Rochdale Ray Mears out to prevent disasters

Want to buy this photo?

Photo: Paul Finnerty

Stanley Mann advises people of Rochdale on how to cope with disasters

Rochdale’s version of Ray Mears has set up a free service to advise people in the town on how to survive in case of a disaster.

50-year-old Castleton resident Stanley Mann offers information on how to cope with a wide range of scenarios, including earthquakes, floods, asteroid strikes, power cuts and even volcanic explosions.

The idea stems from his childhood experiences and a keen interest in the Cold War, about which he is attempting to publish a fiction novel.

“When I was young there were lots of power cuts due to the Miners’ Strikes. We had no lights and had to sit in the dark with candles. So I started to think about it.

“As a kid I had to put a scarf over my face when I left the house because of the dust in the air. They told us it was coal burning but I think it had more to do with volcanoes.

“Then going back ten years I started writing a book about the Cold War. I came across some disturbing facts and thought to myself that something was going to kick off.”

Stanley is a self-employed accountant and also takes photos at weddings. He has no television at home and revealed that he decided to make the most of the spare time he has.

In the disaster prevention document that he has written in recent months he explains how to distil canal water with just a metal saucepan and glass bowl. He also tells how water can be extracted from a birch tree and provides a tool checklist in case of disaster.

Stanley believes that more people should be aware of how to survive in case of emergency, wherever in the world they may be:

“Disasters happen all the time, but they’re not a problem if you know what to do.

“Just look at the United Utilities drought. I have a rain barrel and can last for three or four months without water. You just have to know what to do.

“I started to see all the disasters so I want to help people in Rochdale and give something back.”