Duke visits Clapham cave rescuers (From The Westmorland Gazette)

Duke visits Clapham cave rescuers

9:40am Thursday 13th May 2010 in Clapham news

THE DUKE of Kent met volunteers of the Cave Rescue Organisation based in Clapham yesterday as part of the group’s 75th anniversary celebrations.

He chatted to several volunteers and their families for an hour before being presented with scones, three bottles of beer and a book.

The Duke, accompanied by Vice Lord Lieutenant Colonel Eddy York, was shown all the organisation’s latest equipment and two of the group’s search and rescue dogs. He also unveiled a plaque to commemorate the group’s anniversary.

The Duke ended his visit by speaking to a woman, from Leeds, who was rescued on Whernside on Valentine’s Day 2009 by 28 members of the organisation.

The Duke said he was glad to hear her rescue went well, and told a group of 32 children from Clapham Primary School, who were waving flags and cheering, that it was nice to see them.

“It was a great honour to meet the Duke and be able to show him the work we do,” said CRO Chairman Jack Pickup. “He was very interested in seeing what we did.”

The CRO is the oldest cave rescue team in the world. Last year volunteers attended a record 88 call-outs involving 59 fell walkers, 15 cavers, five climbers and six animals.