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IMPORTANT! Please read. Missing Gransnet member in France

(412 Posts)
whenim64 Wed 30-Oct-13 10:28:11

Carol Sheridan, who we all know well as Greatnan, has gone missing in the French Alps, probably whilst out on one of her frequent mountain walks.

Carol lives in Habere Poche, in the Haute Savoie departemente about 20 miles from Lake Geneva. She is mad keen on hiking alone in the mountains, and will often take off in her car to find a remote mountain pass where she can walk and enjoy the amazing scenery.

On Saturday last, she was seen driving out of her car park by a neighbour, and she has not been sighted since. Police have made enquiries and advised she can be listed as a missing person this morning. Interpol, Wellington, New Zealand police and the French gendarmerie will cooperate in attempts to find Carol. (Her daughter lives in New Zealand)

Her daughter, Fiona Conyers, is coordinating a poster campaign, and local radio stations, the Mairie, people in the village, Commonwealth Office, British Embassy and several others have been notified. GNHQ have a copy of the poster and will try to assist.

Carol's mobile phone was active whilst she was missing, but is now showing 'call failed.' However, signals from it when it was active may help the search.
She drives a black Fiat Panda 4x4 reg: AZ 522 AP. she could be parked on a mountain pass, waiting for help to arrive if she has broken down. The walks she goes on are in very remote areas, but she does occasionally see other walkers and cyclists.

A group of Gransnetters has been busy over the last 36 hours, sharing information and supporting the family. A couple of fluent French speakers have emailed local radio stations, offered to speak to police and to give help with translations of information.

We are aware there are quite a few Gransnetters living in France and the Swiss borders. If you know of any walkers who will be in the French Alps today, please share this with them.

Finally, would you please avoid sending private pm message with your good wishes, as answering them will distract the involved Gransnet members from liaising and offering support to Carol's worried family. I know you lovely Gransnetters will understand, and we'll keep updating as we know more throughout the day.

Many thanks.

LaraGransnet (GNHQ) Wed 30-Oct-13 16:10:35

Here's the link.

glassortwo Wed 30-Oct-13 16:10:05

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/_chat/1896971-Missing-Gransnet-Member-French-alps?msgid=42631036#42631036

This is the Mumsnet thread. bags

thatbags Wed 30-Oct-13 16:05:52

What's the thread called?

annodomini Wed 30-Oct-13 15:26:18

Good thinking Lara and quick action Mice. It's just wonderful how so many people are working to help Greatnan.

MiceElf Wed 30-Oct-13 15:19:43

Done it! Joined up and started a thread. Please add to it anyone who is a member. Don't really know how MN works. It looks very busy. It's on CHAT

Mamie Wed 30-Oct-13 15:10:46

Other people may need to bump it though. Threads disappear off Chat in minutes.

MiceElf Wed 30-Oct-13 15:07:18

OK

Mamie Wed 30-Oct-13 15:06:58

Done.

LaraGransnet (GNHQ) Wed 30-Oct-13 15:06:00

Will speak to them and see if it's possible to add it to the thread once it's live.

MiceElf Wed 30-Oct-13 15:00:49

I'm prepared to join if needs be. But there may be others here who are already members. It it only HQ that post the MISSING POSTER?

LaraGransnet (GNHQ) Wed 30-Oct-13 14:57:48

Is anybody a member on MN too and can post similarly there? Definitely worth starting a thread - they're an amazing community and we're sure to get a good response. Best to put it under 'Chat' where most will see it.

Ariadne Wed 30-Oct-13 14:48:11

Excellent networking!

whenim64 Wed 30-Oct-13 14:25:46

Smashing - I think we might have most of the Haute Savoie population covered by now!

MiceElf Wed 30-Oct-13 14:22:51

So did I!

Let's hope it yields results.

Mamie Wed 30-Oct-13 14:20:05

Now on two of the major French Forums. Angloinfo for the Haute Savoie would be good too, if anyone is a member.

Penstemmon Wed 30-Oct-13 14:15:44

have emailed Lara!

MiceElf Wed 30-Oct-13 14:15:13

Will do.

Grammar Wed 30-Oct-13 14:11:44

I have posted on the Chester Gransnet Local Twitter account and have shared the Embrace Age Facebook post on our Chester Gransnet Local Facebook page.
I've also sent a direct Facebook message to a mountaineering club friend who used to live about an hour's drive from Lake Geneva.

whenim64 Wed 30-Oct-13 14:04:08

Great idea MiceElf. Could you mention it to Lara, who is on duty today, please? My messages and email are going wild do I'll go and check if there's any news.

Penstemmon Wed 30-Oct-13 14:02:25

Good idea Mice...

MiceElf Wed 30-Oct-13 13:46:39

Is it worth asking GNHQ to put the poster on Mumsnet too as a sister orgaisation, there must be a significant number of their members in Haute Savoie.

whenim64 Wed 30-Oct-13 13:37:16

Thanks, Mamie we spent a lot of time last night, trying to dentify which ex-pat forum she was a member of, so this is good news.

Maniac Wed 30-Oct-13 13:34:58

Such shocking news.Been missing Greatnan's posting in last week and thinking of her.Do hope she is found safe and well.

Mamie Wed 30-Oct-13 13:30:55

Have posted on one of the French expat forums where she is a member.

whenim64 Wed 30-Oct-13 13:20:55

Please circulate the poster that Lara has added at the start of this thread, if you know anyone with links in France and the Swiss borders.