Local MP Tessa Munt meets A&S SAR
05/09/10 The Wells MP Tessa Munt spent an adrenaline filled Sunday morning in Cheddar Gorge with Avon and Somerset Search and Rescue. Tessa met with the team to learn more about the vital search and rescue work of the organisation before abseiling the world famous gorge. She said ‘I was keen to meet them in their environment rather than in a meeting room’ and described her first time ever abseiling as ‘fantastic!’
Avon and Somerset Search and Rescue is an entirely voluntary organisation performing a challenging and varied service. The team was called out a total of 67 times in the last 12 months resulting in 3350 operational hours. Ms Munt said ‘the specialist service these volunteers provide is amazing, they work in the most extreme situations with fantastic skills and it’s important they get the level of recognition they deserve.’ The MP said she wanted to ensure that the Search and Rescue Team receives as much help as possible to deliver its specialist service which complements the regular emergency services and promised to raise this with the Home Office.
The MP visited as part of the handover of the patronage of the team from Lord Bath to his son. The south side of Cheddar Gorge is owned by Lord Bath who was instrumental in setting up the original cliff rescue team that later became Avon & Somerset Search and Rescue. Hugh Cornwell, Director of Cheddar Caves and Gorge attended on behalf of the Longleat Estate.