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Stiperstones Dawdle or Dash, 26th December 2024
Once again team members rounded-off the year by supporting the organisers of the Annual Boxing Day "Dawdle or Dash" race on the Stiperstones (Shropshire). On what was an amazing day with a temperature inversion in the valleys around the Devil's Chair giving the impression of surrounding hills as islands in a huge inland sea, we worked up a sweat in the bright sunshine 'stamping' the runners as they arrived at the half-way point. We also provided drinks and mince pies (courtesy of the Stiperstones Inn and Shop) to runners and dawdlers. Despite the warm weather the first entrants reached the Devil's Chair within 12 minutes of the race start at the Stiperstones Inn.
SWERA Day, Forest of Dean, 7th September 2024
Team members joined colleagues from a number of other search and rescue groups that are part of South West England Rescue Association for a training day in the Forest of Dean - see the training page for more.
Shropshire Fire & Rescue Service Open Day, 17th August 2024
We took our display along to the annual SFRS Open Day at Shrewsbury Fire Station where chldren and adults were encouraged to have a go at crawling through a tube, then seeing how 'low they could go' through the squeeze box (kindly loaned to us by Dudley Caving Club).
Once the children got the hang of what to do they were like 'energiser bunnies' repeatedly going through the tube and box, then running round for another go! The thought of winning stickers might have helped a little.
Thanks to Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service for inviting us and to everyone who kindly made donations during the day and chatted to us about cave rescue and underground places in the area.
ResCon 24, 7th to 9th June 2024
Over the weekend of 7th – 9th June the Briitsh Cave Rescue Council (BCRC) biennial rescue conference was held at Nenthead in Cumbria. Hosted by Cumbria Ore Mines Rescue Unit (COMRU) more than 100 delegates from 13 underground rescue teams, 3 Mountain Rescue Teams as well as HM Coastguard and the Police descended on the village. They attended a variety of talks, demonstrations and practical activities throughout the area both above and below ground.
A lot of work went into making the weekend a success. Including generous contributions by local businesses and organisations; Cubby Construction (who made a huge investment of time, money and resources both underground and on the surface), Alston Stone, Lyon Work and Rescue, plus Sellafield Ltd for volunteering their time to demonstrate two ‘Spot’ robot dogs and a LIDAR capable drone all made for an excellent experience for all the delegates. Not forgetting Cavendish Nuclear for providing sponsorship towards the event, Nenthead WI for feeding everyone, the Village Hall volunteers for running the bar and Nenthead mines for use of the site and their buildings.
More details and pictures from the weekend can be found on the BCRC website
AGM, 23rd May 2024
We held our AGM on Friday 23rd May when the new constitution was approved. A new officer post of Vice Chair was also created and Jonathan Wilkes appointed to the role.
Stores Social and Familiarisation, 16th February, 2024
An evening session was spent in the stores to help team members familiarise themselves with the layout and newer items of kit. Plus, test a range of cakes and biscuits.
Land Search Call-out, 5th February, 2024
On Monday 5th we were asked to support colleagues in SARA with a search in Gloucestershire. However, 90 minutes after receving the request and while team members were deploying the missing person was located by a Police search team and all volunteer team members were stood down.
Land Search Call-out, 19th January, 2024
On Friday 19th we were asked to support an ongoing missing person search in the Grear Barr area of Birmingham that had started on 11th January. MCRO members joined land crews from SARA Wyre Forest & SARA Upton who had been deployed to assist West Midlands Police. West Mercia Search and Rescue (WMSAR), Warwickshire Search and Rescue & Leicestershire Search and Rescue were also in attendance on the Friday.
Shortly after deploying into their initial search area, the mixed SARA and MCRO search team alongside a colleague from WMSAR successfully managed to locate the missing person, who was reunited with their family. Cheshire Search and Rescue and Staffordshire Search and Rescue had also been in attendance on previous days.
Winter Training Day, 14th January, 2024
Once again our first training session of 2024 took place in the excellent facilities at Arco Professional Safety Services training centre in Eccleshall. See the Training page for a little more detail.
