The Parish Council was approached a number of years ago about the possibility of purchasing a defibrillator for emergency use in the village. At the time the costs (over £1,200) initially made this impossible, however since then other options were explored as the Council believed that it could possibly save somebodies life some day.
A grant fund from the Heart Foundation was found reducing the cost to (£400) if it was made accessible and a number of villagers were trained in the use of CPR. The grant application was successful and the unit was supplied, the training undertaken and it is now installed and available for use if required in an emergency.
The community Defibrillator was normally located centrally in the village – attached to the Black Horse Public house sign post – however due severe weather the Pub signpost had fallen down. The Defibrillator was temporarily located towards the Staindrop end of the village – just past the vicarage and opposite the farm. As the Pub sign post was re-erected with less height it was decided to seek another location – centrally located in the village.
It has now been relocated to the front of the Village Hall with the IDCA kindly supplying the electricity to maintain the unit if full readiness. (see photographs opposite)
If the unit is used it is very important to advise the Parish Council immediately so that new pads can be ordered as they are one time use only.
Two people were the initial Guardians of the Defibrillator (responsible for checking its condition and preparedness on a weekly basis) – those were Councillor Ian Cartwright and Ex Councillor Anthony Tillbrook. Mr Tillbrook ended his Guardianship role when he stepped back from his Parish Council position, however he very kindly continued to cover the cost of electricity to light and charge the Defibrillator unit in its secure container until the pub sign was felled in a storm. It was temporarily relocated at this point to Ian Cartwrights property for a short while but then placed at its current position centrally in the village at the Village Hall.
Alfred Mead stepped up to assist Ian Cartwright with the Guardianship duties when required. Alf has had previous CPR & other First Aid training for his MN work. Alf can be contacted on 01325 732118 or 07772454755 if the defibrillator is required.
Councillor Ian Cartwright, Mr Anth. Tillbrook and many other residents did attend the first CPR training evening in 2017/8 at the Village Hall which was enlightening and useful.
Another training session was carried out in Sept 2022 and was well attended. A big thank you was given to NHS Ambulance for conducting the training session.
In May 2023 Ian Cartwright resigned from the IPC and gave up his duties as a Defib Guardian as he was sadly moving out of the village. Alf has now taken on the primary duties of Guardianship for the defibrillator.
The second Guardian position has bee taken up by Councillor Peter Brown and his contact details have been added to the signage around the village.
TEMPORARY RELOCATION – JANUARY 2025
Due to water ingress into the storage cabinet last week an electrical fault occurred and the Defibrillator has been temporarily relocated to 14 Springwell, Ingleton whilst parts are ordered & repairs are to be made in the very near future.
