As part of our monthly meeting, group members took part in a table-top exercise. The exercise incorporated elements of teamwork & problem solving, as well as listening and communication skills including use of the phonetic alphabet. Responders used their map reading skills to plan routes in order to navigate their way through a series of theoretical challenges. Being able to think on your feet and remain smiling are important skills for our responders! Many thanks to the Robin Hood Inn for the use of the room.

Group Members assisted event organisers with logistics prior to the event which was a 'Family Funday' open to the public, with over 1000 people expected to attend. Overnight rain cleared to give a clear but blustery day. Six Peak group members attended along with one member of West Midlands 4x4 Response. The event saw the largest stand that the group has put on, with five vehicles and information on display.

With emergency services alongside our stand, the opportunity arose for responders to receive training in the hazards present at a Road Traffic Incident (RTI) from Staffordshire Fire & Rescue Service. Group members (who are professional/ trained medical personnel) then assisted with a vehicle extrication exercise. The same group members also worked alongside St John Ambulance (SJA) volunteers assisting 2 patients.

Thanks to the event organisers, emergency services and other volunteers for a successful day. Thanks also go to EssGee Trading Ltd and Duty Free for donations of items and equipment used on the stand, and available to assist with future operations and fundraising.

A spectacular day for an event, Bolsover Gala was Organised in only a few weeks, with 2 responders arriving and setting up a quite large stand with 2 vehicles.

A Further event at the Vicar Lane Shopping Centre saw more praise from the general public and emergency personnel as Police officers attended and offered their opinion.

Thanks to the Centre Manager at Vicar Lane Shopping centre we were given to opportunity to raise awareness of our group at Chesterfield, a cold day turned out to be very productive as more and more shoppers were praising what our group has done so far.

Exercise 'Acorn' was a joint training exercise with Yorkshire & Lincolnshire 4x4 Response (Y&L4x4R) and Raynet. The day started clear and cold with fair road conditions in most areas, but significant icy patches lingering on untreated roads that remained shaded from the sun. Responders were initially despatched to assess road conditions on various routes then assemble at an RV point in order to transport a number of persons to another location within the limits of the available resources.

Unfortunately the exercise was cut short due to an increasing number of 'live' incidents in Y&L's area, and our responders finding their skills and recovery equipment were needed to assist a number of motorists who had become stranded in a shady dip with icy slopes on either side. Picture shows responders in icy conditions near Ulley.

Eventually the group reassembled at a local Inn for debriefing and refreshment.