CVSRT - News

2015 in Summary

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2015 in Summary

31 Dec 2015

During 2015, Calder Valley Search & Rescue Team has experienced some incredible high points, but sadly we finish the year witnessing first-hand the utter devastation that has ruined so many homes and businesses with the recent floods. No matter what the situation though, one word resonates throughout… ‘COMMUNITY’…and we are proud to be part of this community. On behalf of all the volunteers who make up the team; from supporters, dogsbodies and training casualties, probie members and operational full team members, may we take this opportunity to thank you all for your support over the last twelve months, because without…

Carl the Snail rescued during the Carlisle floods (Dec 2015)

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Get Carl the Snail #Home4Xmas

21 Dec 2015

As some of you may remember, Calder Valley Search & Rescue Team were recently deployed to Cumbria to assist emergency services during the terrible flooding that hit the region at the beginning of December. Whilst evacuating local residents from the streets of Carlisle, our swiftwater rescue team spotted a very special character floating by. He was saved and affectionately named ‘Carl’ before becoming the mascot for the rescue boat. He remained with the boat and returned to the CVSRT base at the end of our deployment. Now the floodwaters have receded, Carl wants to return home. He was found floating along Petterell Street,…

Christmas Collection

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Christmas Collection

19 Dec 2015

On Saturday saw the deployment of the team en masse to the streets in Halifax and Keighley for our annual Christmas Collection to help raise essential funds to keep the team operational. We would like to take this opportunity to say thank you to few individuals who helped throughout the day. Thanks to Christian Scott Hairdressing who supplied water for our Search Dogs and made hot drinks for team members and gave us a box of chocolates towards the end of the day. Thanks also to Liquid Lens, Wright Angle Marketing and Elysium Screens for producing a 10 second digital…

Latest CVSRT Newsletter

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Latest CVSRT Newsletter

14 Dec 2015

In this issue: Callout Reports (Feb – Aug 2015) Fundraising News and Donations Public Events, Visits and Presentations Sainsbury’s Charity of the Year HM Coastguard Helicopter Training Yorkshire Air Ambulance Training Croagh Patrick Reek Sunday Pilgrimage Hot Air Balloon Crash Scenario Our 50th Anniversary Celebration Plans Aim Higher Stoodley Pike Challenge Probationary Training How to support the team Click to view: CVSRT NEWSLETTER Would you like to recieve the CVSRT Newsletter direct to your email inbox? Simply complete the ‘contact us’ form on the homepage and remember to tick the newsletter subscription box, and then we will add you to…

CVSRT assist #CumbriaFloods

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CVSRT assist #CumbriaFloods

06 Dec 2015

CALLOUT UPDATE: CVSRT Swiftwater Rescue Technicians remain in Cumbria to assist local emergency services with the #CumbriaFloods #StormDesmond More details later: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-35019021

Final calendar image

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Final calendar image

01 Dec 2015

It’s December already, which means the final photograph in the CVSRT Fundraising Calendar 2015 is ‘Snow Defender’ featuring Search Dog ‘Meg’. This particular calendar page was sponsored by the Memory Care Store www.memorycarestore.co.uk. Photographed by Anne Farnell, the picture was captured whilst out with CVSRT Chairman Pete Farnell, as he and Meg checked abandoned vehicles to make sure they were unoccupied, during the snowdrifts on Thorney Lane at Midgley, a few years ago. We are pleased to announce that all the vehicles were empty and also all the calendars sold out with a final total raised of £5000. Thanks to…

On this day… 29th November, 1965

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On this day… 29th November, 1965

29 Nov 2015

On this day… 29th November, 1965, Mr. Robert Akrigg, a 55 year old reservoir keeper set out in treacherous conditions to check the water gauges from the Gorple Cottages near Hebden Bridge, but never returned. Water Board employees accompanied by the police, local farmers, estate keepers were joined by Mountain and Fell Rescue Team members from across the north of England to begin the search in earnest. As the week progressed, the search mounted in intensity and by the third day, more than 300 people were searching the moors and stayed from first light until dark without success. With the…

