This was a course run by Mr Wright.
I believe it was to be aimed at the less academic pupils of which I was one!
I had been encouraged to stay on into year 5, which at that time was a new option.
Anyway, these classes involved all the necessary skills needed to go camping and survive.
We practised the art of basic cooking in the hut used by Mr Wright for
all his normal book binding/basket making etc.
It was that remote hut which, to get to, you had to cross part of the girls' play
ground - quite a risk to get so close to the opposite sex!
This did have its advantages as you might catch sight of a female you had desires for.
Anyway, part of this camping activities also took us across the park (the area which
the PE staff sent you to run around whilst they enjoyed a cup of tea) to
the school playing field where we practised pitching tents and other camping skills.
During the summer term we went camping in the wilds of the great outdoors.
We had to set up camp with a pal, in my case Norman Griffin, and make racks
and means of storage from bits of twig and branch.
The idea was to impress Mr Wright and the other teachers of our camp skills as there
were prizes to be won!
Our cooking, cleaning and hygiene were all inspected.
We went hiking around the country lanes and I think the village of Wendover
[see photos].
At the end of the camp the team results were announced and we came second -
beaten by a good friend, Adrian Mole.
I won a rucksack which was presented to me during assembly.
I was scared stiff having to go up on the stage to receive my prize from Mr Whiting.
Peter Graham 1958-63
Albert Barclay with the team
