#BearingUp   One of Calder Valley Search and Rescue Team (CVSRT) members, Paul Taylor, continues to ride, one wheeled (on a unicycle!), along the canal towpath system across the country from Runcorn to Goole, all in order to raise much needed funds to provide equipment for CVSRT’s specialist Swift Water Rescue Technicians.   Paul is scheduled to pass through Mytholmroyd and CVSRT’s headquarters this evening (Monday 14th September) and he has shared some words on his challenge.    ______   CVSRT need to equip the SwiftWater and Flood Rescue Team with essential Flood Rescue items.    Calder Valley has frequently…

CVSRT is very fortunate to have 6 qualified MRSDE Search dog handlers in the team, working 4 air-scenting search dogs, and two dogs in training (…possibly a third aspirant pup, but that’s another story, Sssh!!) To maintain the search skills of the dogs, the handlers train with them twice weekly, searching for dogsbodies (volunteers hiding from the dogs), as well as regular training with the full team. Life in lockdown and adhering to social distancing guidelines obviously has its challenges when it comes to training, however search dog training is naturally a socially distanced activity with dogsbodies generally hiding 500mtres…

Yorkshire Dales Three Peaks   Today is the day Robert Batty will be taking on the the Yorkshire Three Peaks.     The original plan was to complete the challenge overnight, however, the forecast isn’t kind and Robert has made the decision to set off earlier (2pm) to ensure he misses the worst of the weather.   The challenge is still high, navigating the 3 peaks will see Robert ascend around 1,585m during the 38.6km route and it will certainly be dark when he finishes.   Good to luck to Robert and a huge thank you for choosing Calder Valley…

#GOPageBoy   This weekend two members of Calder Valley Search and Rescue Team (CVSRT), Tim and Al, visited Pageboy to offer our thanks and some morale support as he and Tina completed the final part of the Tri-Nation Trotathon.     PageBoy has been representing CVSRT all week as he competed against fellow tiny horses Angus and Titan in the Tri-Nation Trotathon Trail Marathon Run.   Everyone has finished and the results can be found by visiting our Facebook Page.  Well done to all the horses and their guides.   The CVSRT fundraising page will remain open all week and…

Calder Valley is a wonderful area, filled with incredible people who are not only out in the hills testing themselves they are also out having fun in imaginative ways. Not only that they are actively raising much needed money for charities while doing so.   We are honoured that several of these amazing people have chosen Calder Valley Search and Rescue Team (CVSRT) as their chosen charity.   A brief story of these fundraisers is below along with links that will allow you to read more, follow their progress and give you the opportunity to donate.  Each donation, no matter…

What is it like to be a part of Calder Valley Mountain Rescue Team (CVSRT)?     A few members of the team took some time out to chat with Laura Reid at the Yorkshire Post, reflecting on what life is like as a volunteer and the busy period we have experienced throughout the COVID19 pandemic.    Thank you to Laura and the Yorkshire Post for publishing an excellent article.    To read the full article follow the link; https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/people/meet-these-yorkshire-mountain-rescue-volunteers-helping-reach-people-difficulty-remote-places-2906586?fbclid=IwAR087pTF_O-VqCZX-2dKzFvqlGAj5Y4u0DMfBusJ10CQI2YEishjFfgZhjY   If you would like to support the team and to donate to CVSRT, please visit: https://www.givey.com/caldervalleysearchandrescueteam    

#Virtual challenge  What happens when you cannot run events planned to take place during the current COVID19 lockdown?  You run them virtually. Two local running races, the Horsforth Fellandale’s Danefield relay and the CraggRunner’s Stock’s Lane Stinger are this year being held virtually.  Sign up, record your run and share your time with the event organiser, or just complete it for fun! We would like to thank both events for choosing to raise money on behalf of Calder Valley Search and Rescue Team (CVSRT). _______________ Danefield Relay If you’re quick you may have time to squeeze in an official entry…

#TRAINING   Over the last few months, as we all continue to adapt to the restrictions in place due to COVID19, Calder Valley Search and Rescue Team (CVSRT) trainers have had to find alternative ways to ensure we can continue to keep our skills at the highest standards.   Some of these sessions, while still focusing on key skills, have had a more light hearted approach and have encouraged taking part with other members of their household.   Our last training session was based around navigation and included an orienteering style post box hunt.  The challenge was to walk, run,…

