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Borough freedom for round-the-clock rescuer

Sue Carr
21/ 2/2007

A PENSIONER is to be made a Freeman of the Borough after dedicating almost 50 years to Glossop Mountain Rescue.

Day or night, rain or shine, 68-year-old Ray Davies still turns out to help walkers, bikers and sometimes even horse riders who are stuck on the Peak District hills.

The only difference is these days he gets to wear waterproofs!

Ray was one of the founder members of the Glossop Rover Scout Mountain Rescue Team in 1957.

In 1964, following the Four Inns tragedy which claimed the lives of three scouts, it became the Glossop Mountain Rescue Team.

And the voluntary organisation, based at Glossop Fire Station and of which he is now life president, has been a part of his life ever since.

Ray, who has two daughters and two grandsons, is on call constantly, every hour of every day, and has even been called out on Christmas morning.

He was also secretary of the Mountain Rescue Council for England and Wales for 25 years.

But he remains modest and says he was surprised to be put forward for the Freeman awards.

"It's quite an honour and I wasn't expecting it," he said.

"It was always something that seemed worthwhile and it fitted in with my interest in mountaineering.

"It's a challenge sometimes in bad weather and blizzards - they didn't have waterproofs in the old days - but the camaraderie keeps you going and it is quite rewarding.

"We must have saved a few lives over the years."

Ray, who lives in Charlesworth, was nominated for the honour by Old Glossop Councillor Chris Webster and will officially be made a Freeman next month.

Cllr Webster said: "That someone can dedicate 50 years of their life to volunteering makes me feel so humble.

"He has done so much for mountain rescue teams in this country and I am so pleased his work has been recognised."