Dec 2013 Newsletter
 We're ending 2013 in the same way that we began - with a whole host of different lifesaving activities: in this edition of the newsletter you can read about everything from competitions to training courses and community events. It's great to see such a variety of lifesaving activities taking place in the branch, and I look forward to more of the same in 2014! I hope you have a really Happy Christmas!
David "Blondie" Fielding
Chairman, RLSS Avon & North Wiltshire
Community Instructors
When Bath University LSC approached RLSS A&NW for help in running a Save a Baby's Life programme, we were very  happy to assist. We ran a one-day training course and the club now has nine new fully-qualified Community Instructors! We were also pleased to loan them banners and manikins, and help subsidise the cost of flyers to promote their course. Bath Uni LSC will be launching their Save a Baby's Life programme in the New Year. Watch this space to find out how they get on...!
Bristol Street Pastors
RLSS A&NW provided free first-aid and  water safety training to the Bristol Street Pastors. The pastors are Christians who go out as a team on Saturday evenings to provide help and reassurance to people in the city. Street Pastors often come across people suffering from minor injuries - everything from bleeding cuts to the early stages of hypothermia. This first-aid training will equip the Pastors with vital skills to help make a difference. For a full report, see the RLSS Blog.
RLSS National Lifesaving Championships
 Three A&NW competitors travelled to Sheffield in November to represent the West Region at the RLSS National Lifesaving Championships. Geoff Williams finished first overall in the Mens 60+ category, Pamela Bougeard finished first overall in the ladies 50-59 category, and David Fielding came second in the 30-39 Swim and Tow. Overall the team brought home a stunning total of eleven medals! Well done guys! For the full results see www.rlss.org.uk
University Lifesaving News
 The university league is now in full swing, with a flurry of competitions taking place over the last month. It was Bristol Uni's turn to host on 16 Nov and, in a bid to encourage local clubs to compete, they provided separate prizes for community teams. Two teams from Keynsham LSC battled it out against three teams from Bradford on Avon LSC. In the end, Keynsham (pictured) won gold and just pipped BonA LSC to second place too. Bristol Uni fared well on home turf, with their A-team finishing in 4th place overall.
Bristol maintained their momentum at the Southampton competition (with their teams finishing in 7th and 17th place) and it was a similar story at London, with a superb effort in the Rope Throw propelling their A-team to 6th place and their B-team to 11th. We're halfway through the season, so there's still everything to play for in the New Year. |
