An insight of Pennine Rescue By Graham Miles AKA Milo.

I have been involved with motor sport for 25 years. My first event as a competitor in 1977, when at the age of 17, I entered a Peak & Dukeries Land Rover Club trial. During the 1980's, I was a regular competitor and committee member of Pennine Land Rover It was at Pennine that Ray Whittaker (Pennine Recovery) and myself became two of the first 'licensed' Recovery Operators in the UK. Within a few years, Pennine had almost 20 Recovery Units, and Ray had a busy time organising cover for many events and rallies. It was during this period that I became friends with David Tattersfield, who was to become co-founder of Pennine Rescue with myself. Dave had been licensed Recovery Crew with Andy Morse for many years. In the late 80's, I became involved in stage rallies as a member of the now debunked Shipley & District Motor Club. I entered a group 'B' Mini (without much success) and gave up after my second 'roll'. In 1988, Dave and I decided to attempt to set-up a Rescue Unit with a very limited budget. The first hurdle was training. Dave joined Northern Rescue and I joined Humber Rescue. Whilst I was at Humber, they purchased a replacement unit, so for a few hundred pounds we were able to buy their old Land Rover Ambulance (what a shed it was!!!),(see picture) but it got us off the ground and Pennine Rescue was launched.

The reason for the choice of 'Pennine' as the unit name was decided as Pennine Land Rover Club were our first 'sponsor'. They took a gamble and gave us funds to enable us to purchase our first set of hydraulic cutting equipment, and in return they are able to hire our units at very favourable rates.

Dave and I were licensed in 1990, and with income from events we purchased and an ex West Yorkshire County 'Hanlon' type Ambulance.

In 2000 Transco donated a Land Rover 130 - special incident unit that they had built for major gas emergencies, complete with light towers etc. However, the vehicle was never used, other than to be taken for service visits (so it only had minimal mileage). This vehicle became Pennine 2, and is ideal for off-road type events.

All our crew are volunteers and like us are unpaid. We thank each member and their family for the help and commitment the give throughtout each year.

The grateful help of many organisations and individuals over the years has helped to make motorsport a safer place. If your name has been ommitted from these pages, it doesn't mean we have forgotten you in anyway. WE SAY THANK YOU VERY MUCH.