As we step into 2026, it is time to look back at a landmark year for the Longtown Mountain Rescue Team (LMRT). 2025 was not just a year of high operational demand, but a historic milestone as the team celebrated its 60th anniversary. Since its founding in 1965, the team has evolved from a small group of local enthusiasts into a highly technical, 24/7 emergency service, and last year proved that their expertise is more vital than ever.
A Year in Numbers
In 2025, the team responded to 60 call-outs, a figure that highlights the enduring popularity of our local landscape and a steady trend of increasing activity. Interestingly, while the team’s operational area spans across the Black Mountains and into Herefordshire, the statistics reveal that the vast majority of these incidents occurred within the “Abergavenny Triangle”—the Sugar Loaf, the Skirrid, and the Blorenge. Our callouts were a mix of searching for missing walkers, technical rope rescues on steep ground, and providing complex medical evacuations for those in need of help.
This commitment represents thousands of hours freely given to help keep others safe. Our volunteers contributed more than 10,000 hours over the course of the year. Responding to incidents, completing training, and supporting public events.
Training and Innovation
Behind every successful rescue is an extensive schedule of training and preparation. In 2025, the team placed a heavy emphasis on multi-agency collaboration. Of note was our close work with Gwent Police’s Police Search Adviser (PolSA) team, that honed the search skills required for the steep, wooded, or mountainous terrain found around the Black Mountains..
We also increased our drone capabilities with a core team able to deploy and operate both day and night. The use of drones has become an increasingly vital tool for search operations, allowing the team to cover vast areas of steep ground in a fraction of the time. Water rescue training also remained a priority, ensuring the team is equipped to handle incidents in the region’s rivers and floodwaters. This capability allowed LMRT to provide extensive assistance during the late November flooding.
Looking Ahead: The BBMC 2026
As we close the book on 2025, we look toward our biggest fundraising event: The Big Black Mountain Challenge (BBMC). This event is vital for keeping our team operational.
● Entries Open: February 7th, 2026
● Event Date: May 16th, 2026 Whether you are a seasoned hiker or a casual walker, we invite you to join us on the hills for what promises to be an amazing day out in the beautiful eastern Brecons.
The team remains a registered charity, funded entirely by public donations. As we look ahead, the continued support of the Abergavenny community is what keeps these volunteers on the hillside and is something for which we are extremely grateful. Here is to a safe 2026 on the hills.
Keep Up to Date
You can follow the team’s incredible work and show your support through their social media channels:
● Facebook: www.facebook.com/longtownmrt
● Instagram: @longtownmrt
