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.

Last weekend saw 30 students competing in the annual Ten Tors challenge event. The extreme conditions in the days leading up to the event coupled with the exceptional amount of rainfall meant that for a while the whole event hung in the balance. At one point it seemed unlikely we would even be able to put up our tents because of the wind. However Friday, although grey and dull, was much drier and less windy. So cakes made ,equipment packed and checked we all set off from the college at 9.ooam to make our way down to Okehampton camp. Bideford College itself had three teams: the 35 mile team of Zo Gardner (team leader), Aiden Toase, James Vanstone, Lilli Day, Steven Cox and Scott Braunton. the 45 milers Robbie Murray ( team leader), Alice Allin, Joe Trapnell, Aaron Rowland Jack, Blight and Cameron Weir and the hard core 55 milers ,Joe Baker, Dan Talbot, Marc Day, Beth Weir, Edward Gibbett and Ben Tolley. For this very special group of young people this event was to mark the end of an era, having walked together for 5 years and taken part in and successfully completed five Ten Tors challenges together. Dartmoor chose this weekend to throw its hottest, boggiest self at the competitors but despite these challenging conditions all three teams successfully completed the challenge with only 2 fallouts.

Also taking part for the Bideford Youth Network 35 mile team were Robert Herman (team Leader),Christian Hocking, Elliot Somerville, Alex Vizor, Richard Page, and Isaac Burnett. The 45 mile team  Alex Clarke, Connor Allsop, Drew Mackenzie, Matthew Branch, Alex Ferriday and Miles Lemmer. Unfortunately the 35 mile group were reduced to 3 people following injury and blisters and completed the event after joining up with the Bideford College 35 mile team who happened to be walking the same route. The 45 milers too lost one team member to injury but completed the event with the five remaining team members in good time.

CONGRATULATIONS to those who completed this year’s Ten Tors it was a tough one. After months of training you had your chance to shine and that you did. Your leaders, your college, families and friends are all so very proud of you but most of all you should be proud of yourself, YOU DID IT!!!!!

PRESENTATION EVENING – Thursday 12th July at 7pm in the Devon Hall

All was going so well!!!

The weather was perfect, unusually warm for the time of year. All groups were ready and started on time at 08.00.  At the Preyway Head check point the 45-55ers came through looking strong but the College 35 team were close behind. No sooner they had left and the Network 35 team came into sight. The final group to check in were a mix of  Y9′s  and four Y11 taking part as a day walk only accompanied by the leaders who were sweeping the route. So far so good!!!

At Brendon Two  Gates the 45-55ers checked in, stopped for water, slapped on sun cream and went on their way. The next team through were the Network 35 looking cool but wearing some strange sun glasses!!! Expecting the College 35 we were surprised to see the Y9′s next but within minutes the College team had arrived. It turns out they decided to do a little extra, via Pinkery!!!

Next checkpoint was up at Malmsmead where Bob and Shirley were waiting to see the groups. The route then went south down Badgeworthy Water and east over to the next check point at Alderman’s Barrow. With only just over an hour of walking left this is the final check point of the day. As predicted the 45-55ers stormed through at Alderman’s Barrow at 16.00 on target to reach the finish by 17.00. The next group were due in around 17.00 but finally arrived nearer to 18.00 behind the Y9′s and leaders. It was decided that once the College 35 team arrived the groups would continue to the finish together.

Unfortunately this was not to be. Although the leaders had been able to make contact with the late group there was still some uncertainty as to their exact position so it was decided that remaining  groups could not be allowed to continue to the finish unaccompanied due to the failing light. This meant that their ‘Beast’ was to finish some 6k short. However without exception all those involved were capable of finishing the full distance and despite being hugely disappointed they could not continue to Exford they showed a great maturity regarding the seriousnes of the situation.

The emergency services were then contacted to help locate the missing group. Withing minutes the police helecopter was flying over our heads sweeping the area. As the leader’s were in mobile phone contact with the group they were able to instruct youngsters to use their torches to attract the attention of the helicopter. Once the pilot had located the group their position was passed back to the leaders. As the group were well equiped with warm clothes, sleeping bags, food and shelter they were advised to stay put and wait for their leaders to come to them. The police helicopter then left the scene. The leaders did a great job locating the group in almost complete darkness and the youngster are to be praised for their great team spirit throughout.  All was well in the end and the youngsters were returned safe and well to their parents.

Registration meetings are in B12 at lunch time on the TUESDAY before a walk. Now we are into the camps it is VITAL that all those involved attend the meetings to be given important information, arrange kit hire and to plan equipment/routes.

We are going to try something new this year and run camp craft at lunch times and after college. All Y9 and newcomers MUST attend either the lunch time or after college session for each of the following:

First Aid (1) – Tuesday 24th Jan   (B36 lunch time, A02  after college)

Rucksack packing/fitting – Thursday 26th Jan (B36 lunch time, A02 after College)

Tents – Thursday 2nd Feb - (Lunch time and 3.10 in the Dance studio)

First Aid (2) – Tuesday 7th Feb – (Lunch time B36 and 3.10 in A02)

Trangia/cooking - Wednesday 8th Feb - (Lunch time and 3.10 in G15)

Our Expedition Group has been chosen as the local charity/organisation to benefit from this month’s ASDA Community Help Project. So PLEASE, folks support us by giving us your token and keep the youngsters of Bideford out experiencing the wonderful South West Countryside.

This season’s training is well under way. The weather so far has been a mixed bag but you can bet there is worse to come so make sure you wrap up warm from now on. 

Next walk is Sunday 8th January. Registration meeting will be WEDNESDAY 4th Jan in B12 at Lunchtime.

Don’t forget you should be carrying full kit with the exception of your camping food.

Well done to all those who took part in the Taster Day. The weather was pretty awful with drizzle and fog all day so you certainly got a true taster of what Dartmoor can be like. 

Next walk is on Sunday 6th November.

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.