Rescue Emergency Aid Certificates issued.

The certificates for those who successfully attended the two day, ‘Emergency First Aid’ on 27^th/28th September 2009 are now with me and ready for forwarding or collection.
The volunteers, UFRC club members who spanned a wide range of age and personalities sharing a love for the great outdoors, enthusiastically participated in the course to enhance their personal safety and value to others when walking or trekking in remote areas and wilderness destinations.
Held at facilities in Mary Peters Area, Malone, the course followed the REC [Rescue Emergency Care] handbook issued to participants on the first day and aptly titled, ‘Lifeskills For Life’.
Under the expert tuition of Stephen Synott, experienced Mountain Rescue Medic, and his assistants, (also experienced medics and themselves undergoing teaching training), we were taught various first aid techniques  honed and adapted for appropriate responses to wilderness environments. 
It is this focusing on the unique problems posed by emergencies in the difficult to access areas (that our members strive to spend their spare time in) ‘that differentiates’  the REC courses  from other first aid courses.
On the Course days, the weather was stunning for the time of year, and as photographs show, we undertook as much of our practical exercises as possible outdoors in the grounds of Mary Peters, while the athletes:  young, old and disabled; honed their skills and fitness oblivious to our bandaging and role acting antics.
A real life drama unfolded in the closing minutes of the last day of the course when a member of the public reported a man in distress in the trees.  In true first aid spirit, the new recruits ‘mostly sat tight’ and let the experts move to deal with the situation!  However curiosity took the better of us on seeing the look of concern on the medics faces. 
We were relieved to find that the person in need was in fact our own Ronnie Carser who decided to put his own UFRC test in place stealing the, ‘Casualty Role Actor Oscar of the Day’, award.
All told, a very enjoyable, informative and instructional event, put across professionally and amicably by Stephen and his team.  Thank you to Mary Peters staff who allowed us to share their kettle and facilities and many thanks to Stephen and his assistants-Philippa, Felicity and Charlene and a particular thanks to the supporting clubs represented by those who participated.

The successful participants included:

Paul McCann, Robert Alexander, Sheila O' Keefe, Sheila McSorley, Shelia Hammond, Simon Redmond, Celine Barr

The worthy recipients can contact me by phone or email to arrange receipt of their certificates.

CAAN Volunteer Rangers~Winter Walk 2010

Location:   Holywood – Helens Bay.      Guide:  Reg Magowan – amateur natural historian and walker

Details:  Meet in Holywood Railway Station car park. Short walk through Holywood. Proceed along the North Down Coastal Path towards Bangor. Walk to Cultra (2 miles) and on to Helens Bay/ Grey Point (3.5 miles). Leave the coast at Helens Bay to walk historic Clandeboye Avenue looping round to Crawfordsburn. Short walk through Crawfordsburn Country Park to the coastal path and Helens Bay station. Back to Holywood by train.Distance:       7 miles approx
Further info: Bring outdoor winter walking gear,water and energy snacks.
Details of Reg's walk  
 

Walking holiday in the Austrian Alps

 

1.Great Value Guided Walking Holiday in the Stubai Alps, Austria.

7 nights in the Stubai Alps Austria 17^th – 24^th July (other dates in July & August may also be available please ask). Groups or individuals equally welcome.Price without flight is £400 per person sharing a double room or £442 per person for single occupancy.

Included in this price is half board accommodation (dinner & buffet breakfast), en suite rooms in a homely hotel. Direct transfer from Munich airport to the hotel and return by private coach. The services of 2 leaders who are very familiar with leading walking groups in this area offering a choice of easier and harder walks each day (1 free day).  All for £57 per person per night double room or £63 per person per night single room.

Not included in the above price. Flights Dublin – Munich with Aer Lingus currently showing around £230 (timed to connect with the transfer coach).
Essential travel insurance. Lunches. Bar bills and other extras in the hotel.Transport to from walks app. €60 covering all buses & lifts used.

