If you’re looking for a challenge that’s a bit different, here’s an idea...“Bearing Up!” is an adventure in a straight line. Conceived by CVSRT member Paul Taylor, the concept is simple… to complete a set of wild challenges following difficult lines across the landscape. The challenge is open to anyone with suitable skills and experience and it is hoped that this might ‘bear fruit’ for the benefit of Mountain Rescue in England and Wales and Scotland teams. For those unfamiliar with the term, ‘bearing’ is the direction or position of something, or the direction of movement, relative to a fixed point. It…

It’s safe to say that we are blessed with some wonderful scenery around our operational area, and now the summer holidays are in full flow we hope you are making the most of the great outdoors. There are many ways to explore the stunning countryside, and whether you're walking, climbing, running or cycling, the landscape is inspiring, but can also be hazardous. Here are several tips to keep you safe whilst you’re out and about, and before you even set off from home. Before you start and throughout the day, eat well and remain hydrated to keep your energy levels…

As well as training, fundraising, attending public events and assisting the emergency services with searches and rescues, CVSRT members are often invited along to youth groups and schools to talk about the voluntary work we do within the community and to demonstrate some of the emergency equipment and rapid response vehicles we use. Recently Hove Edge Scout Group kindly invited several team members along to one such event based at Hove Edge Scout Hut. As you can see from these photos, it was a great evening and the perfect opportunity for the girls and boys from Brighouse with some parents…

** Statement on the BBC from the young lady who was involved in 50ft car fall on Sunday evening. ** By Nick Wilmshurst, BBC Yorkshire Live Reporter A woman who had to be rescued after her car rolled down a 50ft ravine near the M62 in West Yorkshire at the weekend says she wants to thank "the amazing people" who rescued her.Rochelle Garner, from Ripponden, West Yorkshire, lost control of her car on Sunday on the A672 near to Junction 22 of the M62 as she was following her partner in the car in front. She said: "It veered off the…

During last week’s monthly maintenance evening, CVSRT members were very pleased to welcome three guests along to The Rescue Post in Mytholmroyd. The first of our visitors were Wilma Downs and Jeni Wetton representing Hebden Bridge WI, who called in to meet the team and present a cheque for an incredible £1200. CVSRT President Bob Uttley MBE was on-hand to gratefully accept the very generous donation, which will go directly towards helping upgrade the teams radio equipment. Many thanks also to Matthew Harding from Calderfornia Clothing, pictured here with CVSRT Treasurer Matt Greaves. Matthew recently raised £450 from the sale…

WARNING: CUTENESS ALERTCalder Valley Search and Rescue Team (CVSRT) are very happy to announce that a new addition will start training very shortly in the hope of eventually joining the team!! 11weeks old Springer Spaniel ‘Orion’ with his owner and handler CVSRT Gary Smith from Todmorden, have dived straight into training which is expected to take approximately 2years to achieve the standard set by the Search and Rescue Dog Association. The pup has three distinct markings on his back that look similar to the stars in the constellation of ‘Orion’s Belt’. Orion is also known as ‘The Hunter’ in Greek…

“The greatest danger in life is not to take the adventure.” George Leigh Mallory Next month, two members of Calder Valley Search and Rescue Team are swapping the Pennines of Calderdale for the Pennine Alps and challenging themselves to climb a truly iconic mountain - The Matterhorn. This huge and near-symmetrical pyramidal peak in the Monta Rosa area of the Pennine Alps is 4,478metres (14,692 ft) high, making it one of the highest summits in the Alps and Europe.  Whilst Jacques and Rich are both competent climbers, it is still a daunting climb as they intend to make their way…

It is with great pleasure we can announce that our president of 23years, Mr Robert (Bob) Uttley has been named in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List, and will be awarded the M.B.E. for services to the community in Calder Valley and Todmorden, West Yorkshire. Bob, who is a retired chartered accountant and financial director, has been a stalwart supporter for the local community for many years with strong connections to various organistions in Todmorden including; the Choral Society, St Mary’s Church Choir and Walking Groups and is a keen Walsden and Todmorden cricket follower. He was also the captain at…

