Some time ago, I wrote about the art of lace making here at Woodcutts, extolling the amazing abilities of our practitioners.
Since our lace makers, like their works, are rather frail, we expect them to take the late autumn and winter off. After all, this delicate work requires deftness, suppleness of joints (which has nothing whatever to do with unprescribed drug taking) and a good supply of the requisite materials. Balmy, summer afternoons in the garden are the most prolific times from the older lace makers, while younger ones just fit it in whenever possible. Ours of course are all very young as you will remember from the last article. If you didn't read it, all will become plainer in the end. In case you are having trouble keeping up, it is time for me to feed the dogs and have a cup of tea. So why don't you do the same? Have a cup of tea I mean, not feed our dogs. Gosh, you must try to concentrate.
Now back to the grindstone. Let's move on and talk of more natural subjects.
The natural world with reference to global warming is becoming a subject which always seems to be in the headlines nowadays. Currently red admiral butterflies are still on the wing when the sun shines.
In our case here, they are visiting our yellow buddleia, where there are still many flower-buds waiting to open. While the ivy flowers are hosting gatherings of all sorts of bees, wasps, flies and the occasional colourblind red admiral.
Red Admirals were recorded here later in November and again on December 14th. in 2004, but what has not been recorded by myself at this time before, in any year, are actively feeding, live caterpillars. These have been subjected to eight frosts in a row during the past two weeks and they are still 'at it', on Brassicas in my vegetable garden. Even if the cold did not kill them off, why haven't they been eaten by hungry song birds? Perhaps it is because there aren't any hungry birds of any sort. Where have the blackbirds and thrushes gone? Why aren't they eating the snails and slugs, still so active in amongst the vegetables? The answer is presumably that there is a glut of food for them. Everything, or nearly everything, that comes under autumn flora is still living despite those frosts. We still have dahlias in flower in sheltered parts of the garden. How much further can we expect the climate to change, with pigeons building nests in December?
The unexpected is always happening in nature. Two weeks ago I came downstairs in the morning, to find our three border terriers closely watching a very young frog crossing the kitchen floor. I immediately thought, have I slept right through the winter and who left the back door open that long? In case you think that I am joking, I assure you I am not. What will happen next?
The whole of the countryside is still a vivid green, flowers are blooming and spring plants such as the wild primroses are already producing new leaves, while our white violets have simply not stopped growing. Can we expect snowdrops and daffodils flowering in time for Christmas, that is if we allowed to have a Christmas this year.
I am sure that if certain members of our parish council had to vote on a motion, "Should Christmas be abolished?" they would be in favour. Enough of this, we must get back to reality, please let me continue without side tracking me.
My apologies again for the delay, but a lot has happened since I typed the line immediately above. For instance, I have been out to lunch, been to a funeral and swept the sitting room chimney. ( I also had a shower afterwards to get rid of the soot.) So you see living here in Woodcutts is very demanding.
Now to ensure I make the deadline, I must end now. So shoulder to the wheel, but ensure it is going the same way as you are, we don't want you to get run over.
God bless you all, and thank you for reading to the end.
6th Battalion, Dorsetshire Regiment
All Quiet on the Western Front, so proclaimed the title of the classic 1930 film adapted from the novel by Erich Maria Remarque, a German who served in the Great War, and starring Lew Ayres. The title, of course, is deliberately ironic as in reality it was seldom quiet along the mile upon mile of trenches that traced the Western Front from the North Sea to the Swiss border. Even when billeted in the rest areas soldiers of both sides were for ever aware that death could overtake them at anytime for the near constant rumble of artillery fire provided a chilling backdrop to their few days of respite away from the front. And, as the first signs of spring began to blossom in the sparse patches of vegetation that remained in their shell torn surroundings, only the most unimaginative could fail to perceive that an offensive push was imminent.
Thus, it came as no surprise for the men of the 6th Battalion, Dorsetshire Regiment, to find themselves marching out of Ivergny on the 5th of April, and heading in a north-easterly direction to a holding position west-north-west of Arras near the village of Averdoingt. The weather tended to be inclement and on the 9th, having threaded their way through the throng of military traffic moving eastwards towards Arras, they bivouacked in fields in the midst of a snowstorm. Early the next morning, and now fully equipped for battle, the battalion entered Arras and were directed to the cellars beneath the Grande Palace and placed on immediate readiness to move out at a minute's notice. However, as it transpired, it was the next day before the battalion began the protracted task of relieving elements of the 44th Infantry Brigade holding trenches bordering a sunken road south of Fampoux. As the unit diarist records the relief was a miserable affair with frequent snow showers chilling all and sundry and, owing to the haphazard geography of the trench system that they were occupying, it took a considerable time to get all the companies into their assigned positions.
The Battle of Arras had now been in progress for three days and though at first a degree of success had been achieved, particularly in the epic action by the Canadians as they advanced through murderous machine-gun fire to take and hold on to the ridge at Vimy, the offensive was now settling into an all too familiar battle of attrition as the Wehrmacht vigorously defended their key positions.