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New CVSRT 50th Anniversary logo

19 Nov 2015

As some of you may be aware, Calder Valley Search and Rescue Team will be celebrating our 50th Anniversary in 2016, and to help mark this very important milestone, we’ve designed a new logo. Inspiration for the CVSRT 50th logo came from the original 1966 Calder Valley Moorland Rescue badge and will be adopted by the team during the year. Our aim throughout 2016 is to:• Remember our origins, previous members and incidents• Celebrate team successes and achievements• Reinforce our commitment to the community through training and education• Raise funds for the future• Celebrate and have some fun! We hope…

Todmorden Brownies Visit

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Todmorden Brownies Visit

19 Nov 2015

Yesterday, four CVSRT members spent the evening visiting the 7th Todmorden Brownies who had expressed interest in learning about the team as they are working towards their ‘Out and About’ Badge. Firstly the pack watched a Mountain Rescue DVD and then had the opportunity to get some hands-on experience with the fell party kit and our vacuum mattress. The Brownies were given instruction on; how to dress appropriately for walking and rambling, how to pack a rucksack, what precautions they should take against being caught out in bad weather or in darkness without a torch. A fun evening with some…

MREW release a new 60 seconds fundraising film

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MREW release a new 60 seconds fundraising film

29 Oct 2015

Mountain Rescue England and Wales (MREW) have released a new 60 second fundraising film. Please take the time to watch the video here https://youtu.be/TnomkwKoM3k or view the full 6minute version and support MREW if you can. Remember you can support CVSRT directly simply visiting our ’Support Us’ page: http://www.cvsrt.org.uk/support-us Thanks for helping us to help you.

MPSRO regional Water First Responder Course

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Wet and Wild(ish) by Jacques Crowther (CVSRT Probie)

25 Oct 2015

The weekend of the 10th of October saw the first MPSRO regional Water First Responder course. Principally organised by CVSRT members, with hosting and additional tuition from Rossendale and Pendle MRT and team members from Bolton, Calder Valley and Rossendale & Pendle in attendance. Conscious of a global trend towards more extreme weather events and having been called upon to assist during the flooding of recent years, Mountain Rescue Teams nationally have begun to ensure that they are properly trained and equipped to meet the challenges of operating in flood and swift water environments. Every member of a mountain rescue…

900th Incident

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900th Incident

12 Oct 2015

CVSRT reach 900th Callout… On Friday 9th October at 10pm, CVSRT received a callout from West Yorkshire Police to provide assistance to Yorkshire Ambulance Service (YAS) with a driver who had taken a wrong turn and ended up getting stuck down a very steep and narrow, dead end unmade road. Whilst the driver was unhurt in the incident, he was actually in considerable pain following a recent back operation. Therefore, due to his awkward location, the YAS crew requested help to safely evacuate the driver back to the main road. Once on-scene, team members used Mobile 3 as an anchor…

New Addition

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New Addition

12 Oct 2015

Calder Valley Search & Rescue Team (CVSRT) are very happy to announce that a new addition will start training shortly, in the hope of eventually joining the team! ‘Wynn’, a 10 week old Border Collie bitch, with her owner and handler David Warden from Shibden Valley, Halifax, will start almost immediately the training for mountain rescue search work. The training, which is expected to take about 2 years is undertaken to the standards of the Search and Rescue Dog Association. David, has been a member of CVSRT and Search And Rescue Dog Association England for 20 years and ‘Wynn’ is…

