free of charge to Edale MRT in the Peak District and Kintail MRT in the Western Highlands of Scotland. Benefits of such co-operation were spread even further as Edale MRT are in turn handed on their LDV Crew Bus to North of Tyne Search and Rescue Team in the North East.
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All Teams, and representatives from Lakeland Land Rover attended a Commissioning/Handover ceremony at Keswick MRT's Headquarters on 9 June, 2002. Keswick Mountain Rescue Team responds to around 70 callouts each year, being one of the busiest rescue teams in the country. They cover over 400 square kilometres, three of the highest mountains in England, and one third of the tops mentioned in Wainwright's Guides. Reliable four-wheel drive vehicles are essential for transporting members and equipment over rough tracks to valley heads. Mountain Rescue Teams are entirely funded by voluntary contributions and all contributions are gratefully received. The Team Leader, Mark Hodgson, expressed the gratitude of his members to the family and executors of the late Miss Iredell, Lakeland Land Rover Ltd for the customization of the vehicles, Land Rover plc for supplying to Lakeland Land Rover at 4% discount, and B F Goodrich who supplied All Terrain tyres for the new vehicles at a substantial discount. (Report from the Keswick Reminder)
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