On 27th January 2017, Calder Valley Search and Rescue Team was alerted by Yorkshire Ambulance Service to an incident [Incident 990] involving a 21yo mountain biker who had fallen off his bike whilst riding near Otley Chevin sustaining chest and shoulder injuries. 17 team members were available to respond immediately and made their way in team vehicles or directly to the casualty’s location. Once on-scene, team members quickly packaged the injured rider in a vacuum mattress and transferred him to the ambulance nearby for onward journey to hospital. After the team hands over the casualty to the ambulance service our…

Calder Valley Search and Rescue Team are very pleased to announce that we have been shortlisted for the ‘Local Charity of the Year 2017’ scheme at Sainsbury’s Brighouse and at the convenience store in Mytholmroyd. Each Sainsbury’s supermarket and convenience store has shortlisted a maximum of three charities to put forward for the customer vote. Customers can vote online by visiting: www.sainsburyslocalcharity.co.uk or via the in-store voting system. Vote online by… 1. Visiting: www.sainsburyslocalcharity.co.uk 2. Searching: 'Brighouse' and 'Mytholmroyd' 3. Voting: Calder Valley Search and Rescue Team4. Sharing and Telling: All your family and friends!   Or you can vote at your local supermarket…

Back in 2015, an author called Cathy Dyson contacted the team asking for assistance with a book she was writing. We were happy to help and provided some advice on how to remain safe whilst out exploring the remote regions of the countryside, and also what to do in the event of an emergency and you require urgent medical assistance. In return for our contribution, Cathy is kindly donating a percentage to CVSRT from the sale of the book. ‘Navigate your way around… South Pennines’ has now been published and is available to purchase online. >CLICK HERE< About the bookThe South…

Special thanks go to Calderfornia Clothing for donating all profits to CVSRT from the sale of their “Welcome to Calderfornia” t-shirt. T’s are selling fast with only a few left so email calderfornication@gmail.com for availability and more details.

On Sunday (21st May), CVSRT provided safety cover for the annual Calderdale Way Relay, which is organised by Halifax Harriers AC and is generally attended by over 1000 club runners from across the country. At 09:15, team members were called to assist a runner who had fallen and sustained a dislocated shoulder. (See Incident 1014). The runner received pain relief whilst his injury was dealt with. Whilst dealing with this first incident, team members were made aware of a second incident where a runner had fallen against a barbed wire fence sustaining minor wounds to a hand. Later in the…

Calder Valley Search and Rescue Team are the latest group in the District to benefit from money returned under the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA). The district’s Partnership Funding Team bought 10 specialist harnesses using money seized from criminals. The harnesses were presented to the Equipment Officer Richard Smith and Deputy Team Leader Jonathan Cole from CVRST at Halifax Police Station. Superintendent Vince Firth said; “We are delighted to be able to support Calder Valley Search and Rescue Team through money that has been taken from criminals under the Proceeds of Crime Act. This money is going directly back to…

Last week, CVSRT welcomed relatives of founder team member Will Sutcliffe to The Rescue Post.  Will was a well respected member of the team and sadly passed away recently. He always followed the team with interest and often attended business meetings and our AGM. One of his two daughters, Hazel Stobbs, and his grand daughter Rosie attended our base last Tuesday to present the team with the proceeds of a collection from his funeral (almost £500).  In addition to this, Rosie recently came third in a National Bouldering Competition in Reading, and has donated her prize of a £20.00 DMM…

Specialist training for the Calder Valley Search and Rescue Team is a weekly requirement to maintain the essential skills needed to operate safely as an effective emergency response service. Whilst we are all volunteers, team members are highly trained to guidelines set by Mountain Rescue England & Wales (MREW). At the heart of these guidelines is a set of 10 core skills, which ensures a high level of capability, but also a respect for personal and team safety as well as the care for the casualty. Skills include; search and rescue planning and management, specialist medical treatment, technical steep ground…

