Easingwold WI July Report ...

There were all the usual interesting events available in the WI Federation newsletter, including the date for the Christmas Carol Service!

Perhaps local members would rather concentrate on an International Day, featuring South America, a York Water Walk, or even a Sausage Making Workshop?

Here in Easingwold, the local WI are planning a CPR and defibrillation training day, a York Ghost Walk and an annual outing, this year to Skipton.

The Walking Group had enjoyed a visit to Myton in July, with a picnic afterwards.

August’s walk will be in Crayke, with lunch at the Bakehouse.

The Easingwold WI members are planning to have a monthly collection of empty medical blister packs, which Sharon will take to York regularly to be recycled.

The guest speaker for this meeting was Kevin Hutchinson, the Community Fundraiser for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance in North Yorkshire.

A video gave members an insight into the beginnings of the YAA which started in a Portacabin based at the Leeds/Bradford Airport, with a leased helicopter in the year 2000. 2025 is their 25th Anniversary.

In 2006, YAA purchased their first helicopter which was filmed rescuing Richard Hammond of Top Gear fame, after a serious accident at Elvington. This footage was shown in a TV series called “Helicopter ER”.

In 2012, they had a crew based in Topcliffe and in 2013, having outgrown Leeds/Bradford, they moved to their present base at Nostell Priory near Wakefield. Now, they also have a simulation suite for training with extremely lifelike mannequins covering all medical issues.

Kevin gave lots of facts about the crews, pilots, doctors, paramedics etc, and how everything works.

They aim to be airborne within three minutes of an emergency call, often using “What Three Words” to reach the correct destination.

YAA now own 3 helicopters, 2 for immediate use and one as a backup. There are upcoming plans to relocate to Skipton on Swale, where a new site has been purchased.



















(To read the rest of this article go along to your nearest stockist and buy a copy of the paper)

To view archived news stories please click here.