A Huddersfield man is to be the UK’s new rescue chief.

Mountain Rescue England and Wales, the umbrella organisation for mountain search and rescue teams, has confirmed that Mike France will take over from David Allan as national chairman from May.

Mike, 61, joined his local team, Woodhead Mountain Rescue Team, at the age of 18 and has been an active member for almost 43 years.

He has been involved at a national level for 17 years, most recently as chairman of fundraising.

His incident-packed career featured several major disasters, including the 1988 Lockerbie air crash, the 1989 Kegworth air disaster and the 2007 Sheffield floods.

But he insists he derives as much satisfaction from the camaraderie and feeling of family that comes from working with rescue teams.

Brought up in Longwood, he joined the Woodhead team after developing a love of the outdoors in the Scouts.

“It was an extension of Scouting and I have loved it.

The family of mountain rescue is a close-knit group and over the years, even though we have been involved in some terrible tragedies, like all the emergency services there is usually a good feeling.

“There is a tremendous feeling of relief when you know you have helped someone. I am in the very lucky situation that I know my actions, directly or indirectly, have helped save someone’s life, perhaps that of a vulnerable old man who has wandered off from home.

“I know in my career I have been in the fortunate position of saving lives many times and few people can say that”.

Mike France meets the Duke of Cambridge, patron of rescue organisations
Mike France meets the Duke of Cambridge, patron of rescue organisations

Mike, who is married to Pat and living in the Colne Valley, has recently retired after a career with the National Children’s Centre in Huddersfield.

“I intend to continue my local operational mountain rescue duties in parallel with the new role.

“At the age of 61, I can’t beat a 25-year-old to the top of the hill but that doesn’t mean to say I can’t get there.

“Mind you, I do tend to be back at base as search manager or incident controller.

“I think it’s important to me and to the membership of mountain rescue that I continue to be involved on the practical side and aware of the challenges and issues that arise day to day.”

Mike takes over at a time when the public profile of mountain rescue is high but he recognises that this brings additional pressures and responsibilities to maintain standards and reinforce the best of rescue.

“I joined a voluntary rescue service many years ago and, as chairman of MREW, I intend to continue this volunteering tradition,” he said.

“Support from central government is welcome but that is no reason to become something others think we should be – we need to be in control of our own destiny.

“I have been fortunate to attend meetings with government and our Royal Patron, HRH The Duke of Cambridge. With David, I have worked closely with the leaders of the Prince’s other charities so I am looking forward to building on those relationships in my new role too.”

Woodhead Mountain Rescue members carry the badly injured teenager to North West Air Ambulance helicopter.
Woodhead Mountain Rescue members carry the badly injured teenager to North West Air Ambulance helicopter.