Following an information evening attended by 25 people on 17th January, 12 arrived on Saturday for a hill assessment in the hope of gaining a place as one of this year's trainee members. The day started with a check of personal hill kit followed by a quick ascent of Daisy Bank to warm everyone up. The candidates were split into small groups with 5 operational team members and set off into the wind and rain to demonstrate their navigation and hill skills. All groups met at Withens Clough reservoir at lunchtime and were treated to well deserved pies, cakes and…

On the evening of Friday 20th January, five nervous but excited CVSRT Probationary Members arrived at the Mytholmroyd base to find out what the weekend entailed. This was a date that we had been working towards since joining the team 12 months ago. We had spent all day racking our brains as to what potential scenarios were in store for us. As it turned out, we were no wiser other than our Proby Training Officer, Al Day saying, “Grab a full fell party kit, load into the vehicle and follow me”. As we headed towards Burnley and proceeded to join…

This weekend saw our current Probationary Members (2016-17) take their final assessment - a non-stop 24hr test of attitude, aptitude and ability – the perfect opportunity for our five ‘probies’ to demonstrate what they have learnt. CVSRT would like to thank Bowland Pennine Mountain Rescue Team (BPMRT) for their excellent hospitality this weekend and assistance with putting the probies through their paces. During their assessment in Gisburn Forest Bike Trail, the teams came across an injured biker who required assistance for a shoulder injury, and later they were called to another incident on the trails to assist North West Ambulance…

On Monday evening, CVSRT had a visit to The Rescue Post from members of the Halifax Freemasons (De Warren Lodge) who enjoyed a slideshow presentation and talk about the team, followed by a demonstration of rescue equipment we use. De Warren Lodge member David Whitteron, thanked the team for a charming evening and presented CVSRT Deputy Leader, Jonathan Cole with a donation of £1000, which was gratefully accepted on behalf of CVSRT. After the visit, team members and their guests retired to the Shoulder of Mutton in Mytholmroyd for refreshments.

We are delighted to announce that CVSRT member Jonothan Wright completed the Montane Spine Race Mountain Rescue Challenge in 3rd place, finishing in 36hrs 38mins 36secs. What a fantastic result and incredible achievement – Very well done. Commiserations to CVSRT member, Howard Barton, who retired at Gargrave due to a leg injury sustained near East Marton. He had completed 71miles in 31hrs 58mins 22secs and was in high spirits, but made the wise decision to retire rather than continue and cause serious damage. Excellent effort Howard. CVSRT would like to thank everyone who supported the runners and donated to their…

Earlier in 2016, Vocation Brewery kindly launched a limited cask ale called ‘Search & Rescue’ to mark our 50th Anniversary and to help fundraise for the team. Yesterday, the team gratefully received a cheque for £805.00 from sales of the ale. Many thanks to John Hickling and the Vocation Brewery staff for their fantastic support. This generous donation will go towards purchasing some waterproof radios. Cheers!

With the sounds of the flood sirens heard recently in the Calder Valley, we are all constantly reminded of the risk of flooding remains real. CVSRT remains vigilant, always prepared ready to deploy when and wherever needed. Our commitment to the safety of the community is paramount and we endeavour to continue to increase our water rescue capabilities. This has been made possible by the continued support and generous donations from the community, local organisations and private companies throughout the Calder Valley. Thanks to this fantastic support, our water rescue team has managed to train three new Swift Water Rescue…

On Saturday 19th December, CVSRT members and supporters were out on the streets of Halifax and Keighley for our annual Christmas Collection to help raise funds to keep the team operational. The weather was kind to us and remained dry although chilly at times, but your heart-warming messages of support and very generous donations were gratefully received throughout the day in both towns with a grand total £2941.91 raised. Please accept our sincere thanks and we wish you all a Wonderful Safe Christmas and Happy New Year.Thank you.CVSRT If you missed supporting the team and search dogs on Saturday, you…