Last Friday after school 12 students from year 9 and 10 left the college to travel down to Ivybridge to camp overnight to be ready for the start of the South Moors Rivers Challenge walk early Saturday morning. The Rivers Walk was originally set up in order to give those students who didn’t manage to secure a place on a Ten Tors team the opportunity to experience a similar challenge albeit in a rather more relaxed and low key setting. The challenge is every bit as gruelling and in many ways more difficult in terms of the navigation skills required to negotiate the South Moor. After a two hour drive through the leafy lanes of Devon we arrived at Ivybridge School’s field high on the hills overlooking Buckfastleigh. The youngsters, in very high spirits enjoyed a bar b cue cooked by Mr Day  and a lot of fun before hot chocolate and some delicious cakes cooked by our official new cake provider Lorrie ,signalled bedtime. We all had a very early start in order to be at the school ready to set off at 8.00am.

Saturday was a beautiful bright and sunny morning and everyone, all looking very smart in new red tee shirts and their college expedition group fleeces was really up for the challenge in perfect walking conditions. The A team were Ryan Southern, Steven Cox, Oli Gibbons, Scott Braunton, James Vanstone and they were joined by Lilli Day from Budehaven. The B team was Richard Page, Elliot Somerville, Phoebe Blick, Courtney Jury, Nathan Chatfield and Ryan Roach. Unfortunately an accident at school on Friday resulted in Isaac Burnett not being able to take part this year. We were sorry to lose him. The teams, accompanied by veteran Ten Torers Rosie Day and Marc Day were soon off. While the leaders set off to walk to our checkpoint at Yealm Steps. Mid day and everyone was making good time and seemed in good shape. Unfortunately on our way back from the checkpoint we had a phone call to say Lilli Day had slipped, fallen and banged her head. So then it was a quick dash to Dittsworthy Warren to see just how bad the injury was. Poor Lilli had a very swollen eyelid and a very nasty graze so then it was a dash to Derriford Hospital to get her checked out. Being outside the time window both teams amalgamated and walked together from this point. Everyone arrived safely back at camp after a brief moment of déjà vu when we received a phone call to say they were not sure where they were. This was quickly sorted and although late everyone completed the first day and then spent the evening eating their way through an enormous amount of bar b cue, cake, dorritos and their reward energy drink Mrs Day was conned into buying them as a reward for getting everyone back.

Sunday morning too was lovely although windier and Mrs Day and Mrs Woolgar accompanied the groups for the first part of the walk. This was a very tough leg over a lot of bog and elephant grass. Their navigation was spot on and we made good time to Ducks pool where Mr Day was waiting to take over. Both teams made good time on their last leg and arrived safely back at Ivybridge School at 3.00pm earlier than expected. This was the first time every team member completed the  event, the only exception being a very disappointed Lilli. Once again a very enjoyable weekend with a group of young people we are very proud of. This is no mean challenge and for some it was the furthest they had ever walked. A brilliant achievement!

 See you at the presentation evening on  THURSDAY 12th JULY in the Devon Hall at 7pm.

Unfortunately the Devon Hall is being used  for exams so we are having to reschedule the date for our presentation evening.

New date is now TUESDAY 12th JULY at 7pm in the Devon Hall.

Meet up at Moreton Park for on Wednesday 16th March 3.10-4.30pm.

Training for Ten Tors and the South Moors Rivers Walk is well under way with the first two camps going off without a hitch. Although at times walkers have had to battle through hail and driving rain at least it stayed dry while setting up camp and cooking our meals.

This years event was held on the hottest weekend of the year. Through the blistering heat our team battled round the 35mile route carrying full kit. The two day event is a real challenge and not for the inexperienced as the distance and terrain is similar to Ten Tors. Again our team was one of the youngest involved but apart from some serious cases of ‘chaffing’ only one member had to retire due to a sprained ankle. Showing true team spirit our members crossed the finish line together early Sunday afternoon. Two of the youngsters who completed both this event and Ten Tors said that in fact the South Moors Rivers was indeed the toughest due to the unfamiliar terrain and weather conditions, so a huge CONGRATULATIONS to all those who represented their college.

Expedition Group take part for the first time in the South Moors Rivers Walk.  The idea was to send a small group to ‘trial’ the event and if they enjoyed it we would add the walk to our programme for 2009/10.  

Apart from the sweltering heat and being eaten alive by midges the event was a great success. The 32 mile, two day route was said to be pretty tough but the gold medal to all finishers made it all worth while. Well done to those  took part and a special thanks to the leaders who braved the midges to check point.