Contact; - Libby and Neil Sutherland

Email  nls.stub@hotmail.co.uk            Tel.02891859329

2.Great Value Holiday. 7 nights in the historic town of Ronda – Andalucia, Spain.

Dates available in April and May please e-mail or phone for further information.Using our good contacts in Spain we have negotiated what we believe to be a very attractive offer for this standard of holiday.

Price without flight is only £400 per person sharing a double room £492 per person for single occupancy room (NB this price is based on current Euro exchange rate and a group size of 15 persons it may fluctuate slightly).
Included in the price is, Seven nights half board accommodation in an en suite room. Three course dinners with choice of menu, wine, tea/coffee are also served. Breakfasts are self-service buffet. Transfer from Malaga airport to hotel and return by private coach. The services of 2 leaders very familiar with leading group walking holidays in this area, offering a choice of easier and harder walks.
All for £57 per person per night double room or £70 per person per night single room.

Not included in the above price, Flights Belfast to Malaga with Easy Jet currently showing as around £120.Essential travel insurance.  Lunches. Bar bills and any other extras in the hotel. Transport to from walks and optional excursions.
We will be staying in the 3 star Hotel Don Miguel which is renowned for it’s incredible location immediately adjacent to the famous gorge and New Bridge (the symbol of Ronda completed in 1790). In addition to walking Ronda has something to offer everyone e.g. historical buildings, museums, painting, photography, walking, bird watching and of course the chance to practice speaking Spanish. In addition visits to Seville, Gibraltar, Malaga may be possible.For further information contact the co-ordinators as soon as possible, more detail will be supplied. Places are limited and the price is dependent on booking the flights at the first opportunity.

Contact: Libby and Neil Sutherland

Email  nls.stub@hotmail.co.uk            Tel.02891859329

Take a look at these useful web sites. Ronda town   www.andalucia.com/ronda

UFRC Update

Development Officer (or similar title).  The Federation has been run entirely by volunteers but the Executive is agreed that we now need someone to provide a ‘focus’ , to handle routine business and enquiries, to develop and build links with other walking/health related bodies and to take us forward.
Three new clubs have recently joined—Colin and Derrynoose walking clubs and Bangor U 3 A walking group.- and some others are ‘considering’, so the workload increases.
Now that the Federation has charitable status, we are working with NICVA and others to seek the quite substantial funding which would be required for a full or p/t appointment. I f you can point us in the direction of possible sources, in these straightened times, that would be so very helpful
Executive—New members.  As ever, we seek volunteers to fill places which may become vacant at agm. Having being around UFRC for nine years, I will retire and others may also do so—hence new faces needed. In this day and age it seems as if volunteering has become less ‘popular’ –all organisations struggle with the issue.  I was walking in the Mournes with the Down Danderers last Saturday. A beautiful day with the hills absolutely full of walkers-of all ages-and I again had the thought which started me off in UFRC—these people need a local voice to protect what they enjoy. The Federation has grown to become that voice, speaking to the media, local and central government, landowners and all variety of other organisations.
The pity is that most fail to recognise the need and those who do, fail to come forward to simply give a wee bit back as tiny ‘payment’ for their years of recreation and enjoyment. One way would be to serve for a few years on Executive Committee.
AGM. Do please remember the date>  Saturday 17^th October ’09, Castlewellan Forest Park. Hosted by the Mourne Rambling Group. I know that much thought and effort has already been expended by MRG to ensure the success of this meeting. A number of walks will be organised, a meal provided, some beautiful ‘photos of birds associated with Mourne will be shown and other aspects ,yet to be revealed, will make a day designed to be one of friendship and fellowship. Do, please, remember, attend and encourage.