Brit Rock success

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Brit Rock success

14 Oct 2015

Well, we think you can safely say that the Brit Rock Film Tour 2015‬ was officially launched last night with a capacity crowd of nearly 500 attending the Hebden Bridge Picture House and enjoying 3 beautifully unique and visually stunning films. They were absolutely outstanding. Firstly, CVSRT would like to thank Alastair Lee for choosing us to launch the tour and to screen the world premiere of ‘Citadel’. We would also like to thank Matt Helliker for flying in especially for the night and to Claire Jane Carter for embellishing the evening. Cheers to all the companies and individuals who…

Calder Valley Search & Rescue Team at Emmerdale Film Set

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Calder Valley Search & Rescue Team at Emmerdale Film Set

09 Oct 2015

Whilst most of our CVSRT members and supporters were at the cinema yesterday, several other members were enjoying their 15seconds of fame on the small screen during last nights episode of Emmerdale on ITV. So how many of you eagle-eyed buffs spotted Calder Mobile 2 (Land Rover 110) on-screen during the scrambling incident involving Pete, Finn and Andy? If not, here’s your chance to see it again via the ITV Player: https://www.itv.com/itvplayer/emmerdale/08-10-2015-1

Hardcastle Crags

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Hardcastle Crags

26 Sep 2015

In-between callouts this week, CVSRT received an unexpected telephone call from someone wishing to make a donation to the team. Last year, whilst out walking at Hardcastle Crags, a lady had slipped and tumbled down the banking sustaining a head injury in the process. At the time, 15 team members responded to the scene and once assembled placed the casualty onto our stretcher and carried her gently up the steep bank and to the waiting ambulance. Incident 818 (1/7/2014): http://www.cvsrt.org.uk/incidents/incident-818/ CVSRT would like to thank the lovely lady for her generous donation and glad she made a full recovery.

Sainsbury's (Wade Street Halifax), Charity of the Year

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Sainsbury's (Wade Street Halifax), Charity of the Year

25 Aug 2015

It is with great pleasure that we can now announce that the grand total raised from the team being chosen as the Sainsbury's (Wade Street Halifax), Charity of the Year is…£10,678.04. CVSRT would like to take this opportunity to say a huge thank you to all the Sainsbury’s colleagues at the Halifax store for their continued support and enthusiasm, and most importantly, a massive thank you to all the generous shoppers who have donated throughout the year. This incredible amount is the culmination of: collection buckets on every check-out till, three fundraising days at the store, proceeds from a Quiz…

Kilimanjaro Challenge

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Kilimanjaro Challenge

30 Jul 2015

Drew Whitworth, who lives in Hebden Bridge, recently contacted the team to say he had a great idea to help raise funds for Calder Valley Search & Rescue Team. Obviously we were intrigued to find out more!! On the 28th July, his epic journey began to climb Kilimanjaro - the highest mountain in Africa (19,340ft/5,895m) and he expects to reach the summit on 2nd August. He also hopes to raise £1500 from the challenge, which will be donated to CVSRT. Drew said, “Having spent a considerable amount of time walking in remote places, I’m well aware that being prepared with the right…

Dementia Friendly

18 May 2015

On Saturday May 9th, Calder Valley Search & Rescue Team members were at the official launch of 'Dementia Friendly Todmorden'. The group, which aims to provide help for those who have been diagnosed with the condition and their families, hosted a special event at Todmorden Town Hall with a range of exhibitors on-hand to answer questions and provide helpful advice. Top QC Cherie Blair CBE, was one of the guest speakers. Cherie's father (and actor) Tony Booth, lives in Todmorden with his wife Steph, and has the condition. Other speakers included Mark Burns-Williamson, Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner…

Welcome to the Team

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Welcome to the Team

05 Mar 2015

Recently, after completing a gruelling training programme, the probationary team members finally faced their assessment weekend. Designed as a test of stamina and aptitude, they spent 24hrs putting the last 15 months of training to the test. Experienced members of both CVSRT and Dublin-Wicklow Mountain Rescue Team (who came over especially to help) guided the 5 intrepid members through a variety of scenarios involving medical, trauma, rope work and navigation pushing them to their limits. We are pleased to announce they performed extremely well in what can only be described as ‘testing’ weather conditions! So from all at CVSRT we’d…

