My 1st Camp - no it wasn't that one ;-)

My 1st Camp, with the Cadets, was the area below Maiden Castle at Bickerton.

It was in good old fashioned canvas tents, with rope up doors.

I think it was around 1980 - a few names I can remember from back then, and probably on the camp, were - Derick Moran, Eddie Hamel, Kev Wilcox, Kev Stubbs, John Sturmey, Ashley Mills, Anthony Buckley, Steven Garratt - I do remember Graeme Malam was there. apologies for any Spellings :-)

When we got there, we found that a large contingent of Army Cadets were already there - we soon got invited to join in thier Night Exercises.

It was the only time that I went there, from then on it was the Easter Camp at Wimbolsley Wood near Winsford.

View from Maiden Castle

Death Slide

On Wednesday, I am taking my Daughter to GoApe. Should bring back many memories of our antics many years ago, in particular the Assault Course at "Easter Camp".
The highlight was the Death Slide (Nowaday's known as Zip Wire), I've already seen the zip wire at Delamere and although 4 or 5 times longer and considerably higher, what amazes me was that we "nearly" got away with no accidents and we had no such thing as a harness...

There's me in 1981 - look no harness (wouldn't be allowed now)

I say "Nearly" no accidents - there was of course Phil Doody's broken leg, but most often remembered was Eric Edge's son biting has tongue off, when he fell from it.

Stew' versus The Quack

Bet this will bring back some memories, but I wonder if this kind of thing would be allowed now (although was it ever).
It seems only fair that Stewart is the first Victim - Sorry that you're included Anne.

Apologies for the Quality - the clip must be about 20 years old, and has been copied and converted several times.

Credit for the clip goes to, I believe, John Hyde. I have some clips from Dave Manning too. Is anybody intouch with either Gents

Easter Camp...

Between 1981 and 1994 - we had an annual Easter Camp at Wimbolsley Wood (See Previous Post).
Although Easter is at different times each year, I only remember once when the camp was a Washout - Like this year - Great fun, but it was a pain for the younger kids, that had not been away before.
Below are a selection of Group Photo's (some Pre-Camp) - can anybody remember the Years?

1993

1993