Contrib. by Ronnie Carser (UFRC Executive)

Lagan Valley Recreational Forum met on 21st January ’09 This Group represents-amongst users of the Lagan Valley Regional Park .UFRC clubs often walk in the Park, so the Federation is represented in the Forum.
Interesting developments : A boathouse near Shaw’s Bridge,  will provide access to the Lagan for canoes and disabled users, with a floating pontoon within the structure.The stonework is designed to reflect that of the ancient adjacent bridge. Visitors should walk from Shaw’s Bridge downstream to Mc Cleaves (3^rd) Lock where the Lock Keepers Inn provides teas/coffees and snacks and toilet facilities. Situated beside the restored lock keepers cottage, the Inn is recommended.
Later, it may be licensed and provide a resting place in peaceful ,historic surroundings. There are plans to develop the first lock-situated upstream from the Belfast Boat Club into a crossing place where walkers may cross to the Annadale Embankment. Could this spot could be used to recreate Molly Ward’s Tavern, originally situated at the confluence of the Lagan Navigation and tidal river, at Stranmillis, beside Cutter’s Wharf, where Molly and her husband dispensed ale in the 1760’s. A long, low, whitewashed building with a turf fire, despite the clean air act, would provide an ideal welcome for weary walkers.
Further marked walking trails within the Park, in association with the National Trust, are planned.

The Federation is represented in the Lagan Valley Recreational Forum where updated information comes from the Park Management Board and where members can feed back items from users to the Board for consideration.

Meeting  25^th November ’09 update.
User survey: Around 750,000 users per year, with walking,cycling and running being the main activities—in that order. 72% are male and only 1% arrive using public transport.  Complaints centre on: inconsiderate cyclists refusing to give way, dogs off lead, dog faeces on paths.
Map. 1:20000 map now available from a variety of sources at £4 per copy-
LVRP headquarters(www.laganvalley.co.uk), CAAN (www.countrysiderecreation.org)  Land &Property Services-the old OSNI (lpsni.gov.uk)
Giants Ring paths-urrent muddy ,will be surfaced with stone/quarry dust by the National trust.
Public Toilet provision-While this has been provided at the Lockkeepers Inn, it is limited because, there being no nearby main sever, effluent has to be pumped under the canal and for some 200 yards thereafter to a sewer.Possible toilets at Shaw’s Bridge face a similar problem.
Building within Park. Queens University has been granted planning permission to erect dwellings at Dub Lane, despite much local opposition. Some interesting old, original houses here will be demolished, as part of this process.
Forward plans. To open the canal to navigation from Stranmillis to Lisburn. Third lock (McCleave’s ) at Lockkeepers Inn, nearing restoration and will be a working lock. Second lock (Mickey Taylor’s ) now being restored. More information at www.lagancanaltrust.org
Possibility of an eventual new path from Minnowburn, via old Belvoir Hospital grounds and Hydebank to Carryduff.

One of our clubs, fairly recently, had the experience of an injury to one of its members after a slip.  Most of us have been in this situation at least once in a walking lifetime.  We have been provided with a number of salient points worth bringing to the attention of our members. 
You just never know when something like this might happen.

1.    The time from the emergency call to his hoist aboard the helicopter was about one and a half hours--conditions were good-- light wind, no rain and good visibility. Had they been bad this would have taken much longer and exposure could have been a problem.

2.    There were 8 phone-calls made during the rescue so a fully charged phone is essential.

3.    The fact that it was possible to give them a grid reference of  the location helped enormously. It's not always the case that you know exactly where you are.

4.    There was a good mobile signal in that location.

5.    In spite of the good weather conditions the casualty was beginning to feel cold--even with full walking gear and a survival bag wrapped round his shoulders.

All in all everything went well but even small changes to things could have made the situation much more serious.

To find out more about the programme can visit the USA site where the principles were developed by clicking logo.

UFRC BELIEVES STRONGLY IN TREATING OUR ENVIRONMENT WITH RESPECT,
ALL WALKERS SHOULD FAMILIARISE THEMSELVES WITH THE CODE FOR OUTDOOR BEHAVIOUR.

Leave no trace principles -see 'Principles of Outdoor Ethics'