Brecon Mountain Rescue Team – where it all started...

The origins of mountain rescue in the UK can be traced back to the early 1900s, when several tragic incidents in mountainous areas showed the need for dedicated rescue teams. Brecon Mountain Rescue Team was founded in 1968, following a search for a missing walker in the western Brecon Beacons.

That search, led by local people including George Batten, Eric Bartlett, David Newman, and Peter ‘Poj’ Rowlands, showed how a small, well-trained team can make a significant difference. From their efforts, BMRT was born — built on the principles of knowledge, teamwork and community spirit.

In their earliest days, the team operated from the boot of a Triumph Herald car, carrying just a few ropes, stretchers and first aid supplies. The first official vehicle — an ex-GPO pole wagon bought for £350 and funded by a member’s personal loan — marked the start of a long tradition of community fundraising, which remains vital today.

Our first proper base was at Plas Pencelli Outdoor Education Centre. We moved to Ffrwdgrech Industrial Estate in 1991and in 2024 opened our new purpose-built headquarters on the same site — a modern facility funded entirely through grants, public donations and a decade of fundraising. The new base is also a valuable resource for local community groups.

In the early days we responded to around 15 call-outs a year. That’s now risen to around 120. Today, our volunteers continue a proud tradition of service, commitment and community support that has lasted for more than half a century.