Another three responders were at The Wright Event to gain the British Off Road Driving Association (BORDA) qualification this weekend. This is the fourth weekend the training has been held. We would like to thank Paul, our Vice Chairman, who is a BORDA BST for giving his time to run the course and The Wright Event, one of our major sponsors, for use of their facilities at Ashtree Farm. South East 4x4 Response is kindly funding the training for members who wish to become BORDA assessed.

Eight responders attended an Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW) course this weekend. Having completed the six hour course, they stayed on for a further two hours to gain the Forestry First Aid qualification alongside the EFAW award. An intensive day, full of necessary information for emergency situations with practical applications of skills being learnt. We would like to thank our Training Officer, Giles, who is fully qualified to deliver both courses for us, who delivered a very engaging day. Please note that all our optional courses are open to all our volunteers throughout the year.

A team of responders went to support JC Electrical Ltd, one of our major sponsors, with the removal of the mast which had held our Detling repeater, part of our Kent wide radio network. A new mast will soon be mounted in a different location to hold a new repeater to improve coverage in this part of Kent.

We were pleased to loan our air shelter to Kent Search and Rescue, for their annual Kent Charity Trek. The trek is a walking challenge, which gives an opportunity to support Kent-based charities whilst exploring the very best of our county. The air shelter was erected in the early morning at White Horse Wood Country Park, Thurnham, for those completing the 25k challenge, whilst others went on to complete a 50k walk.

This week saw 11 of our responders attend Chainsaw Support training, given by one of our fully trained chainsaw operatives. Training covered amongst other key points, how to work safely alongside a chainsaw operative; how to communicate safely; where to stand and what to be aware of; working on slopes along with the dangers of root balls. Following the theory session the team headed out, armed with brand new orange whistles, to join 3 of our chainsaw operatives to put into practise what had been learnt during the session. Conveniently an additional tree had fallen earlier in the day to join two other trees which had fallen previously. Working in teams with a chainsaw operative for each team, the trees were removed from blocking the trackways at Ashtree Farm. We are very grateful to The Wright Event, one of our major sponsors, for allowing the training to take place at their venue.

At 05:20 this morning, South East 4x4 Response Control received a call from Kent Police to assist with moving a somersaulted vehicle from a farmer's crop field following an RTA in the Barming area. Two responders were deployed to the scene to assist first with rolling the vehicle from it's side to the right way up. The vehicle was then winched through the crop following the path of the collision to a point where traction assistance from an alternative 4x4 took over to move it along a farm track to a hard standing area at the entrance of the field. From there the recovery team were able to load the vehicle onto their recovery truck. Our responders headed to work at 08:15. An interesting start to the week!

Two responders have been out supporting Kent Police and Kent Search and Rescue with transportation of their search teams in the Kemsing area.

At our AGM last night, the Golden Shackle was awarded to Brian O'Bray, a responder, who had gone to the aid of a member who had two flat tyres on the same side of a trailer carrying sheep, close to the intersection of the M26 to the M20. Our responder collected two old wheels from another member's house so that wheels could be changed and the sheep could continue their journey to home, all be it rather slowly.

South East 4x4 Response supported the Heart of Kent Hospice Bluebell walk today by manning 5 of the 13 marshal points along with transporting a number of marshals to and from their stations. Whilst a misty start to the day, the sun soon came out to make an enjoyable event.

Responders were out supporting Kent Search and Rescue with transportation of their search teams in the Tonbridge area.