Three rescued at poignant Pots and Pans remembrance service

Rev John Rosedale, who retired in March after 12 years as a vicar in Saddleworth, officiated at the fabled Pots and Pans Memorial service yesterday (Sunday), due to the illness of Rev Canon Sharon Jones.

However, a 25-strong squad from Oldham Mountain Rescue Team were also alerted to three separate casualties while they were attending the service at the iconic Pots and Pans site.

The casualties had collapsed with complaints of dizziness or lightheadedness, plus one man who had badly cut his finger on a fence.

After assessments by the team’s Casuality Carers, assisted by a doctor who was at the service, one casualty walked off the hill in the care of his family.

Another was walked off by the team for assessment by North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust, and the third was carried down on the team’s stretcher to a second North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust ambulance.

The casualty with a finger injury was treated at the scene and then continued on his walk.

Said the OMRT leader Rob Tortoiseshell: “Huge thanks to the doctor who assisted with the casualty, as well as all the other bystanders who offered help.

"As ever, we wish all the casualties our best wishes for speedy recoveries.”

The team were involved for just over one hour and 30 minutes.

Meanwhile, popular cleric Rev Rosedale later revealed although he had been chaplain to the local branch of Royal British Legion for almost all of the past 12 years, he had not been ‘up the hill’ as a member of the congregation or to officiate.

After hosting the poignant service which saw hundreds throng to the hillside above the villages, he said: “What a year to go up!

"The sun was shining, everyone appeared to be in a good mood, and coats, hats and scarves were being removed as people climbed upwards.

“Without the help of our local council, community organisations and individuals this service of remembrance would not take place.

“I’d been warned there could be a lot of noise: was it the sunshine and warmth that brought everyone together or the playing by the Dobcross Brass Monkey’s?

“The music that filled the air instead of being blown away on the wind seemed to be appreciated by all those present, and the laying of wreaths was undertaken by people of many ages with one wreath being handmade by a young boy and placed on the memorial by him and his mother.

“I feel honoured to have been asked to lead this service, and to have been part of something very special that, at 1200ft above sea level, perhaps only the people of Saddleworth can do so well.”

On a personal note he said he had time to reflect on his own time in the Royal Air Force, the work of the Royal British Legion and the annual Poppy Appeal.

Rev Rosedale added:“Speaking to ex-servicemen and women who’ve experienced front-line fighting I have never heard a glamorisation of war or an attempt to celebrate it and, I think that as we see the horrors of war on our TV screens, more and more of us understand the impact on civilians in war torn cities and villages and are therefore remembering them whilst also remembering those in the armed services who have given their lives.

“I don’t think there’ll ever be a pink poppy, but one day I believe there will be a red and white poppy wreath laid at both Pots ‘n Pans, in our churches and village memorials.

“After all, if there’s a commitment to peace and hope for a peaceful future, there should be a coming together of the white and red poppies.”

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