Community commemorate tragic loss that prompted founding of National Park Mountain Rescue

The Shepherd's Cairn at Alnham Shepherds’ Cairn (OSL NT 967127) in memory of Jock Scott and Willie Middlemas

The hill-farming community of Alnham, in Northumberland National Park between Alwinton and Ingram, is preparing to commemorate the tragic deaths of John (Jock) Scott and William (Willie) Middlemas, just half a mile from their remote home at Ewartly Shank on 17th November 1962.

But the sad loss to families and community 45 years ago has since resulted in many lives being saved, because it was this event that led voluntary rangers to set up Northumberland National Park Mountain Rescue – the volunteer organisation that turns out in all weathers to help save lives in remote places throughout the Northumbria Police area. Today the team still includes many National Park rangers.

The anniversary tribute includes a memorial cairn at High Knowes (Shepherds’ Cairn OSL NT 967127) which has been erected by the current generation of Rangers and Mountain Rescue Volunteers at the spot where the two shepherds lost their lives in extreme snow. Shepherds’ Cairn is situated on Alnham Farm owned by John Sordy, whose father farmed the land at the time of the accident, and who has been closely involved in the erection of the Cairn.

A memorial service will take place at the Cairn on Saturday 24th November, led by the Rev. Judy Glover. Participants will meet at St Michael the Archangel Church, Alnham, at 1.30pm for the drive to the Cairn.

Shepherd's panel Shepherd's Cairn information panel

An information panel with the full story and a walking route to the Cairn will be erected near Alnham churchyard to help future visitors understand the significance of the events.

National Park Senior Ranger, Russell Tait, for many years a Mountain Rescue volunteer, said:

“The tragic events of 1962 forged strong links between the community, the emergency services and National Park Voluntary Rangers and set a standard for rescue operations which have stood the region in good stead to this day. He added: “The same spirit has enabled the setting up of the Cairn. Family members, retired shepherds, members of the emergency services and the Mountain Rescue Team have all come together to contribute to this important commemoration.”

Bill Ellis, Team Leader of Mountain Rescue Team said: “Members assisted in the construction of the memorial cairn and we feel that it is a fitting tribute to the memories of the two shepherds lost in this tragic event. The incident led to the involvement of National Park staff in the team that exists today. We are proud to have served the local community for 45 years and we will continue to provide assistance to Northumbria Police 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.”

People who would like to attend the anniversary events are asked to contact Russell Tait or Mark Bolton on Tel: 01669 620414.

Make a donation to the National Park Mountain Rescue Team in memory of Jock and Willie ...

The events of 1962

The winter of 1962-1963 is still remembered as one of the coldest since records began. Jock Scott and Willie Middlemas were making their way home from Rothbury Mart. A blizzard was in force as they dropped off their colleague, Willie Bulloch, at Castle Hill Farm and against better judgement tried to reach home across the moors by tractor towards the remote farmstead of Ewartly Shank At that time, the road from Alnham was just a track and there was no telephone line at the farm.

Two days later (Monday 19th November), Willie Bulloch was out tending his flock and Mrs Scott asked him when she should be expecting Jock. Knowing they’d set out on Saturday, he raised the alarm.

Rescue parties including the Police, RAF, shepherds and farm workers began the search. The tractor was found abandoned and Jock’s body was discovered buried under drifting snow near High Knowes late on the Tuesday. He was only half a mile from home. It was not until the following day that Willie’s body was found only 100 yards away from where Jock had perished.

Newspapers of the day reported on the Alnham storm search and the tremendous rallying of the “big-hearted Cheviots” community to raise funds for the bereaved families.

This area of country can be wild and very exposed in the winter. A hundred years earlier, a plucky Eleanor (Nellie) Herron set off from her workplace at Alnham over the moors to her home at Hartside in the Ingram Valley. She was later found frozen seated on the stone where she had stopped to rest.

Northumberland National Park Mountain Rescue

But it was the fate of two experienced hill men that prompted the creation of a local organisation to help people in distress, with John Weatherall as the first Team leader. Today, the Team is a crucial contributor to the emergency services of the region, with volunteers being called out at least once a week and more often in harsh weather.

Over the years, different people have brought new skills to the Team. Search management now plays a vital role and former Team leaders ( Pete Roberts and Dave Perkins ) have formulated systems of searching which are now used by rescue teams in many countries around the world. A voluntary organisation and registered charity, the NNP Mountain Rescue team is solely funded by contributions and works hard to maintain its stock of vital, up-to-date equipment through donations and sponsorship. More information is available at www.nnpmrt.org.uk.

A rescuer's story

Former police Inspector Jim Thompson knows first hand about the horrendous conditions facing the rescue teams, it was one of his first assignments as a newly qualified police constable.

Jim said: "I was based at Morpeth police station and I vividly remember when we got the call. I went up on the Tuesday just after Jock's body was found and the conditions were arctic.

"The ground was frozen solid, strong blustery winds had blown the drifts level and the snow was very tightly packed. It took us a good hour to get up to the spot and when we did the conditions were extremely difficult to work in as it was so exposed.

"We had nine dogs up there helping with the search as well as RAF Mountain Rescue. The RAF team were using long measuring poles to determine the depths of the drifts as it was almost impossible to tell how far down the actual ground was.

"It wasn't until the sun broke through on the Wednesday morning that the snow started to soften and the dogs picked up the scent. It was a young dog called Rex who found Willie buried under 6ft of snow."

Jim recalls how the community spirit helped spur the rescue teams on: "The whole time we were there the community were extremely helpful and rescuers were given a hot meal by the Sordy family every night, something which everyone really appreciated."

Jim will be paying his respects at the memorial service at the Shepherd's Cairn on November 24.

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Contacts:

Frances Whitehead, Communications Officer
Northumberland National Park Authority
Tel: 01434 611542
communications@nnpa.org.uk

Russell Tait, Senior Ranger
Northumberland National Park Authority
Tel: 01669620414
Mobile: 07795 834934

Richard Holmes, Press Officer
Northumberland National Park Mountain Rescue Team
Tel: 07789 358 926
richard.holmes@newcastle.ac.uk