A big thank you to all of you who took part in this years event. After the recent wet weather we thankfully had good conditions and the stunning black mountains were looking their best. 801 competitors were able to join us on the day this year and the team are always amazed with the level of support you all give to us and the event.
Donations and sponsorship monies are already coming in and we are extremely grateful for all your hard work on our behalf. For those of you who have sponsorship monies for the team, please make any cheques payable to “Big Black Mountains Challenge”.
If you have any photos from this years event, or comments, please share them with us by either posting them on the events Facebook page ”Longtown Mountain Rescue Team – Big Black Mountains Challenge”, Twitter, or sending them to the BBMC e-mail address on the contact page of the website.
Hope to see you all next year – confirmation of the date of next years event will be posted shortly so that you can all get it in your diaries!
Entries for this years Big Black Mountains Challenge have closed and the event is full. Everyone who have been successful in gaining a place will receive confirmation in the next few days. Thank you to everyone for continuing to support the event and we look forward to seeing you all next month.
On Tuesday evening the team, along with Central MRT and Police helicopter, were called out to assist 6 students from Essex on a Duke of Edinburgh expedition. See the Abergavenny Chronicle for full details.
http://www.abergavenny-chronicle-today.co.uk/News.cfm?id=12963&headline=Students
On Saturday (25th February) the team played host to this years annual joint exercise. The exercise, held at Llangenny, was well attended by team members from all four south Wales teams and SARDA. The day focused on two scenarios, one practicing safe techniques for searching near rivers and the second the evacuation of a casualty on steep ground
Team members, along with SARDA dog handlers, joined the search today for 63-year old Alethea Taylor, who has been missing from her home in Orleton, Herefordshire since Thursday last week.
The team joined Police, SARA and a “small army” of local volunteers to search the rural areas surrounding the village.
http://www.herefordtimes.com/news/9486922.Villagers_join_in_search_for_missing_Orleton_woman/
Entries for this years Big Black Mountain’s Challenge, which will take place on 12th May, are now OPEN! As usual places are limited so apply early to avoid disappointment
The team assisted the air ambulance to evacuate a young boy with a suspected leg fracture from Sugarloaf during the Christmas period. The boy was in an area of steep ground and the team stretchered him to the waiting helicopter who transported him to nearby Nevill Hall hospital.
Articles on the callout can be found at -
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-south-east-wales-16348498
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2011/dec/28/boy-airlifted-hospital-sugar-loaf-mountain?INTCMP=SRCH
Team member, Tim Jarvis, is to undertake an expedition in 2012 to raise funds for both the team and the mountain rescue benevolent fund. Starting on 16th July, 2012, Tim is to drive the 2000 miles around the UK’s 15 national parks in a 1974 series Land Rover. The trip will also include visits to as many mountain rescue teams as possible on the way.
To follow the build up to Tim’s trip, check out his blog, which not only includes information on the expedition but has posts on life in the team.
http://firstbritishoverland.blog.com/
If you would like to sponsor Tim’s trip please go to -
How time flys, BBMC entry time is fast approaching! Next years event will be run on Saturday 12th May. For those of you who did last years event or who entered and unfortunately didn’t get a place, look out for your reminder postcard arriving in the post in the next few weeks. The entry form will be uploaded to this site in early January so keep checking back.
Following another successful year in 2011 we have produced a new calendar for 2012, again featuring stunning pictures of the Black Mountains. Calendars are available at a number of outlets (£7) or mail order (£9 inc. postage and packing). Stockists include -
Trekitt, Hereford
Crickhowell Adventure, Crickhowell
Skirrid Mountain Garage, Llanvihangel Crucorney
Crown Inn, Pantygelli
Aber Rocks Bouldering Centre, Abergavenny
Longtown Outdoor Education Centre, Longtown
Cheques for £9, made payable to Longtown Mountain Rescue Team, should be sent to
Calendar Offer
Longtown Mountain Rescue team
PO Box 120
Abergavenny
NP7 7WU