Last week something very different happened on the farm....!We played host to a small part of Simex 2018; the worlds largest simulated disaster relief exercise. This huge event, featuring a total of over 3000 people, took place all across Hampshire over three days. The exercise is an annual event, running since 2012, however this year was the first time the exercise has ever come to Butser. Two simultaneous disaster scenarios were played out to test and train emergency responses; one international disaster - a tidal surge in a fictional African country - and one national disaster - a hurricane!The organising team wanted to use the Iron Age enclosure at Butser to represent an African village as part of the international disaster scenario, and we were very happy to support such an important and worthwhile project.On Wednesday afternoon a group of excited local school children, complete with fake wounds and bandages(!) arrived on site, shepherded by several organisers in high vis and shortly followed by a procession of emergency aid workers from charities such as Save the Children who had navigated their way to the farm. We even saw several search and rescue helicopters flying low overhead as part of the exercise!It was very interesting for the team to see such an unusual activity on site and get an insight into the world of disaster relief! There's never a dull day at Butser...!
