Longtown Mountain Rescue Team

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Abergavenny (Y Fenni), Wales
Longtown Mountain Rescue Team

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Est. 1965

Longtown Mountain Rescue Team is a voluntary organisation which provides Search and Rescue across Herefordshire, Monmouthshire and Worcestershire.
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The Team Formed in 1965 and based in Abergavenny since 2001, Longtown Mountain Rescue Team is an emergency service staffed entirely by volunteers from all walks of life who freely give up their time. We work in conjunction with the police and other agencies, to locate and recover lost or injured individuals from remote places in the Black Mountains and surrounding area. Although our main function and training is geared towards mountain rescue , we can be called upon to assist the police in searching for missing young or vulnerable individuals, in urban and rural areas where available police resources are limited and the situation is urgent. The team has an operational membership of 40 to provide a service which is available 24 hours a day 365 days of the year. Providing a professional and effective service, always in a state of readiness to deploy at a moments notice, requires each member to train on a regular basis to maintain the necessary skill levels in first aid and search and rescue techniques. The team receives no official funding and it is through the hard work of the team members that the funds are raised to maintain the service. Where we Operate Our main operating area is the easterly section of the Brecon Beacons National Park, an area known as the Black Mountains, popular amongst walkers, mountain bikers and outdoor enthusiasts. The Brecon Beacons cover an area of some 520 square miles and much of the park is over 800ft(244m) above sea level. The main summits are over 2000ft(610m) high and the whole area is of varied terrain from open moorland to dense forests and barren peaks.The team is not however purely confined to the mountainous regions, we operate in lowlands and urban areas if necessary, as far north as the southern reaches of Snowdonia and south to the Bristol Channel.

12/10/2026

𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝗪𝗢𝗠𝗔𝗡 𝗢𝗙 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗬𝗘𝗔𝗥

We are so proud that our team leader, Hazel Highfield, has been invited to the 2026 Women of the Year Awards, celebrating women who have made a difference across the UK and beyond.

Hazel has been a member of Longtown Mountain Rescue Team for more than 30 years, taking part in hundreds of rescues across the Black Mountains in Herefordshire, South Wales and the surrounding areas.

During that time, she has served as Honorary Secretary for more than 20 years, as well as holding the roles of Search Manager and Deputy Team Leader. She was appointed Team Leader in 2024.

Those who work alongside Hazel know the qualities that make her an outstanding colleague and leader. She sets high standards and leads by example, both on and off the hill. On callouts, she is calm and quietly authoritative, listening to others and working through problems together, while providing clear, decisive leadership when needed.

Our Hon. Chair, Dr Tim Potts, says: “I have known Hazel since she joined the team, when it quickly became obvious that she was keen to learn as much as possible about rescue work. She had no background in mountain activities or sports but soon proved herself to be a reliable, responsible, determined and highly competent team member. Hazel has always shown an interest in, and aptitude for, the medical care of casualties and, as an experienced team doctor, I have always been impressed by her knowledge and skill in this field, her ability to think and act systematically and logically under pressure and, importantly, her sensitivity and compassion towards casualties and their loved ones.”

As a volunteer and leader in mountain rescue, Hazel inspires trust; her standards drive performance; and her values shape the culture of the team, ultimately benefiting our casualties. She has an innate ability to bring out the best in those around her. She invests time in developing others, builds confidence in less experienced team members and fosters a strong sense of unity and shared purpose.

As a team we are extremely proud of Hazel and all that she has achieved.

02/10/2026

𝗖𝗔𝗟𝗟𝗢𝗨𝗧

On Tuesday at 14:25, the team was contacted by Dyfed-Powys Police following reports of a walker who was struggling on the Offas D**e Path near Hay.

Team members arrived at scene, and found the person being looked after by other members of the group. The person was assessed by one of our team medics, and then helped back to a place of safety.

We wish the person a speedy recovery.

Longtown Mountain Rescue Team is a voluntary organisation who respond to requests from the police for assistance in the Black Mountains of South Wales and Herefordshire for injured and missing people. The Team is on-call 𝟮𝟰 hours a day, 𝟯𝟲𝟱 days a year and relies entirely on donations from members of the public to carry out this essential life-saving rescue service.

You can help with the work we do and support the Team by donating through our page. You can also help if you 𝗟𝗜𝗞𝗘 & 𝗦𝗛𝗔𝗥𝗘 this post to raise awareness of the work we do.

21/09/2026

𝗔𝗕𝗘𝗥𝗚𝗔𝗩𝗘𝗡𝗡𝗬 𝗙𝗢𝗢𝗗 𝗙𝗘𝗦𝗧𝗜𝗩𝗔𝗟

This weekend, our team had the amazing opportunity to showcase the work we do at the Abergavenny Food Festival.

Our team members had a fantastic time meeting members of the public and talking about the work we do to support communities across Monmouthshire, Herefordshire and the surrounding areas.

Throughout the weekend, team members also took part in planned walks around the local area, providing an opportunity to showcase the beautiful surroundings that Abergavenny has to offer.

Thanks to the incredible generosity of the public, we raised an amazing £380 over the weekend!