Water Awareness Training

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Water Awareness Training

23 Jan 2015

Even in the depths of winter, CVSRT are out and about training and developing new skills as we never know when our services will be required to rescue someone in wild and remote places. Last weekend was no different with several CVSRT members heading down to the river at Hardcastle Crags to attend a Water Awareness Training Session [Module 1], delivered by our qualified Swiftwater Rescue & Flood Technicians inline with the national MREW guidelines. Once briefed and fully kitted up with the necessary protective equipment for the wintery conditions, the team members entered the water. The group experienced several…

40 Years of Mountain Rescue

24 Nov 2014

Last Tuesday was our regular monthly vehicles and kit maintenance evening. Nothing untoward there you may think but for one of our long serving members, it marked 40 years unbroken service with Calder Valley Search & Rescue Team. Pete Farnell joined the team on 24th November 1974 as a young lad, aged 20. Through the years he has held numerous key roles from; Radio Officer to Team Leader to our current Team Chairman. Most recently, Pete is also a Search And Rescue Dog Association England Search Dog handler with ‘Meg’, his trusty sidekick. As you can imagine, 40 years service…

BRIT ROCK Film Tour 2014

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BRIT ROCK Film Tour 2014

04 Oct 2014

CVSRT hosts BRIT ROCK FILM TOUR 2014 (Thu 6th Nov) FILM CERTIFICATE (TBC asap) Join us for an, adrenalin filled evening to help raise funds for Calder Valley Search and Rescue Team. This is a charity event hosted by CVSRT with all proceeds going to the team. Multi award-winning filmmaker Alastair Lee presents the Brit Rock Film Tour on the big screen. The first homegrown adventure tour to emerge from the vibrant UK filmmaking industry. BRIT ROCK comes right from the heart of the UK adventure scene, with liberal splashes of the inimitable British spirit. Adding to the program are…

Sleep, who needs it?

22 Sep 2014

Some Rescue Team members have had a challenging week this week as several night time calls resulted in a loss of beauty sleep. Here is how it all developed; 03:17 am on Monday 15th September and the Team Leaders were called to assist Halifax Police with a search for a male who had left the scene of a car accident. Damage to the vehicle and the location suggested the young man may have been injured and could be in fields or woods nearby. Leaders attended Halifax Police station to support the investigation and make search plans. Fortunately the man was…

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Calendar

06 Sep 2014

After nine months of hard work and numerous long sessions spent on location in and around the Calder Valley, the time has finally arrived to announce that our first ever CVSRT Calendar is due for release next week. The theme for the calendar was inspired by the Mountain Rescue motto, “Saving lives in wild and remote places…” and thankfully not by the ‘Calendar Girls’ – so therefore, we can also confirm the Team WILL be keeping their clothes on!! CVSRT would like to take this opportunity to thank Tony (Hanners) Hanranhan, our main photographer on this project, who volunteered his…

Sainsbury's "Charity of the Year"

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Sainsbury's "Charity of the Year"

27 Aug 2014

Calder Valley Search & Rescue Team is very proud to announce that we have been selected to be Sainsbury's Halifax ‘Charity of the Year’ and receive a year’s worth of support through fundraising and awareness. Sainsbury's ‘Local Charity’ Scheme is now in its 6th year, and has raised over £6million to support local charities since 2009. Halifax Store Manager, Simon Noble said: “We’ve had a great response this year from both customers and colleagues alike, who were asked to vote in-store and online for their favourite local charity. Calder Valley Search & Rescue Team proved to be the most popular…