Yesterday (25th June 2020) was the hottest day of the year and saw Calder Valley Search & Rescue Team experience the busiest day* since the team was formed in 1966, with four callouts within 12 hours. (*Not including major incidents during flooding and adverse winter weather conditions). Jonathan Cole, CVSRT Team Leader said, “As with all incidents, the casualty’s safety and efficient evacuation is paramount and I’m very proud of all CVSRT members who coped admirably with all four incidents and worked seamlessly with fellow mountain rescue team members and the statutory emergency services to achieve this. It’s worth remembering…

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic @Totallyscrewedhardware have been really supportive of Calder Valley Search and Rescue Team (CVSRT), helping to keep the team in stock of the additional PPE required as we follow protocols introduced since the COVID-19 pandemic.    To add to the help they have already provided, Totally Screwed Hardware are the latest stockist of the CVSRT branded neckwear.  Tim, one of our team members visited the store in Mytholmroyd to hand over the stock and say thanks for all of their support.   Totally Screwed Hardware have been operating delivery and click and collect services only over the…

During a cold and rainy weekend in February, before the #COVID19 restrictions were in place, a group of 3rd-year Digital Television Production students from Ravensbourne University London joined Mountain Rescue Search Dogs England (MRSDE) dogs, handlers and dogsbodies as they completed one of their regular training sessions at Widdop and Langfield. The students were looking for subjects for part of their final major project and being impressed by the work the Search dogs do, they wanted members of Calder Valley Search & Rescue Team (CVSRT) to be subjects in their documentary. The film provides a glimpse of the work that…

#TeamLeader Statement: Calder Valley Search & Rescue Team would like to take this opportunity to remind our community to exercise within your abilities and don’t put yourselves in harm’s way this weekend whilst out enjoying the countryside. This request comes ahead of the governments ‘support bubble’ guidelines coming into effect from tomorrow (June 13th). Jonathan Cole, CVSRT Team Leader said, “We are truly blessed with some stunning scenery around the Calder Valley, with excellent locations and routes to explore and it is great to see people out walking, running, cycling, climbing and enjoying the landscape. However, the team has seen…

#volunteersweek This week has been volunteers’ week which is an annual celebration of the contribution millions of people make across the UK through volunteering. As a charity Calder Valley Search and Rescue Team (CVSRT) receive no direct funding from the government and in 2019 alone our volunteers gave 15,000 hours that covered fundraising events, training and attending callouts. In 2020 and with the COVID19 pandemic that is affecting all of us, nearly all planned fundraising events have been cancelled, however CVSRT have remained operational throughout attending 39 callouts so far this year. We could not continue to operate without the…

They’ve done it! A huge congratulations to Tracy Cokill, Janet Whitaker and everyone who took part in the Mountain Rescue England and Wales MR’athon. Covering 26 miles, from the door, over the last week to raise money for Mountain Rescue teams across the country. Janet and Tracy took part on behalf of Calder Valley Search and Rescue Team as their nominated team, running, hiking and cycling across the Calder Valley in what has been a very hot week. So far over £6,000 has been received in donations which is a fantastic amount and a big thank you to everyone who…

From the 23rd May, less than a weeks time, 2 of Calder Valley Search And Rescue Team’s (CVSRT) active supporters will be joining other Mountain Rescue volunteers to run a MR’athon, covering 26 miles in a week whilst adhering to all current government guidelines. With several of our planned fundraising events cancelled this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic it is fantastic to see volunteers from around the country stepping up to the challenge to help raise much needed funds that help to keep search and rescue teams operational. Thank you to everyone who is taking part, with an extra…

#STAYSAFE Calder Valley Search and Rescue Team continue to stand behind the message asking people to Stay Safe. We do, however, understand that following the recent announcements from the government, which sees some of the restrictions placed in reaction to the COVID-19 relaxed, many of us will begin to start enjoying the outdoors more frequently and for longer durations. Accidents do and will happen and as a team all of the extra precautions we are taking are to look out for the safety and wellbeing of our volunteers whilst maintaining the ability to remain operational and take care of the…

Well done Amelia! Amelia has done it, she has had her locks cut and raised an amazing £520 for Calder Valley Rescue Team. Amelia’s mum, Natalie, would like to say “Thank you all SO much for your amazing support and encouragement. Amelia is now sporting a cute bob and is looking forward to hair brushing being less painful.” Amelia’s tresses will now be sent to the Little Princess Trust who create wigs for children and young people suffering the devastating effects of hair loss. Thank you Amelia, £520 is an amazing amount!

