Today at the very kind invitation of the Carnival Committee, the team attended the Flixton, Urmston and Davyhulme Carnival. The weather was dull and damp but luckily the rain stayed away until late afternoon and allowed the carnival to be a great success. The team this year had been selected as the main Carnival charity beneficiary for the year and we will find out at a Presentation Evening in November 2011 how much was raised for the team. Although a little distance from our base, this area of Trafford is provided with an emergency search and rescue service when required by Bolton Mountain Rescue Team. (ie Missing Person searches and difficult to access casualty sites) Other local charities will also benefit from monies collected during the parade.
The nine team members and two Support Group members (Iain Clarkson and Johanne Lamb) arrived early at the Carnival Field to be joined later by two further team members. We set up our book stall and positioned three of our Land Rover Mountain Rescue Ambulances on display.
A short time later was The Carnival Parade which included colourful floats, bands including the Flixton Brass band, The Flixton Academy of Performing Arts, The Jane Jarvis Dance Studio as well as lots of Rose Queens in beautiful dresses. Team Call Out member Diane Blakeley and Trainee member Paul Copley took part in the parade in one of our new Land Rover Mountain Rescue Ambulances, BM2, ’The Mark Mason’ along with our Search and Rescue boat. Our new team mascot, a cuddly toy dog, “Rory the Rescue Dog”, now complete with his own Bolton MRT uniform, hat and boots (Thanks to Support Group member Teresa Gilliland) much to the excitement of all the children waved to all the crowds throughout the parade and was definitely a hit with all age groups. The route although long was very well supported with lots of the public out on the streets cheering us on.
Once the parade was over an hour and half later, our BM2 vehicle joined the rest of team and our other four vehicles on the Carnival field. Throughout the day we had steady interest with lots of children sitting in the back of the Land Rovers and learning a little about the work we do. There were lots of questions from some very interested young children who were very excited about sitting in the Land Rovers and turning on the blue lights. Throughout the afternoon various dance groups entertained the large number of visitors, whilst there were lots of stalls, games and fairground rides which kept not only the public entertained but also the team members. Throughout the day team members purchased drinks at a very kindly discounted rate from Coffee Point who are based in Atherton. (Huge thanks to Alison for her generous support)
The Mayor of Trafford, Councillor Mrs Jane Baugh and her Consort Dr Peter Baugh talked to Team Chairman Craig Lamb and Equipment Officer Nick Berry to find out more about the work that Bolton Mountain Rescue Team does. They were extremely interested and surprised at the range of incidents that we assist the Statutory Full Time Emergency Services with.
The team’s massive thanks are expressed to The Flixton, Urmston and Davyhulme Carnival Committee for selecting us to be their Beneficiary Charity for the year with particular thanks to Stuart Priestley, Carnival Chairman. A big thank you to all those who took part in the parade and the events on the field helping to raise money for Bolton Mountain Rescue Team. Special thanks must go to the Rose Queens and their families many who were raising money for the team. Whilst last but not least, a big thank you to all those members of the public who made donations, bought books or wristbands. A total £67.68 was raised directly by the team today at its display.
