May training weekend

SARDA Wales have had a lovely training weekend here in Snowdonia. We were based at Rhyd Du and had air scenting dogs training on the mountains and the trailing dogs by the sea, all making the most of the warm sunshine and blue skies!

SARDA Wales AGM

This weekend was the SARDA Wales AGM. We held the formal meeting at the Vaynol in Nant Peris before retiring to Plas Y Brenin for the dinner and party. Many thanks to all who attended from other teams and well done to Helen Howe who became the new Chair, Shelley who became the new secretary, Kes who continues the role of treasurer and to Rich who has taken on the role of training officer. Here's to the next 12 months!

Search on Snowdon

SARDA Wales have been operational since 8:00pm last night on a major search on Snowdon for a missing walker. Unfortunately the mans body was found at 10:20 this morning on the East Ridge of Snowdon. The man in his twenties, who has not been formally identified, was reported missing yesterday evening after failing to return from a walk in Snowdonia. The family have been informed and our thoughts are with them at this sad time.
We were working jointly with Llanberis MRT, Aberglasylyn MRT, Ogwen MRT, RAF Valley MRT and RAF 22 squadron and had 4 dogs and handlers deployed on the mountain last night and today.

Running for the dogs

Supporter of SARDA Wales, Luci, is running a half marathon to raise money for us, give her some support and visit her Just Giving page here: http://www.justgiving.com/Lucienne-Sutton. Thanks Luci!

First Search, first find for Kev & Nop

SARDA Wales were operational in Llandudno on Sunday. Well done to Kev & Nop who had their first find on their first search, just one week after passing their assessment. Our Search Managers also did a great job of interviewing friends of the missing person to narrow down the search area and find the missing person, well done to all involved.

Gwen & Rolf Retire

Gwen & Rolf retired last month after many years of amazing service as a trailing dog team. Gwen & Rolf pioneered the use of trailing dogs in the UK along with Iain and Midge and have paved the way for many more new handlers that are now following in their wake. As a team they have proven the value of trailing dogs, had several finds, attended numerous call outs and made a positive impact on many peoples lives. They have played an important part in the history of SARDA Wales and we wish them a happy retirement.

Great Spring Assessment

SARDA Wales has had a great weekend for its spring assessment. All 4 dogs up for assessment passed and the weather has been glorious. Congratulations to Kev & Nop who passed their Lowland Novice, Steve & Boris who qualified as a novice trailing team and Rich & Scout who passed their Novice Mountain. Skye & I also passed Novice Mountain. Many thanks to the whole team of assessors, caterers, bodies, handlers who all made the weekend possible. Two new dogs on the call out list and two new mountain dogs - great stuff!

Steve & Boris

Kev & Nop

Rob & Skye

Rich & Scout