On the 19th of February 1956, Tom Tomlinson, the first full-time head warden of the newly formed Peak District National Park and Fred Heardman, the landlord of The Old Nags Head public house in Edale, organised the first training exercise of Edale Mountain Rescue Team.
In February 2026 the Team held a 70th birthday party at the Old Nags Head with lots of retired team members joining the current team for a night of stories and celebration.
From late 2025 i have been running a project to get a plaque erected to commemorate the teams 70th.
I approached Leander Architectural in Dove Holes, Buxton for their services to design and make a plaque the design for which was a hybrid between a traditional blue heritage plaque and an original red, white and blue Mountain Rescue Committee RESCUE POST sign that were once commonplace in the hills and mountains.
I have to say that i was blown away by the craftsmanship of Leanders. In between visits to check on our plaque i would rummage through their collection of moulds for past projects – including the SBS memorial at Le Verdon-sur-Mer.
After 6 months of work i was relieved to finally get permissiom for the plaque to be mounted on the listed Old Nags Head Inn in Edale. The plaque was mounted yesterday by a team colleague, hidden behind a barmaids apron !! and unveiled today by the Team chairman at a little event.
It celebrates the 70 year connection between everyone that has served in Edale Mountain Rescue Team, the area and The Old Nags Head Inn.
A few days ago we stretchered a casualty off Kinder and popped in to the Nags for a much needed cold drink afterwards, just like Tom and Fred and the first team members did 70 years ago and have done ever since.
Chuffed that i managed to get this sorted and unveiled in the 70th year of the Team.
Give it a nod if you’re passing ….