Bill Batson served in the RAF for 27 years, for 26 of which he was a member of the RAF Mountain Rescue Service. He served as MR Team Leader at Leeming and Leuchars and as Chief Instructor to the RAF MRS for the last 5 years of his service, before leaving in April 2004. Bill is a member of the Cave Rescue Organisation in the Yorkshire Dales and graded his second Search and Rescue Dog Association dog - Fern - in January 2006. With his first dog, Kyle, he was awarded the SARDA Shield for the best Novice Dog in January 2000. Bill has climbed all over the world and has caved at home and abroad. He holds the Mountaineering Instructors Certificate and Cave Leader Level 2 awards in addition to being a qualified First Aid Instructor.
Team Training
Dave Gallivan has over 40 years experience of caving and is a nationally qualified Caving Instructor (CIC). He has lived in the Yorkshire Dales for over 30 years and has an extensive knowledge of the local cave systems. As well as the British Isles, he has caved all over the world including Europe and Vietnam.
Dave also holds a MLTB Mountain Walking Leaders Award. He has a vast experience of walking both locally, in other areas in the British Isles and most recently to the summit of Mount Cotopaxi in Ecuador, the highest active volcano in the world!
Since an early age Dave has been involved in Cave & Fell Rescue Teams in the Dales. He has been an Underground Controller and now is a Duty Controller. Through his work with the teams and living and working locally he has built up an invaluable knowledge of the area both underground and above.
We can provide the right people to guide you through your time with us, from our large pool of specialist guides.
Key team members include:
Steve Finch brings together formal business background and training with a strong grounding in outdoor activities.
Steve is qualified with the Chartered Institute of Marketing and Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (Health & Safety), he has owned and managed a number of businesses - including KarstMedia (Karst Ltd - www.karst.co.uk).
Three years as a manager with South Lakeland District Council's Economic Development team has added an understanding of the issues faced by the public sector.
Steve works with Local Government, Regional Development Agencies & Tourist Boards - linking regeneration activities with Community & Business 'Change Management' issues.
Steve's outdoor credentials stretch over many years and include Controller with the Cave Rescue Organisation, Dinghy Racing at International level and as a qualified Diver with the British Sub Aqua Club.
01729 824455