ABGS Members of the Bridgend Mountain Rescue Team, circa 1970
(now called the Western Beacons Mountain Search and Rescue Team)
from Nigel Watts
Standing Left to Right : Kevin Thomas 1965-72, Lyndon Greenway 1966-72
and Nigel Watts 1965-72
Kneeling Left to Right : Nigel Jones 1965-72, Mark Bennett 1965-72,
Christopher Greenway 1967-74
Six pupils from the Aberdare Boys Grammar School were interviewed by the Aberdare
Leader (circa 1970) about their role in a mountain rescue which occurred in
the Brecon Beacons. The Aberdare Leader had to liaise with the school to take
them out of lessons for the photograph on the arranged day, as well as being
allowed to bring and change into mountaineering kit. The six pupils shown in
the photograph volunteered their time on the weekends as members of Bridgend
Mountain Rescue Team (now the Western Beacons Mountain Search and Rescue Team).
At the time they were the youngest members in the mountain rescue team. With the team
they subsequently took part in several mountain rescues in the Brecon Beacons, the hills
of South Wales Valleys, North Wales and Scotland.
Some of the original group reunited in 2002 to walk in the Brecon Beacons,
from left to right Chris Greenway, Nigel Watts, Mark Bennett and Nigel Jones
After going their different ways to attend university and take up employment in Britain
and North America they continued their interest in climbing and hiking. Various
members, over the years, have continued to meet up to hike or climb in Wales,
the Peak District, Scotland, USA and even Africa. The friendship of these past
students and their shared interest in mountaineering has endured for almost
fifty years!
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