November /December 2007 - Rundraising and Recruitment Days

November and December saw us attending various local supermarkets on a fundraising and KSAR awareness exercise. With the wonderful support of local people out doing their Christmas shopping, we managed to raise a good amount of money towards our funds. Thanks to all who attended, dressed in their Santa gear and reindeer antlers.

September 2007 - Canterbury Recruitment Day

The weather held off for a pleasant recruitment day in Dane John Gardens in Canterbury. Occupying the band stand we had a visible position for all to see and visit. Following a successful PR campaign covering Radio, Newspapers, Posters, Flyers and the Website, we were visited by a good number of people who purposely made the trip. When the time came to pack up we had 19 more interested names, all of whom took away our application pack ready to start the application process.

16 September 2007 - Medway Open Day

Sunday 16th saw Kent Police hold an open day at the Medway Police station in Gillingham. The successful and popular event saw a wide range of activities and demonstration for all the family. KSAR had a stand on the day to demonstrate our capabilities and equipment, whilst hoping to increase our volunteer head count with extra members. The exposure was also a great forum for us to gain some publicity and increase our profile in the local community. The success of the day for us saw 20 more potential members taking application packs.

August 2007 - Sandwich Bird Centre

Over the bank holiday weekend in August the Sandwich Bay Bird Observatory and Field Centre held an open weekend. KSAR were invited to the event and Tony Lane kindly organised for KSAR to have our control vehicle and a display. The day provided an opportunity to increase the profile of KSAR and to recruit some new members.

July 2007 - A busy weekend for KSAR

The weekend of 21st/22nd July saw KSAR resources split three ways across across Kent to cover the following activities supported by the group.

The War and Peace Show, held at the Paddock Wood Hop Farm, took place from Wednesday 18th July through to Sunday 22nd. First Aid Manager, Carl supported by several KSAR members over the weekend, put on a good show for the group which will help to increase the awareness of KSAR around the county and further a field.

Thanks goes out to those who supported and organised the fundraising event that took place at Park Farm Sainsburys in Folkestone over the same weekend. The time given by those involved raised much needed funds for the group while also increasing our visibility in the local area. As an additional bonus from two people showed interest as potential new members.

Our third Basic Search course of the year, took place in the Maidstone area and was well attended on both Saturday and Sunday. The weekend, attended by several people from our recruitment day held in Tunbridge Wells in June, was run to its normal high standard. Following the practical exercises on Sunday we have the pleasure of inviting 7 new people as searchers into KSAR.

Thanks goes out to everyone involved in the above events.

8 July 2007 - Congratulations to Venka and James!

On the 8th July Venka, accompanied by James Dunn, successfully passed their level 2 Hasty Assessment for NSARDA (National Search And Rescue Dog Association). The test that has a notably high standard was passed with flying colours by the pair. This means that Venka and James are now available to operate at this standard to assist in searches when required.

8th July 2007 - Le Tour de France

Stage 1 of the 2007 Tour de France took place from London to Canterbury through the Kent countryside on Sunday 8th July. After 203 exhausting kilometers the riders reached the city of Canterbury and raced around the inner ring road. In support of the event 20 KSAR members and helpers took to the streets of Canterbury as marshalls to assist with the events smooth running. As marshalls we joined together with Kent Police and other marshalls to provide a safe and enjoyable day for the tour's visitors from Old Dover Road through to the finish line in Rheims Way.

June 2007 - KSAR gets thanks from North Kent Police

For all our hard work in the North Kent area we have recently been presented with a donation cheque from the Police. The monies from which will be used to buy essential equipment for the group.

Tunbridge Wells Recruitment Day - After the event

It may have been a wet day but this didn't stop the people of Tunbridge Wells coming out in plentiful numbers to the Victoria Place Shopping Centre on Sunday 24th June. Within the shopping centre we had a great location (just above the food court) where many people stopped to talk to us to gain an insight into KSAR. With displays including, First Aid, Search Kit, Navigation and Control planning, people also had the chance to meet a Search Dog. Many flyers and leaflets were handed out and several interested people gave their details with the aim of becoming new members.

Thanks goes out to all who supported the day.

May 2007 - Maidstone recruitment day

Following two successful recruitment days held in Maidstone and Ashford, we ran one of our busiest Basic Search courses to date. Held over the weekend of 26th / 27th May, sixteen new searchers have now been welcomed into the team.

Patron: Lord Warden and Admiral of the Cinque Ports, Constable of Dover Castle
Admiral the Lord Boyce, GCB OBE DL