Donations like these make a real and lasting difference. They help us fund essential technical equipment, medical supplies and the specialist training required to ensure our volunteers are always ready to respond when they are needed most.

A huge thank you to everyone who stopped by to speak with us and took part in the weekend. Your continued support enables us to be there for those in need when it matters most.

We’re incredibly grateful for your support and can’t wait to see you all again next year!

Longtown Mountain Rescue Team is a voluntary organisation who respond to requests from the police for assistance in the Black Mountains of South Wales and Herefordshire for injured and missing people. The Team is on-call 𝟮𝟰 hours a day, 𝟯𝟲𝟱 days a year and relies entirely on donations from members of the public to carry out this essential life-saving rescue service.

You can help with the work we do and support the Team by donating through our page. You can also help if you 𝗟𝗜𝗞𝗘 & 𝗦𝗛𝗔𝗥𝗘 this post to raise awareness of the work we do.

11/09/2026

𝗖𝗔𝗟𝗟𝗢𝗨𝗧

Yesterday at 17:30, the team was contacted by Gwent Police following reports of a walker who had sustained an injury in woodland near Monmouth.

As team members arrived at the scene, personnel from South Wales Fire and Rescue Service and the Welsh Ambulance Services University NHS Trust also arrived to assist.

Working alongside South Wales Fire and Rescue Service, we utilised a technical rope rescue system to safely lower the person from the woodland to a place of safety, where they could receive further care.

We wish the person a speedy recovery.

Longtown Mountain Rescue Team is a voluntary organisation who respond to requests from the police for assistance in the Black Mountains of South Wales and Herefordshire for injured and missing people. The Team is on-call 𝟮𝟰 hours a day, 𝟯𝟲𝟱 days a year and relies entirely on donations from members of the public to carry out this essential life-saving rescue service.

You can help with the work we do and support the Team by donating through our page. You can also help if you 𝗟𝗜𝗞𝗘 & 𝗦𝗛𝗔𝗥𝗘 this post to raise awareness of the work we do.

09/09/2026

𝗘𝗠𝗘𝗥𝗚𝗘𝗡𝗖𝗬 𝗦𝗘𝗥𝗩𝗜𝗖𝗘𝗦 𝗗𝗔𝗬

Today is Emergency Services Day, a time to honour and celebrate the incredible dedication, courage, and hard work of all emergency service personnel, from devoted volunteers to full-time frontline staff. Thank you for everything you do!

Longtown Mountain Rescue Team is a voluntary organisation who respond to requests from the police for assistance in the Black Mountains of South Wales and Herefordshire for injured and missing people. The Team is on-call 𝟮𝟰 hours a day, 𝟯𝟲𝟱 days a year and relies entirely on donations from members of the public to carry out this essential life-saving rescue service.

You can help with the work we do and support the Team by donating through our page. You can also help if you 𝗟𝗜𝗞𝗘 & 𝗦𝗛𝗔𝗥𝗘 this post to raise awareness of the work we do.

05/09/2026

𝗖𝗔𝗟𝗟𝗢𝗨𝗧𝗦

Today at 13:50, the team was contacted by Gwent Police following reports of two walkers who had become stuck on steep ground in the Llanthony area. At the same time, we received a second call from the Welsh Ambulance Services University NHS Trust regarding a person who had fallen and sustained injuries in the Llangattock area.

The team was immediately deployed and split into two groups, each responding with a range of medical and rescue equipment. Allowing us to respond to both incidents simultaneously.

In Llanthony, team members made their way onto the hillside using one of our Toyota response vehicles. The walkers were located and assisted from the steep ground before being assessed by one of our team medics. They were then safely walked and driven down from the mountainside.

In Llangattock, team members were deployed onto the hill and located the injured person, who was being cared for by a Welsh Ambulance Services University NHS Trust Paramedic. The person was placed onto a stretcher and, using a range of technical rope rescue techniques, they were safely lowered from the mountainside to the waiting ambulance.

While these two incidents were ongoing, the team received a third call from Gwent Police to reports of a fallen climber in the Chepstow area. Due to the nature of the incident, and with our resources already committed to two separate incidents, we immediately contacted Severn Area Rescue Association for assistance.

A big thank you to SARA for responding and providing support with this incident.

We wish everyone involved in today’s callouts a safe and speedy recovery.

Longtown Mountain Rescue Team is a voluntary organisation who respond to requests from the police for assistance in the Black Mountains of South Wales and Herefordshire for injured and missing people. The Team is on-call 𝟮𝟰 hours a day, 𝟯𝟲𝟱 days a year and relies entirely on donations from members of the public to carry out this essential life-saving rescue service.

You can help with the work we do and support the Team by donating through our page. You can also help if you 𝗟𝗜𝗞𝗘 & 𝗦𝗛𝗔𝗥𝗘 this post to raise awareness of the work we do.

27/08/2026

𝗖𝗔𝗟𝗟𝗢𝗨𝗧

Even when our team members are away from our operational area, they always take pride in helping to keep people safe and assisting those in need in the mountains.

