On Thursday afternoon Sarah, Jess and Steph went to Pelham Hall, Penallt to continue with preparations to install a radio repeater and antenna on the side of the village hall.

The sixth form girls are working with engineers from Alcatel-Lucent to improve radio communications in the Wye Valley and surrounding area. At present volunteers from SARA (Severn Area Rescue Association) often lose radio contact with the Control Room, which is stationed underneath the old Severn Bridge at Beachley. The girls’ intention is to provide a link between the Control Room and searchers on foot and on the river, so that vital information can be passed on during life-saving missions.

Yesterday the girls made a final decision on the position for the service box which will house the radio repeater (the device that receives and relays radio waves) and marked out the foundations, ready for digging and concreting to commence.

Despite the glorious winter weather, it was extremely cold working on the north facing side of the building, but after detailed measurements and marking had been carried out the girls warmed up in the sunshine.