I was invited to the Clay Hill Community Day on Saturday 20 October at the Riverside Community Centre in Rosemoor Gardens. I arrived at 10a.m. and there was already great activity with a number of organisations already set up to receive residents and visitors. Outside, a group of Rapid Responders had set their equipment up while the Fire Brigade had deployed one of their tenders and a very battered car was alongside. The reason for this would be demonstrated later. There was also a climbing tower which looked rather formidable. Inside I met the Neighbourhood Action Group chairman Graham Farquhar who showed me around the various displays. Thames Valley police were there with a stand, with Sgt Simon Briggs and Jo Pomphrey, the Clay Hill community police officer. There were a number of volunteer groups, which would be of interest to children such as one where they could make their own badges. There was also a tea bar manned by volunteers which was very welcome and very popular.
There was the sound of drumming outside and there were a number of customers drumming a wide variety of African and other drums and I was invited to take part. I also saw a number of girls climbing the tower but none of the boys seemed keen to take part. The Fire Officers then gave a demonstration on how they would cut open a car to release trapped passengers. Their target time was to release anyone within the crucial one hour when it was generally considered the survival rate is greatly increased if they can achieve this. The operation was slow and methodical but this was needed to ensure that no-one was injured in the release operation. The volunteer fire officer in the car was enventually released and put on a stretcher for the Rapid
Response officers to take over. The Fire Officers were loudly applauded for their work which was well deserved.
When I left, there was an increasing number of local people attending and it proved to be a very successful venture and one which will help to promote better relations within the community and offer more opportunities for the younger people at the Community centre. Congratulations to the organisers and volunteers for their hard work in providing such a successful day.
There was the sound of drumming outside and there were a number of customers drumming a wide variety of African and other drums and I was invited to take part. I also saw a number of girls climbing the tower but none of the boys seemed keen to take part. The Fire Officers then gave a demonstration on how they would cut open a car to release trapped passengers. Their target time was to release anyone within the crucial one hour when it was generally considered the survival rate is greatly increased if they can achieve this. The operation was slow and methodical but this was needed to ensure that no-one was injured in the release operation. The volunteer fire officer in the car was enventually released and put on a stretcher for the Rapid
Response officers to take over. The Fire Officers were loudly applauded for their work which was well deserved.
When I left, there was an increasing number of local people attending and it proved to be a very successful venture and one which will help to promote better relations within the community and offer more opportunities for the younger people at the Community centre. Congratulations to the organisers and volunteers for their hard work in providing such a successful day.
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