Croagh Patrick

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Croagh Patrick

18 Aug 2014

Reek Sunday - Sunday 27th July, 2014 - A Probies Perspective “It’ll be a real eye opener” they said…Well, I have never seen anything that could have prepared me for what I saw on a cold dark morning on the west coast of Ireland. Normally shrouded in mist and blasted by the Atlantic, Ireland’s “holy mountain”, Croagh Patrick isn’t a pretty thing to look at nor is it a particularly pleasant climb, but that wasn’t going to stop 20,000 people pilgrimage up it from midnight on Sunday 27th July, 2014. In attendance we had three of the ‘CVSRT Probies’ intake;…

Tyre Clean Up

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Tyre Clean Up

27 Jun 2014

Calder Valley Search & Rescue Team have once again been working hard on behalf of other agencies to clean up some of our beautiful countryside. Yorkshire Water and Calderdale Council requested our assistance and technical expertise to remove an illegal deposit of tyres and other rubbish, which had been tipped and were blighting our moorland. Initial estimates of 80 to 100 tyres were soon surpassed as the team set to work. An eventual haul of over 200 tyres and a van full of other debris was soon retrieved. It was a filthy job, with the dreaded midge ever present but…

El Gato Negro

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El Gato Negro

26 Jun 2014

Calder Valley Search & Rescue Team is absolutely delighted to announce the launch of a new fundraising campaign by the award winning Spanish Tapas restaurant, El Gato Negro Tapas based in Ripponden. The initiative aims to raise awareness and much needed funding for the team. The campaign, which launched this week encourages an optional donation from all diners and will help the team to continue to provide the essential life-saving emergency services to the local community and visitors whilst out and about in our operational area. Headed up by chef and proprietor Simon Shaw, El Gato Negro is an award-winning…

Long Service Awards

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Long Service Awards

20 Jun 2014

Pictured: Team Leader Les Wilson presents Mick and Hilary Newsome with their 25 Years' Long Service Awards. As some of you may know, CVSRT have been saving lives in wild and remote places since 1966…and whilst Mick & Hilary Newsome haven’t been team members for so long, it still seems fitting to mark their 25 years’ service with an award. Husband and wife team, Mick and Hilary received the 25 years Long Service Award at a recent team business meeting. When asked how things had changed over the years, they reflected with fondness how they got involved with CVSRT and…

Commendation Award

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Commendation Award

20 Apr 2014

It was a case of double delight for members of the team as we were commended and given a cheque by the West Yorkshire Police. Pictured left to right - Team members John, Ann, Pete, Les & Bryan attended the annual Calderdale Police Awards to accept the District Commander’s Commendation for the life-saving voluntary work carried out during last year’s snow storms. And, just as important for the teams’ volunteers the police presented team members with a cheque for £2,000 which will help significantly with the annual £35,000 running costs. Team leader Les Wilson said: “The award makes us feel…

Supporter Appeal

07 Feb 2014

Calder Valley Search and Rescue Team are currently seeking to enlist the help of more 'active' supporters to assist the team. We are looking for people who have some time to spare to provide active support to the team with the various demands including: fundraising, maintenance, assisting with training and general practical support - people who can be our ambassadors at the many local community events we are requested to attend and support each year. If you are interested and think this may be for you, please visit our supporters page and get in touch. We are organising an open…

New Team Leader

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New Team Leader

02 Feb 2014

A new Team Leader for Calder Valley Search & Rescue Team. After 5 years as Team Leader of Calder Valley Search & Rescue Team, Al Day (pictured right) is handing over the reins and responsibility for the team to his deputy, Les Wilson. Al said, “When I moved to the Calder Valley team in 1999 from Oldham Mountain Rescue Team, CVSRT were responding to around 20 incidents per year and operated two response vehicles from the newly built Mytholmroyd base. Fifteen years later, the team has undergone a dramatic transformation; responding to over four times as many incidents with 4…

Newsletters - Last 4 editions

November 2015

February 2015

Summer 2014

February 2014

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© 2014 Calendar photography by Hanners www.hanrahanphotography.co.uk
© 2015 All other photography remains the property of Calder Valley Search & Rescue Team.