New MR Video on the role of MRT in England & Wales

Thank you Rotary

In November the Rotary Club of West Derby,Liverpool held a charity evening at the Devonshire House Hotel in Liverpool.
SARDA Wales were nominated as one of the supported charities.
Today we are very pleased to announce the receipt of a cheque for £1000.
We would like to extend our thanks to the President and members of the West Derby Rotary Club and everyone who supported the event for this very generous donation.
From all at SARDA Wales we would like to wish them a very merry Christmas.

November Assessment Success

This weekend was the SARDA Wales autumn assessment here in Snowdonia. Congratulations are due to Gareth and Indy who qualified as a lowland search dog team in their first assessment. (Indy is Gareths second qualified dog). Congratulations also go to Kev and Nop who passed their upgrade to a Novice Mountain dog team and to Anthony and Moss who were regraded as a full mountain search dog team. Well done to them and many thanks to all of the bodies, assessors and catering team who contributed to the assessment weekend.

Left to Right: Kev with Nop, Gareth with Indy and Anthony with Moss

Thank you to the people of Machynlleth

Whilst the Police search for missing April Jones continues in Machynlleth, our Search Dogs, handlers and Search Managers have now had to return to their normal day to day lives. I am sure I can speak for the whole team, because every single one of them has been operational in the search for April, when I say that not a day will have gone by without April, her family and friends and the people of Machynlleth being in our minds.

The search for a missing child is always hard, especially as the clock ticks and time goes on. As volunteers we hope against hope that we will be able to help bring a positive conclusion. The hours, days and weeks of training we do in our spare time are for precisely this reason - to reunite a missing person with their family, friends and community. As the days go by and April is still not found a feeling of sadness enters our hearts as we methodically go about our searching, the whole time being positive for the dogs, willing them on to fight through the brambles, push through the forest, wade the rivers and climb the piles of slate and shale to rule out another area of open countryside.

The feeling of sadness, the overwhelming sense of being tired, the straggly dog with a coat full of thorns are all feelings and worries that are put behind us though when faced with the warmth, strength and generosity of the people of Machynlleth. Thank you to each and every one of you. Whenever we returned to the Leisure Centre to brief the Search Control on our search, hot food and drink was pressed into our hands. A constant stream of volunteers rallied around, looking after everyone committed to finding April. Complete strangers gave me a hug, fussed our dogs and brought them treats and snacks. Pink ribbons fluttered from almost every house, car, shop and lamppost in a visible sign of support for Aprils family.

Now for us life goes on. We are back at work, the dogs return to their normal day to day existence until the next call comes in or until the next training session. For Aprils family though life is on hold as the search continues and our hearts go out to them.

Thank you to the people of Machynlleth.

Rob Johnson, on behalf of all of SARDA Wales.

Working with the local business community

SARDA Wales acknowledges the support of Siemens and is grateful for the financial donation and their agreement to allow SARDA to train on its grounds in Llanberis.

Pictured are - Clive Lane, Helen Howe, Ian Robertson, Ed Farrell, Geraint Strello and Roland Layland

September Training Weekend

It has been a lovely weekend here in Snowdonia. SARDA Wales have been training all weekend in the sunshine, yesterday over by Rhyd Du and today in the Llanberis Pass.

A find for Sue & Nellie

Congratulations to Sue and Nellie who had a find last week in Bangor. SARDA Wales were called out at 2:00am to search for a missing vulnerable adult. Nellie is one of our trailing dogs and was given a scent article whilst the air scenting dog handlers were being briefed. Sue and Nellie then began a 500m trail that lead them to the missing person within an hour. The person was safe and well and hidden under trees that had previously been searched by people without dogs. A great result for all concerned.

A kind donation

A small group of dogs and handlers gathered at the Legacy Royal Victoria Hotel in Llanberis yesterday afternoon for tea on the lawn and to receive a cheque from the hotel to SARDA Wales. The hotel has a long association with Mountain Rescue and its Search Dogs and when it heard of our shortage of funds was keen to help. As well as a gratefully received financial donation the hotel has provided its grounds for training and has pledged display space in each of its rooms to spread the word on the valuable service the Search Dogs provide, and how to avoid needing them in the mountains! A sincere thank you to all at the Legacy Royal Victoria Hotel in Llanberis.

Tracy Salisbury (General Manager of the hotel) presents Helen Howe (Chair of SARDA Wales) with the cheque

From left to right: Helen Howe with Cluanie, Tracy Salisbury (General Manager), Gwen Owen (Meetings, Events & Sales Co-Ordinator), Rob Johnson with Skye & Roland Layland with Shadow

Helen & Cluanie checking out the hotel facilities

Man Found on Glyder Fawr

SARDA Wales have been operational since Wednesday in the search for a missing climber in the Ogwen Valley. Christopher Whitfield set off on Sunday to go climbing in Snowdonia, but failed to make contact with his family or friends.

Members of OVMRO, NEWSAR, SARDA Wales and RAF Valley MRT carried out an extensive search of the popular scrambling and walking routes, assisted by a helicopter from 22 Squadron. Unfortunately, no sign of the missing person was found so the search was called off in the late evening.

Three of our Mountain Search Dogs & Handlers and one of our trailing dogs continued the search over Thursday and Friday and on Friday afternoon Sally & Spin found a body under the main cliffs of Glyder Fawr in an area known locally as High Pastures. North Wales Police are currently carrying out a formal identification. The colour of his clothing and the consistently poor weather made the man very difficult to see and the find re-iterated the value of search dogs.

Members of OVMRO were called and arrived to carry out the man by stretcher, 22 squadron also provided assistance in taking the mans body to hospital in Bangor.

