The London Challenge - Castle Head 2004 Print
Written by Peter Burgess   
Sunday, 13 July 2008
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Picture of David and Mathew before rafting
Let's go rafting!
Before the details of this experience disappeared completely from my memory, I thought it about time I archived mine and everybody else's experiences of a few days in Cumbria. With thirty or so young people from the UK's 5th poorest borough the sojourn at Castlehead FSC near Grange was to be a far removed experience for them all.  

It really was a great trip and hopefully for the students an experience of a lifetime.  For a couple of them at least I hope to think their experience got them interested in the outdoors, as two years later Kalyn Marles and Matthew Tacey joined the Dorset Expeditionary Society on a trip to Kenya and an ascent of Mount Kenya.  I know Hampsfell was a small foundation but as I say, "Ad altiora!".

Environmental Art
Art from organics!
Apart from seeing green fields, the visit encompassed an ascent of Hampsfell, an AW Outlying Fell, a series of field studies investigating local plants, animals and 'critters' and we even had time to visit Bowness-on-Windermere on one wet afternoon.  For me the best aspects were the climbing and the raft building and racing as well as the obstacle course which both seemed a favourite pastime.  For me, the most surreal aspect was seeing so-called street-wise urban youngsters sitting on the ground in the woods making dream catchers, producing environmental art from twigs, leaves and moss whilst others discussed various aspects of theology.  I would like to think that this short time away in Lakeland embedded something positive into the psyche of these young people and made them appreciate that this island we live on is far more beatiful and larger than anything Hackney can offer.  As one boy, Emmanuel Sackey reflected in an interview for the FSC on his return to London, "It was green, green, it was so green"  It obviously had a big impact on this young man!

Peter Linney gives a talk on AW to the students of Hackney Free
Peter Linney gives a talk
One final element that should be noted was that Peter Linney, Secretary of the Wainwright Society , very kindly came to the FSC at my request and kindly presented a lecture on AW for the kids.  I think it's better if you read his side of things from the AWSociety website.

Three staff accompanied me north and I express my thanks to Taz Ashraf, Sorcha Padmore and Erin Manktelow.

As part of the FSC's attempts at publicising the experience, filming was co-ordinated by Ade Thomas.  The main FSC representative who tried to educate the kids was Cory Jones.  I would also like to thank Peter Buxton who gave his time and help to the youngsters.  Can I express my appreciation to everyone involved.

 




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"On Saturday we met up with Ann and Roger Hiley, John Paterson and Terry Gargrave for a walk up High Rigg and on Monday we met Paul Harrison on Pike O'Stickle. It was a real pleasure meeting everybody and we enjoyed every minute." Dave Leslie