P.M. pledges to spread the word

AN IMPRESSED Prime Minister yesterday promised to drum up more business for the Outdoor Training Centre at Glenmore. Lodge.

Mrs Margaret Thatcher, accompanied by her husband Denis, had a short but intensive tour of the centre yesterday morning during her three-day Scottish visit.

After watching instructors and trainees in action, she said: “The work that is done here for young people is remarkable.

“I didn't know about this lodge before I came but I would like it to be more widely known. It is exceptionally good value. It offers a challenge to young people and they meet that challenge. They go away fit and they know how to respond to the lochs and rivers if they have been canoeing or to the mountains and the elements if they have been climbing. They have a tremendous time.

“I am told it is not always full and I really feel it should be full up every week. I understand it is not widely known and I will try and get it more widely known.”

Greeted by Mr Peter Heatly, chairman of the Scottish Sports Council, who administer the lodge, and principal, Mr Andy Anderson, the Thatchers toured the building before being shown round some of the outdoor training sessions

They watched Jane Sonntag scale a rock face with the aid of ropes and were told by instructor Keith Geddes how to take the strain if a roped climber fell.

Instructor Sam Crymble explained the finer points of canoe training and the Thatchers quizzed Flt.-Sgt. Keith Dickinson from the RAf adventure training centre at Grantown after he had manoeuvred his £400 craft through a series of slalom gates. “You are very good at it,” Mrs Thatcher said and there was laughter when Keith replied: “I ought to be, I've been practising all week!”

A team of Boys' Brigade officers from throughout Scotland were being taught emergency drill by instructor Alistair Morgan, who explained to the visitors how climbers could assist an injured colleague who did not require urgent medical treatment or the services of a mountain rescue team. Among them was mechanic William Barber, 50 Rose Avenue, Peterhead, a lieutenant with the 4th Peterhead Coy.

Before parting, Mrs Thatcher presented Willie and his colleagues—who are already qualified to take BB parties into the hills—with mountaincraft certificates at the completion of their week's scholarship course.