It’s safe to say that the last few days have been busy for CVSRT and fellow rescue teams across the country with members working around the clock in shifts to provide support for the emergency services, local councils and associated agencies during the challenging weather extremes everyone has experienced and in some remote areas is still experiencing. It is worth remembering that the team is a charity funded entirely by donations with all team members volunteering their time freely. In most cases, members have full time jobs and families to support, as well as juggling their commitment to the rescue…

High Brown Knoll, 21:30hrs “Calder Control; this is 'Exercise Charlie One' requesting an exercise helimed for a subject with a suspected MI at grid reference Sierra Echo 0098 3042. Over.”“Control to Exercise Charlie One, Helimed 99 is en route to your location. ETA 30 minutes. Over”“Control, just to confirm; actual Helimed 99 en route, not an exercise helimed? Over.”“Correct, prep a landing site. Out.” This was the point our evening suddenly became interesting. Tasked with finding four overdue Scouts and their leader, we’d trudged our way through the snow up to the trig point following their planned route. Our casualties…

There’s no denying that Calder Valley Search and Rescue Team (CVSRT) wouldn’t exist without volunteers and during last year we received over 30 applications from members of the community wishing to join the team as operational full team members. These aspirant candidates went through a three-stage selection process (application form, open evening and a hill skills assessment), to check their suitability to progress onto our training programme. It is with great pleasure that we welcome Nicola, Matthew, James (back row), Trisha and Emily (front row), and Steve (not pictured) as our new trainees for 2018-19. We wish you every success…

It’s customary at this time of year to look back at the year that’s just past, but as the saying goes ‘only look back to see how far you’ve come’. With this in mind we’ve asked our longest serving operational members to reflect on their time in the team…(so far!) Clive Green (47.5yrs service), “In the early days our callouts were usually missing person searches and with about five callouts a year plus we only trained once a month at weekends – so the team today is unrecognizable. Anyone considering joining the team should be prepared to put in a…

Huge thanks to Nat West, Halifax, who chose our team as their charity of the year for 2017. They raised money through various activities such as a static Tour de Yorkshire, cake and book sales, and collecting loose change from their customers. In total, they managed to raise a grand total of £1746.99.

It’s that time of year again! Calder Valley Search and Rescue Team will be out and about meeting Christmas shoppers in Keighley and Halifax Town Centres on Saturday 16th December between 10am – 4pm. This is the perfect opportunity for you to meet the search dogs and team, and also pick up some CVSRT merchandise, which will make excellent Christmas gifts!

As the evenings have been drawing in the volunteers of Calder Valley Search and Rescue Team have shelved their usual head torches, thermals and boots in favour of medical books, rescue equipment and secenario role play. Over the last three months the teams training time has been solely focused on how to care for any casualty they could encounter in the context of Mountain Rescue, whether they are injured or unwell. The ultimate aim is for team members to obtain their Mountain Rescue England and Wales (MREW) Casualty Care Certificate. This qualification allows CVSRT members who are not medical professionals,…

On Thursday 30th November, Calder Valley Search & Rescue Team welcomed members from Halifax & Calderdale CAMRA to The Rescue Post in Mytholmroyd for a look round and to learn more about the team. During the evening, the team was presented with a cheque for £1213.54 from the proceeds of the recent Beer and Cider Festival held in Hebden Bridge. CVSRT member Wayne Ogden was on-hand to gratefully accept the generous donation and say a huge thanks for everyones support during the festival. Cheers!

Fantastic Fundraising News Calder Valley Search and Rescue Team are very pleased to announce that the team will benefit from the Co-op Local Community Fund. #TheCoopWay Already a Co-op Member?You can now select CVSRT as your chosen local cause to receive 1% of what you spend on selected own-brand products and services at the Mytholmroyd and Hebden Bridge stores and at J&C Warburton Funeralcare until the 27th October 2018. Click here >> To choose CVSRT as your Co-op local cause << Not a Co-op Member? Register and help raise funds for CVSRT: Become a Co-op Member Thank you for helping…

Huge congratulations to our Honorary President, Mr Robert ‘Bob’ Uttley who received his MBE medal from the Queen at Buckingham Palace on November 10th. Bob was awarded his medal for Services to the Community of Calder Valley & Todmorden. Very well deserved and a proud moment indeed. Read more on the Halifax Courier website: CLICK

And the results are in… We are very pleased to announce that 35 members from CVSRT and 1 member from HVMRT successfully completed the MREW Casualty Care Examination (Theory & Practical) this weekend. For some this was their first time to take the exams whilst for most it was to recertify their qualifications. CVSRT would like to thank members of: Cave Rescue Organisation (CRO) for providing a Senior Examiner and two training casualties, Bolton Mountain Rescue Team (BMRT) for providing an assessor and to Upper Wharfedale Fell Rescue Association (UWFRA) for providing four casualties. Many thanks also to the four examiners who were in attendance from Yorkshire Ambulance Service (YAS) – from Halifax, Bradford Emergency Department,…

Having learnt from our experiences over recent years during the floods, we quickly realised the need to adopt closer working relationships with all the emergency services, partner organisations and the Environmental Agency. Floods by nature are often wide spread, devastating and generally will require immediate hands-on and intervention from many trained personnel to provide an effective response. As a direct result of Boxing Day floods, CVSRT received donations from various organisations, businesses, community groups and the public. These funds were specifically to buy specialist water rescue equipment and to train team members with new water rescue skills and knowledge. We…

