For over two years now the team has been deliberating and evaluating options for replacing our Catering Trailer, which has been rapidly approaching the end of its working life.

Our existing trailer was self built as a Catering Trailer by the team, and continues to give excellent service on operational searches, standby rescue cover events, larger training exercises and longer running rescue calls, usually ’crewed’ by members of our Support Group. Relatively unique within Mountain Rescue for having such a dedicated Catering Trailer, it has proven to be a valuable team asset over the years, and if the jaded memory of our Team Leader is to be relied upon our current trailer is the third such catering trailer the team has operated since the late 1970s.

Investigations and procurement options led us to consider purchasing a custom built Catering Trailer, and with sufficient finances accrued by the team, numerous companies and trailer retailers were approached.

On Thursday 7th August 2008, Team Catering Officer Sue Purtill, team member Neil Aspinall and our Vice President Tony McNally, visited the premises of Wilkinson Mobile Catering Systems Limited, Campbell street, Preston, where they met the owner of the company, Ken Wilkinson.

They were visiting to view with an option to purchase a reconditioned catering trailer, but such was its quality that it had been sold. After a chat with Ken, an offer was kindly made to the team for a brand new trailer to be bulit of rthe team at a very attractive deal, so good indeed that the order was signed there and then.

Now being built for the team with an anticipated delivery date complete to the team of late September 2008, we have ordered a Wilkinson Travelchef Plus Catering Unit trailer, complete with all fixtures and fittings for the price of £5,555.00.

The catering trailer, as it currently stands, at Wilkinson Mobile Catering Systems.

The team is very grateful to Wilkinson Mobile Catering Systems Limited of Campbell Street, Preston, for all their helpfulness and advice upto our placing the order and for their very kind and very appreciated support of the team.

This will be a fantastic asset to the team when it comes into service, and will offer a great many features we have never had the benefit of having in any of our previous catering trailers.