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Ten Tors Success in tough conditions.
Once again Beechen Cliff School were well represented among the 400 or so teams that started this year’s Ten Tors event on Dartmoor. We had teams entered for each of the three distances at 35, 45 and 55 miles respectively.
Training started back in January on the Mendips before progressing to the Black Mountains and finally overnight expeditions on Dartmoor. As ever we started out over subscribed for the limited places and as the 55 and 45 teams began to select themselves, the 35 mile team potentials of year 10 kept coming back for more. This meant that two weeks out from the event we had yet to finalise teams such was the enthusiasm and calibre of what year 10 had to offer. We could have run 3 groups from year 10 alone! Teams were picked with jubilation and disappointment in equal measure. To have so many in the mix is an achievement for all involved, as the training sessions are tough outings regardless of the main event.
The business end of Ten Tors began on the Thursday before the event with a small staff team arriving at Okehampton camp where the event starts. This was to make ready a base camp for the boys when they arrived on the following day. Heavy rain and gale force winds made the task nearly impossible. Tents were blowing across the camp like tumble weed on arrival and many organisations had to retreat and return later with new tents and equipment. By pooling resources with other schools a new 12m x 6m marquee was erected (and strapped down!!) to act as a cook tent and planning tent over the weekend. Wisely it was decided to put up the boy’s accommodation tents the following morning in storm force winds as opposed to gales.
On Friday the teams arrived to face a busy day. The routes they would follow to visit their ‘Ten Tors’ were released and time was spent planning and map marking. They also faced kit checks and safety briefings. The atmosphere on the camp built and by night fall all spaces on camp were occupied by 2400 participants and respective support tents, minibuses and flags. This is quite a sight and all adds to the experience and excitement of Ten Tors. A curfew of 10pm saw the site fall quiet with teams fed and prepared for the big off in the morning.
The first few bars and notes of Chariots of Fire drifted across the campsite as usual to wake everyone at 5.00am on the Saturday. Kit was packed, breakfast was scoffed and teams made their way to a misty mass start. The moor was wet after heavy overnight rain, a factor that was to come into play for some later in the day, as rivers peaked at around 11.00am blocking the progress of teams.
The teams massed and at the gun disappeared into the wind and rain, the aim to navigate the moor and be self sufficient in their bid to be in by 5.00pm the following afternoon. The start was as moving and spectacular as ever.
Back at the camp staff packed some tents up and played the waiting game by watching team progress on the internet as they signed in at different tors. Back in Bath many parents, friends and relations started the same oddly addictive monitoring of the Ten Tors website.
Progress was being made by all teams throughout the morning. The strong start payed dividends as key river crossings were made of the Tavy or Dart before they became a torrent. It also became clear that the boys were up for the challenge and had heeded advice and were putting training experience into practice. The 55 mile team led the way on this, posting impressive times between tors. The 35’s and 45’s followed their example. As the rain relented in the afternoon big distances were being completed and it was clear our teams were breaking the back of their routes, nearing the turning point at which some would face back up the moor to return to the finish at the camp. As tors ‘closed’ at 8.00pm all our teams had reached or exceeded their stated target camps for Saturday night.
Staff relaxed a little at Okehampton camp and tried to estimate finish times, who would come in first? From what direction would they be spotted so parents and the crowds could cheer them in?
Tors open at 06:00 hours on the Sunday and teams are wise to sign in this early to maximise the time in which they can use to finish, before the 5.00pm deadline. The 55 posted first. 06:00 on tor eight. A clear statement of intent, ‘ we are coming back, be ready’. Again this set the precedent for the other teams. The boys were doing all that could be asked and doing it well. It made for a very happy and proud set of staff at breakfast.
So in they rolled as the weather came in and visibility across the moor was lost. Helicopters buzzed low overhead, scrambling to pick up those who were suffering in the conditions on some of the more remote tors. The 35’s came back first followed by the 45’s and 55’s. Crowds waited in the rain to cheer them in and see them collect bronze, silver or gold medals depending on distance. The event is not a race, it is about doing something challenging and different. Our teams did this well and finished 1st 2nd or 3rd on their respective routes. Position is nothing, but this was pleasing because it was so deserved and encapsulated the way the boys responded to a clear challenge. This was about performance and the culmination of training and efforts paying off. It is hoped that this will also teach them a life lesson as well, as this sort of event so often can. You reap what you sow. Achievement comes from hard work. Well done to all involved in the event and training.
We would also like to thank the parents who made the journey to see the finish at Okehampton as there is nothing like seeing it to appreciate the achievement. It is also a fantastic way of showing your support.
Finally the training comes off the voluntary support of staff, so this years Ten Tors was brought to you by: Mr. Sayers, Mr. Moat, Mrs. Denning, Mr. Anstey, Mr. Mason and Mrs. Hember.
Mr. Brewer, Mr. Stewart
(Ten Tors team managers)
16May
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Two teams, a junior and a senior, with cadets from Beechen Cliff and King Edward’s CCF were invited to compete in Cadet Cambrian Patrol 2013.
Based on the Regular long range reconnaissance patrol competition the teams navigated arduous terrain on Sennybridge training area in mid-Wales. They were continually assessed with kit inspections, orders extraction and delivery: the Senior Patrol Commander delivered an exceptional set of orders that would not have been out of place on Regular NCOs cadre gaining the highest marks of all teams in the senior competition.
Teams were scored on their navigation, field craft, a night time Close Target Recce patrol, a section attack on an enemy position and their marksmanship after an advance to contact through a deserted village.
