A HUNDRED visitors to an open day at the headquarters of the Severn Area Rescue Association watched rescue demonstrations at its Beachley headquarters in Chepstow.

The event, organized by the lifeboat and mountain rescue station, took place on Sunday for visitors to learn about the work of the team.

Demonstrations took place using SARA’s largest vessel the ‘Joe Harris’ which is due for replacement later this year as well as supporting displays

from Chepstow police and HM Coastguard station.

Among the equipment on display was ‘Swiftandbold’-the latest SARA Inshore Life Boat that serves the Newport, Avonmouth, Chepstow and Gloucester areas of the Severn Estuary.

It was joined by the newest addition to the fleet of ambulances. The Incident Support Vehicle, which features aerials and technical equipment to assist the teams when involved in emergency incidents, was seen by the public for the first time.

Also on show was ‘Mobile 20’ a bright red 2015 Land Rover - Disco Sport on a year’s loan from Jaguar Land Rover through The Prince’s Countryside Fund. It was recently presented to Beachley Lifeboat & Rescue Station by TV presenter and farmer Adam Henson.

Mervyn Fleming, SARA’s western region commander and chairman of the Beachley Lifeboat and Rescue Centre said: “The weather wasn’t too kind, but around a hundred people braved the conditions to visit us – the crew are used to getting wet.”