SARA (Severn Area Rescue Association) held its third annual Golf Day at St Pierre’s last week, raising around £6,200 for the search and rescue organisation. After a damp morning the sun eventually came out, and once everyone had finished there was dinner, with a raffle and an auction, with the top prize being a voucher generously donated by The Whitebrook.

The team from SARA
(Ian Pilling)

19 teams competed for the prestigious Winners Cup, which was won by 'The Showground Shankers’, from the David Broom Centre, who said "We are all still buzzing from the day. Can’t wait for next year!”. This year’s event was again organised by Mary Miller, a SARA lifeboat helm, but it will be her final one as she and her husband have now relocated to the north of Scotland, to be close to family. A SARA spokesman commented “We are very grateful to Mary for creating such a great event, to St Pierre’s for their very generous support, and to the various local sponsors. Planning for SARA Golf Day 2027 is starting up, so watch this space!”

SARA has had a busy week, with successful missing person searches on Thursday and Sunday - both near Stroud - and a short lifeboat callout on Sunday. They were even profiled on BBC1’s Crimewatch Live on Wednesday morning, alongside one of the Police marine teams. A list of their callouts is maintained at www.sara-rescue.org.uk/call-outs.

Sara is a multi-disciplinary volunteer rescue organization, providing specialized emergency services across the Severn, Wye, and Usk. We work in close partnership with the Coastguard, Police, and Fire & Rescue Services to respond to life-threatening situations on land, water, and cliffs.

They are the designated rescue service for the Rivers Severn, Wye and Usk. The SARA lifeboats, based at Beachley, Sharpness and Newport are tasked by HM Coastguard, largely in response to 999 calls.