Recently, one of our team members was on holiday in the Wasdale area. While out on the hills, they came across a person who had become unwell, while out walking. Our team member provided immediate medical care and began assisting the person down from the hill until members of Wasdale Mountain Rescue Team arrived on scene.

The person was then further assessed by Wasdale Mountain Rescue Team and received additional care.

It is always a privilege to work alongside fellow Mountain Rescue teams, wherever we may be. Incidents like this highlight the fantastic work carried out by Mountain Rescue volunteers. A huge thank you to the members of Wasdale Mountain Rescue Team for the fantastic work they do and for their assistance during this incident.

We wish the person involved a full and speedy recovery.

Longtown Mountain Rescue Team is a voluntary organisation who respond to requests from the police for assistance in the Black Mountains of South Wales and Herefordshire for injured and missing people. The Team is on-call 𝟮𝟰 hours a day, 𝟯𝟲𝟱 days a year and relies entirely on donations from members of the public to carry out this essential life-saving rescue service.

You can help with the work we do and support the Team by donating through our page. You can also help if you 𝗟𝗜𝗞𝗘 & 𝗦𝗛𝗔𝗥𝗘 this post to raise awareness of the work we do.

25/08/2026

𝗖𝗔𝗟𝗗𝗜𝗖𝗢𝗧 𝟵𝟵𝟵 𝗘𝗠𝗘𝗥𝗚𝗘𝗡𝗖𝗬 𝗦𝗘𝗥𝗩𝗜𝗖𝗘𝗦 𝗗𝗔𝗬

Last Sunday, we had the pleasure of attending Caldicot Emergency Services Day alongside colleagues from a number of other emergency service agencies.

Our team members had a fantastic time meeting members of the public, demonstrating our equipment and explaining how it is used during search and rescue operations. It was also a great opportunity to talk about the land and water search and rescue services we provide across Monmouthshire, Chepstow and the surrounding areas.

A huge thank you to everyone who came over to say hello, ask questions and learn more about the work we do.

Longtown Mountain Rescue Team is a voluntary organisation who respond to requests from the police for assistance in the Black Mountains of South Wales and Herefordshire for injured and missing people. The Team is on-call 𝟮𝟰 hours a day, 𝟯𝟲𝟱 days a year and relies entirely on donations from members of the public to carry out this essential life-saving rescue service.

You can help with the work we do and support the Team by donating through our page. You can also help if you 𝗟𝗜𝗞𝗘 & 𝗦𝗛𝗔𝗥𝗘 this post to raise awareness of the work we do.

23/08/2026

𝗖𝗔𝗟𝗟𝗢𝗨𝗧

Yesterday at 23:37, the team was contacted by Gwent Police following reports of two walkers who had become disoriented on the Sugar Loaf.

The team made contact with the walkers by phone and was able to establish their location.

A limited response was deployed, with team members travelling in our Toyota Hilux to the area. Following a rapid search of the surrounding paths, the two walkers were located safe and well. They were then driven safely off the Sugar Loaf.

Longtown Mountain Rescue Team is a voluntary organisation who respond to requests from the police for assistance in the Black Mountains of South Wales and Herefordshire for injured and missing people. The Team is on-call 𝟮𝟰 hours a day, 𝟯𝟲𝟱 days a year and relies entirely on donations from members of the public to carry out this essential life-saving rescue service.

You can help with the work we do and support the Team by donating through our page. You can also help if you 𝗟𝗜𝗞𝗘 & 𝗦𝗛𝗔𝗥𝗘 this post to raise awareness of the work we do.

17/08/2026

𝗧𝗥𝗔𝗜𝗡𝗜𝗡𝗚

Yesterday, the team conducted one of its monthly Sunday training sessions. The training was delivered as a realistic callout scenario, with team members responding to reports of a missing person on the Skirrid who was believed to be injured.

Team members were mobilised onto the hill to carry out rapid search techniques, with the aim of locating the missing person as quickly as possible.

Once located, the person was assessed and treated using a range of advanced trauma skills and techniques by our team medics. Before being evacuated from the technical terrain using a range of specialist rope rescue techniques.

The person was then evacuated from the Skirrid using our Lyon Work & Rescue Wheel, a vital piece of equipment that enables us to transport casualties quickly and safely across challenging terrain while allowing our team to continue providing immediate medical care throughout the evacuation.

Training sessions like these allow our team to practise a wide range of essential skills in realistic conditions, helping ensure we remain prepared and ready to respond to any incident we may face.

Longtown Mountain Rescue Team is a voluntary organisation who respond to requests from the police for assistance in the Black Mountains of South Wales and Herefordshire for injured and missing people. The Team is on-call 𝟮𝟰 hours a day, 𝟯𝟲𝟱 days a year and relies entirely on donations from members of the public to carry out this essential life-saving rescue service.

You can help with the work we do and support the Team by donating through our page. You can also help if you 𝗟𝗜𝗞𝗘 & 𝗦𝗛𝗔𝗥𝗘 this post to raise awareness of the work we do.

Address

Unit 9, Union Road Industrial Estate
Abergavenny
NP77RQ

Website

http://www.longtownmrt.org.uk/

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