Our thoughts are now with the family and friends of the missing man and we send them all our deepest condolences. He was a member of our small community of climbers and mountaineers and died in the mountains that we all love.

Operational in Ogwen

Yesterday SARDA Wales were operational on a mountain search in Ogwen.  A 42 year old male was reported overdue by 2 days from a walking trip in Snowdonia. His car was located in the Ogwen Valley, where it had been since Sunday afternoon so a search was started. Members of OVMRO, NEWSAR, SARDA and RAF Valley MRT carried out an extensive search of the popular scrambling and walking routes, assisted by a helicopter from 22 Squadron. Unfortunately, no sign of the missing person was found so the search was called off in the late evening. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-north-west-wales-18623769

Jubilee Beacon

Here are a couple of photos from Monday night where dogs and handlers from SARDA Wales joined members of the Llanberis Mountain Rescue Team and Walking with the Wounded to light the Jubilee Beacon on the summit of Snowdon. There is also a great video of the Para Flares being let off after the beacon had been lit here: http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10150832479197032&set=vb.520387031&type=2&theater

 

Jubilee Beacon

Tomorrow evening members of the Llanberis Mountain Rescue Team & SARDA Wales will join a group of soldiers who have just returned from the Everest region to ascend to the summit of Snowdon in support of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Celebrations.

Soldiers representing the charity ‘Walking with the Wounded’  and will light a beacon on the summit of  Yr Wyddfa, (Snowdon) at 1085 meters the highest point in Wales and the fabled home of Rhita Gawr . This is one of four beacons lit on the summits of the highest national peaks in Britain, Snowdon’s beacon will be lit at 22:29.

This joint venture is in support of the Trust set up by the Princes Harry, who is the Patron of the ‘Walking with the Wounded’ campaign and Prince  William, who is patron of the Mountain Rescue Council for England and Wales. Members of the Llanberis Mountain Rescue Team, together with dogs and handlers from SARDA (Wales) will accompany the soldiers and escort them from Pen y Pass walking along the PyG Track to the summit and descend along the path to Llanberis. This therefore, is a brilliant example of joint participation between the charities.

The soldiers are to be congratulated for their efforts on Everest, which was sadly curtailed because of bad weather and dangerous snow conditions. However, their effort with the ‘8848’ fundraising event is to be applauded as it aims to turn the height of Everest in meters into pounds. The historical links between the conquest of Everest in 1953 and Snowdon are  well documented at Pen Y Gwryd, the adopted home of the first successful ascent of Everest.

The Llanberis Team will represent all of the Welsh mountain rescue teams and proudly wave the flag on their behalf on the summit. The ‘Walking with the Wounded’ participants have been awarded the honour of lighting the beacon on the summit.  However, once the official beacon has been lit it is the Teams intention to light the night sky by firing some para-flares in support of the occasion once the beacon celebrations have ended. The intention is to draw attention to the charity work of all the Welsh mountain rescue teams so that the Welsh Dragon will breath flames once again in support of the celebratory events.

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

Happy Retirement to Iain & Midge

This weekend saw the retirement of Iain and Midge as a trailing dog team. Together with Gwen & Rolf who retired earlier this year, they have pioneered the work of the trailing dog in Search & Rescue in the UK. They have had countless finds, assisted in many more searches and done a massive amount of work in spreading the word about The Dark Side. Well done both and happy retirement! Iain is having 12 months to work on spreading the word some more before starting on a new pup - see you soon Iain!

February Training Weekend

It has been a training weekend this weekend for SARDA Wales. Yesterday we were based in Cwm Dyli at the foot of the pipeline on Snowdon whilst today we were round on the opposite side of the mountain working near the Rhyd Du path. It has been a lovely weekend with blue skies, warm sunshine and a good steady wind for the dogs to work. Great fun!

Video from SARDA Scottish week

A fond farewell

Yesterday SARDA Wales were in the Peak District to say a fond farewell to our President John Poulter who died peacefully at home. John had been involved in Mountain Rescue and with the Search Dogs since the 1970's and will be remembered by all as a true gentleman of the mountains. Fittingly as we gathered at Hope Cemetery to pay our respects the heavens opened and the landscape turned an ephemeral white as the snow arrived in earnest at Johns departure. Happy memories and stories were shared in Johns local pub between family and friends before we made our way back over the snowy hills to Wales. Rest in peace John, we will all miss you.

Scottish Winter Training Week

We have just got back from our annual winter training week in Scotland. This year we had five dogs & handlers and three bodies and we based ourselves at the Kings House Hotel in Glen Coe. The week started on Monday with the team heading to the Nevis Range for a day of winter skills. The snow was bullet hard neve and was ideal for learning/refreshing the essential ice axe and crampon skills that we would need for the rest of the week. The dogs had a great time skidding about in the snow and we had some lovely sunshine into the bargain. That evening we had a lecture on avalanche avoidance, beacons and digging in preparation for the following day.

On Tuesday we spent the day looking at avalanche avoidance and use of the dogs to locate avalanche victims. We walked up onto Buachaille Etive Beag and made use of some snow shelters that had been built by another group. We refreshed our knowledge of how to assess risk of avalanche, the use of transceivers and spent time teaching the dogs to locate and dig out victims.

On Wednesday we did some mountain area searching with the dogs under the North Face of Ben Nevis. We were joined by SARDA England handler Joy and her Collie and each of the dogs worked well in a couple of different areas.

Thursday saw us undertake a joint exercise with the Royal Navy Sea King. We were picked up from the hotel with the bodies being taken up onto Buachaille Etive Beag and then the dogs and handlers following behind in a second flight. We did a search scenario in the snow before making our way down on foot as the helicopter had been forced out by the heavy snow and strong winds. A great end to a great week and many thanks to all who took part. There are more photos on the SARDA Wales Facebook page.