The nights are now drawing in and the shorter days are with us for the next few months, and not forgetting the clocks going back on Sunday 29th October. But that doesn’t mean that the countryside is out of bounds, it just means you need to be properly prepared. Here are a few key safety considerations before venturing out onto the hills and moors. Firstly, be aware of the time. Make sure you start your journey early enough to complete the route in daylight, and be aware what time it gets dark, allowing plenty time to get home safely, even…

Roland Arnison (Roly) and his 14 years old son James Elles from Thornton, Bradford, have set their goals high with a mountain of a challenge as they attempt the complete the National Three Peaks Challenge to help raise funds for Calder Valley Search and Rescue Team (CVSRT). For those unfamiliar with the challenge, it involves climbing the three highest peaks, which are Ben Nevis (1345m) in Scotland, Scafell Pike (978m) in the Lake District and Snowdon (1085m) in Wales, all within 24 hours. To help them accomplish their challenge, they have enlisted Richard Quinn who will drive the pair between…

Calling all lovers of lush harmonies and louche singers… Do you fancy an “Evening of Love & Laughter”? Well this event is just for you. Enjoy a charming evening at Hebden Bridge Golf Club on Saturday 14th October with music from Mozart to Manhattan Transfer via Cole Porter, all performed by Due Voci and Bright Shiners. With great food and licenced bar, this promises to be a brilliant evening…and what’s more it’s also a fundraising evening for Calder Valley Search and Rescue Team. Get tickets by emailing: performancetickets1@gmail.com  or visit the events page: Evening of Love & Laughter

On Saturday 16th September, Blazing Saddles Cycles & Orange Bikes held a Test Ride Day with the kind support of Midgehole Working Men’s Club (The Blue Pig) Hebden Bridge. The event successfully forged friendships between Blazing Saddles, Orange Bikes and the Working Men’s Club, who went out of their way to make the riders feel welcome and made hot food and drinks available during the event. Anna Baker from Blazing Saddles' said, “Our intention is to link to routes around The Blue Pig to promote safer riding and hopefully improve relations between riders and walkers using the paths and trails…

Calderdale Beer & Cider Festival 2017 - “Beers of the Roses” held at The Town Hall, Hebden Bridge. This fantastic event is organised by CAMRA Halifax & Calderdale and will run from 28th – 30th September starting at 2pm tomorrow with a incredible selection of nearly 50 beers, ciders and perries from both sides of the Pennines and from around the UK. Many themed ales will be on offer with some specially commissioned for the festival so don’t miss the ‘Beers of the Roses’ Ale Trail and not forgetting to mention… back by popular demand the CVSRT 50th Anniversary Ale…

On Thursday 14th September (18:30-20:30), members of CVSRT and SARDA England handlers and dogs will be giving a talk and demonstration as part of the South Pennines Walk & Ride Festival 2017. There will also be an easy, family and dog friendly walk (4miles) with Calderdale Ramblers giving panoramic views of Cragg Vale and Stoodley Pike, before returning to Craggies Café and Farm Shop for refreshments. For more information and to get involved, please visit: South Pennine Walk & Ride Festival 2017

Some of you will be aware from reading our previous articles in the Halifax Courier, that all our members, whether they are operational full team members, trainees, active supporters, dogsbodies or training casualties – everyone volunteers their time freely. They all contribute precious time that could be spent with their families and instead they dedicate this time to ensure the smooth running of the team, allowing us to continue to provide a life-saving emergency response service to the community, all in support of the statutory emergency services. In the last 12months, CVSRT members and active supporters have voluntarily contributed an…

Reek Sunday, County Mayo, Republic of Ireland. A ballistic flight from England to Ireland. 50minutes in the air, barely enough time to get the trolley around let alone drink the two bottles of wine the woman beside me buys. We land at Knock International Airport with a runway built to 747 landing standards so the Pope could land to visit the Basilica. Welcome to Knock Airport, gateway to Croagh Patrick, Curach Phádraig, the mountain of Saint Patrick. To the locals, ‘The Reek’. Car hires collected, turn left off the airport grounds straight onto a single track road with passing places,…

On Saturday 15th July 2017, Mountain Rescue members from the Mid-Pennine Region who are specially trained in water rescues techniques came together at the River Washburn in North Yorkshire to refresh their water rescue skills and to forge a stronger working relationship. Water First Responders and Swift Water Rescue Technicians from Calder Valley Search and Rescue Team, Bolton Mountain Rescue Team and Holme Valley Mountain Rescue Team gathered in the river flow beneath Woodyard on the river. It’s worth mentioning that this training was made possible by a kind invitation from Halifax Canoe Club and Yorkshire Water. On limited occasions the…

At our monthly maintenance evening, CVSRT had the pleasure of welcoming Stacey McGowan and members of the Halifax Ladies Circle to our base in Mytholmroyd. Some of you may remember that the Halifax Ladies Circle kindly nominated CVSRT as their Charity of the Year last year and did a fantastic job raising funds throughout the year. The ladies kindly popped in to meet the team and present a huge cheque (literally) for an incredible £3178.67. CVSRT Leader, Ben Carter was on-hand to gratefully accept the generous donation and to thank everyone at Halifax Ladies Circle for their hard work and…

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…