Two years ago, we brought you the story of Amelia, a special little girl who raised an incredible £1600 for CVSRT and the Little Princess Trust.  Amelia and her family are well known to CVSRT, as her dad Richard was a team member until he sadly lost his battle with cancer in 2018.   As in 2018, Amelia is having her luscious locks cut and will be donating her hair to the Little Princess Trust who create wigs for children and young people suffering the devastating effects of hair loss. Her last haircut, two years ago, was her first haircut…

Calder Valley Search and Rescue Team stand behind the message asking people to Stay Home and Stay Safe. We do, however, understand that people need to venture outside for all manner of reasons. We also understand that throughout this pandemic we will be asked to assist the emergency services. The driving factors for all of the extra precautions ourselves and all the Mountain Rescue Teams are taking are to look out for the safety and wellbeing of our volunteers whilst maintaining the ability to remain operational and take care of the safety and wellbeing of all casualties in need of…

#inthistogether During these unprecedented times Calder Valley Search & Rescue Team (CVSRT) are committed to looking out for the safety and wellbeing of all of our volunteers whilst maintaining the ability to remain operational and take care of the safety and wellbeing of all casualties in need of our help. To support this we have been in regular contact with our Mountain Rescue partners and have been following all recommended guidance over the last few weeks and will continue to do so as the situation develops. For further information please see the Mountain Rescue England and Wales (MREW) response to…

#TRAINING   On Saturday 7th March Calder Valley Search & Rescue Team (CVSRT) hosted ‘ROLE’ (Recognition of Life Extinct) regional training, a nationally recognised Advanced Casualty Care course.   The course was instigated, organised and delivered by one of our team doctors who was assisted by two of our team paramedics along with another doctor from Bowland Pennine Mountain Rescue Team.   In support of the training A senior Crime Scene Officer from West Yorkshire Police (WYP) delivered an informative lecture and helped mentor the delegates during the various scenarios.    In total, sixteen Mountain Rescue England & Wales (MREW) team members…

#All In A Day   The beginning of the week was a particularly busy one for Calder Valley Search and Rescue Team (CVSRT).  Within a 24 hour period the team was alerted to a potential request for assistance, responded to 2 requests to assist the emergency services and also attended our regular Tuesday evening training session. The combined duration of these events were 10hrs with a total of 220hrs of team effort.  The busy 24hrs started at 12:55 on Monday 9th March with an alert to the CVSRT Prime (leaders) group for a potential assist request from Yorkshire Ambulance Service…

#Congratulations to the class of 2020 - Alistair Findlater, Pete Haigh, Ed Holliday, Josh Smith, Gareth Talbot and Mark Timmerman – who after a year of training and hard work were formally voted onto Calder Valley Search and Rescue Team (CVSRT) on Tuesday 28th January as operational team members.    The final challenge for the team consisted of a 20 hour assessment staged around the Calder Valley and designed to bring together everything that was learnt through the year.   The whole team would like to welcome aboard our new operational members and look forward to working with you over…

Welcome to the team Orion.    A huge congratulations from everyone at the Calder Valley Search and Rescue Team to search dog Orion and handler Gary for successfully passing their Mountain Rescue Search Dogs England assessment over the last weekend. They have now officially become an active, operational air scenting search dog team.    While the weather was excellent, the assessment conditions were quite the opposite and the whole weekend was a real test for both handler and dog.  In the end both could rely on the last 3 years of hard work, training and dedication to see them successfully…

15,000 hours! - Calder Valley Search and Rescue Team (CVSRT) 2019 in numbers   Every member of CVSRT commits a large amount of time each year to train, support and provide assistance when called upon and 2019 was no exception.    87 incidents This year we attended 87 full team call outs assisting the emergency services including Yorkshire Ambulance Service (YAS), West Yorkshire Police (WYPS), Yorkshire Air Ambulance (YAA), Hazardous Area Response Tram (HART), West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue (WYFR). Our busiest month for call outs was June in which we attended 15.    156 Exercises Exercises which include training…