From the punishing QRF task, well executed CTR and pop-up target shoot the team performed cohesively and proficiently through-out. Their excellent standards of fieldcraft were maintained despite fatigue and it is to their credit they battled through their own. Although the overall CCF Cup slipped through our grasp this year the teams’ performance has set a fearsome precedent for next time round. Congratulation and a well-earned rest to all members of Sierra 10.”
Sgt Louis Adams, senior patrol commander: “
This was the first time that KES CCF had competed in this event but the cadets’ experience, maturity and training (under Lt Matheson and C/Sgt Jones) was rewarded with Gold Medals and some of the highest score on each of the military skills stands. Ethan Foster, Harry Turner, Matthew Wedding, Jesse Armstrong, Tom Liversidge and Freddie Marshall must be congratulated on their effort.
Junior Team commander, Cpl James Button, said: “The team all worked well together and they all deserve the Gold medal for their effort.”
29Apr
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Centurion Book Award Ceremony 2013
Thursday 18th April
Members of the Beechen Cliff Reading Group were among local school pupils who met the author David Gatward during the 2013 Centurion Book Award Ceremony.
Together with groups from other local schools the Reading Group has been involved with the Bath Centurion Book Award, now in its fifth year. Pupils have had the opportunity to read, discuss and vote for their favourite paperback fiction book for young teenagers published during the previous year.
By popular consent the winner of the Centurion Award for 2013 is the debut novel, Wonder by R J Palacio. Wonder is the moving story of a boy born with a facial deformity and reminds us of the need for compassion and empathy. Details about Choose Kind, an anti-bullying campaign inspired by the novel, can be found on the Internet. R J Palacio lives in the USA and was unable to attend the ceremony, but sent a message of appreciation to all involved. Two local authors, however, joined the celebrations and talked about their experiences as writers.
David Gatward entertained us with a lively description of his journey from discovering the pleasure reading as a means of escape on wet caravanning holidays in his childhood to becoming a published author of fiction for young people.
Marie-Louise Jensen (in pirate’s garb, complete with flintlock pistol) gave a fascinating account of the historical background to her latest novel, Smuggler’s Kiss. She also described how she visited and recorded details of the Dorset coastline to make sure her settings are realistic even though her characters are imaginary. We realised how much careful research contributes to the credibility and enjoyment of fiction.
Mrs F Tinkler.
24Apr
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Cameron Davies from Year 11 has completed the production of two park benches
As part of a collaboration between The Alexandra Park Committee, BANES and Beechen Cliff School’s Design and Technology Department, Cameron Davies from Year 11 has completed the production of two park benches. Unveiled at the Alexandra Park Spring Event last weekend, Cameron tried to keep as much as possible of the rustic style of the raw material in keeping with the natural surroundings of the park. He worked very hard in shaping the large solid oak planks to provide a visually appealing and safe end result. He then worked with George Beverly of the BANES Park Maintenance Team (Father of Mitchell Beverley Year 9) to install the benches. Well done Cameron on your hard work. Mr Bakker – Design and Technology Department.
16Apr
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Beechen Cliff/Hayesfield joint Space Masterclass in Moscow
Last Tuesday a group of 25 pupils and 4 adults met up at Bear Flat at the early hour of 4.30am to start the long journey to Russia. Approximately 12 hours later we checked into the Sherston hotel in Northern Moscow and began our 5 day ‘Space Masterclass’. We teamed up with a school from Arad, Israel, for the experience. Despite evidence of a great deal of recent snow, the sun shone all week and we had a really fantastic time!
The trip was a mixture of sightseeing and learning about Russian space exploration over the past 60 years. We were granted access to Mission Control and Star City (the training facility for Russian Cosmonauts). Our host, Alexander Martynov, who has worked for the best part of 50 years at the Russian Space centre, presented 4 talks covering the history of Russian space exploration, the possibilities of manned missions to Mars, the impact of space technologies on our lives here on earth, and the scientific experiments that are currently taking place on the International Space Station, hundreds of kilometres above our heads. We were privileged to have talks with Alexander and Sergei Volkov, one of a very small number of father/son pairings who have both travelled into space. They gave compelling talks and then answered the many questions we had for them.
With our incredibly knowledgeable guide Igor we visited the key tourist sites of Moscow including Red Square, St Basil’s Cathedral, The Kremlin and Novodevichy Convent. We experienced the grandeur of Stalin architecture – the incredible Ostankino TV tower (standing 540m high it was the tallest free standing structure in the world when it was built in 1967) and the imposing Moscow State University building (still the largest university building in the world with a staggering 33km of corridors) alongside small, older churches and monasteries that survived the Cultural Revolution of the last century. Our final day consisted of the Space Museum and then the All-Russian exhibition, combining the space and the cultural aspects of the trip.
Overall I couldn’t have hoped for the trip to go better. Not only was the weather kind, but fortune shone on us, not least at Star City where we bumped into three cosmonauts and were also lucky enough to see a fourth, fully suited up, training in a huge swimming pool to simulate the zero-gravity of space. Meeting up with the pupils and teachers from Israel added an extra dimension to the trip – we all enjoyed the opportunities to make new acquaintances and friendships. I would like to thank all the pupils for helping to make it such a great trip as well as Mr Attwood and Mrs Smith from Hayesfield and Mr Linsky who accompanied his daughter on the trip.
Edward Gill
Trip Organiser
11Apr
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