36 Years of Service – time to move on.
Malc Needham joined Buxton MRT in 1977 when the team was still in its formative stages of development and after 36 years Malc has decided to enjoy his retirement in the French countryside. Malc and his partner, Christine, have been renovating a farmhouse deep in rural France for several years. Now the project is complete and as retirement frees them from ties to the UK they have decided to emigrate in just a few days.
Malc has served the team with a dedication equalled by very few and has served as a Charity Trustee and an Operational Deputy Leader for many of his 36 years of service. But if that was not enough, his construction knowledge and practical building skills have been called on many times saving the team thousands of £s. Malc has overseen the construction of two team buildings and has had the project lead on the conversion of several operational response vehicles. 
Following training on Thursday 18th July Malc was presented with a “Certificate of Service” and plaque commemorating his time with the team. Team members had also contributed to leaving gift of a framed, professional photograph of the Peak District to remind Malc of his home Country.
Malc had the knack of taking ideas and turning them into reality. He will be sorely missed but all the team members wish him and Christine “The very best of luck and success in their shared retirement.”
Photo: Malc following his last call-out only last Saturday on Jacob’s Ladder. Team Chairman, Roger Bennett, presents Malc with his “Certificate of Service” and a leaving gift. Good luck Malc, we’ll miss you.
7 comments
Sad to see you go Malc, but I hope you and Christine enjoy a long and happy retirement. Good luck mate.
Sad to hear of your retirement. I know you will be sadly missed. I have fond memories of our time together on the team. I remember soon after joining when fellow members were still trying to see if I would fit in you telling them, ( according to inside sources!), “She’s alright. She’ll fit right in.” Thanks for that Malc. Your experience and opinion helped me out many a time and frequently stopped me making a complete idiot of myself. Enjoy France. Enjoy the wine. Enjoy the warmer, drier climate. You deserve a rest now.
All the best Malc, enjoy France but don’t get to bored ????
Malc
your far too young to retire
at this rate i will be the oldest MR in the valley
good luck
A C
Best wishes for the future, don’t hang up your boots!
All the best Malc.
If I remember correctly, after I was conned into being a casualty on an exercise by your brother, you were the very first team member I met. I had been waiting quite a while in a bivvy tent for the ‘rescue’ near Horse stone on Howden moors and because of the peace and quiet had fallen asleep. I distinctly remember jumping about 4 feet into the air when you bellowed “hello, can you hear me” into my earhole, thus shattering my attempt to appear unconscious (and shattering my left eardrum).
That was November 1985 and I have never once regretted that introduction to the team and your good self. I and the team have an immeasurable amount to thank you for.
Good luck.
Congratulaions Malc. Remember me from our first job 40 years ago!!! From your photo in the paper you haven’t changed a bit!!! Wishing you a very happy life in France. Hope you are well. All the best for the future.