Throughout the morning of the 12th the men remained in their trenches, keyed up and at a high state of alert and it was not until mid-afternoon that Lieutenant-Colonel A. L. Moulton-Barrett, their commanding officer, received his first orders that would commit his soldiers to battle. What happened over the next desperate hours is best told from the report written in the battalion's war diary:
'At 3.30 p.m. verbal orders were issued for Attack to Officer Commanding 6th Dorset Regiment by Brigadier-General 50th Infantry Brigade.
'On return from Brigade Headquarters the Officer Commanding 6th Dorsets immediately summoned Company Commanders, who reported at Battalion Headquarters about 4.30 p.m.
'About 4.45 p.m. written orders for the attack were received from 50th Infantry Brigade. Instructions were immediately issued to Company Commanders. They returned to their Coy. Headquarters through the barrage put up by the German guns.
'Battalion Headquarters removed to their Battle Headquarters about 5.10 p.m.
'The instructions issued to the 6th Dorsets were, ''To occupy the SPUR H.36 central to I.25.a.4.1 by ZERO plus 1 hour 30 minutes and then to push patrols to finish objective, line of road MONCHY to road junction I.25.d.6.9, and establish touch with Left about BRIDGE I.19.d.'' This necessitated a change of front quarter right during the advance to the first objective - This manoeuvre was carried out with great skill by all three companies concerned.
'The 10th WEST YORKSHIRE REGIMENT and 50th MACHINE GUN COY were ordered to cover operations with Machine-Gun, Lewis Gun and Rifle fire. The Artillery also had received instructions to co-operate.
'To carry out the instructions received three companies of the 6th DORSET REGT. ''A'' on Right, ''C'' in Centre, ''D'' on Left - were detailed to the first objective, ''B'' Coy being held in Battalion reserve about H.23.d.6.4.
'At 6.20 p.m. the three companies allotted to the attack left their trenches H.29.b & d, and H.36.a. for the first objective.'
For the soldiers involved this was their moment of truth. Perhaps fleeting memories of the recent Holy Communion services taken at Mortenscourt on the 8th and the words of the padres were recalled as, laden down with the necessary requites for action, they hoisted themselves up the ladders and out of the reasonable protection afforded by their trenches and into the deadly ground that separated friend from foe. The knowledge that their officers were in the van of the attack likely gave heart to most while all along the tangle of wire and earthworks that constituted their front shouts of encouragement and the familiar sound of whistles being blown provided an added urgency for what they were about to face.
'From the start ''C'' and ''D'' Coys LEFT & CENTRE Coys respectively were subjected to heavy hostile Machine-Gun fire from about I.19.e. and I.25.a. The three companies all reached their objectives but ''D'' and ''C'' Companies suffered heavy casualties, all the officers of both Companies being either killed, wounded or missing, with the exception of one.
'These heavy casualties are attributed to the lack of Artillery preparation. The area from which the Hostile Machine-Guns fired had been almost entirely missed by the Artillery fire. To the S of the RIVER SCARPE the Artillery fire was observed to be extremely erratic. No regular barrage was apparent; the ground for a depth of 2,000 yards being bespattered with shells.
'At 6.40 p.m. a message was received from 50th Infantry Brigade informing the Officer Commanding 6th DORSET REGT. that the 9th Division had failed to reach the first objective and therefore the attack on the second objective was to be delayed.
'Instructions were accordingly issued to Company Commanders. At 7.25 p.m. about 300 troops (identity unknown) were seen moving Eastwards through the Southern portion of I.19.c. This was immediately telephoned to 50th Brigade Headquarters.
'On receiving information that ''D'' Coy had suffered severe casualties, two Platoons were sent from Battalion Reserve to reinforce at 8.10 p.m.
'At 8.40 p.m. upon receiving a report from ''C'' Coy in the centre of the line that assistance was required, one platoon was sent to reinforce and Brigade Headquarters informed that only one Platoon remained in Battalion Reserve.
'The position gained was consolidated and patrols pushed forward towards the enemy.
'The enemy's advanced posts were encountered about 200 yards EAST of the position gained. Soon after 11 p.m. orders were received to return to the original lines which would be occupied by the 7th EAST YORKSHIRE REGIMENT - The 6th DORSETS to withdraw through the 7th EAST YORKSHIRE REGIMENT as soon as the latter were in position.
'At 3.15 a.m. the 7th EAST YORKSHIRE REGIMENT were reported to have taken up the positions originally held by the 6th DORSETS.
'The withdrawal from the advanced position was then carried out by the 6th DORSETS and the operation completed as daylight was breaking.'
As it would later be written it had been 'a melancholy waste' though many individual acts of great courage had been witnessed in those desperate hours of fighting. As the officers from ''C'' and ''D'' companies became casualties, Sergeant Wood showed great initiative in taking over the lead of ''C'' company, his coolness in the face of sustained hostile fire doing much to steady the nerves of the soldiers around him. Also seen to be leading by example were 2nd Lieutenant Eric George Goodman, enthusiastically waving his walking stick as if out for a late evening stroll, and Sergeant John Briers, both being sighted through the smoke from bursting shells encouraging their men to hold to their advance. Then, as they reached the skyline the earth around them erupted and neither were seen again.
Two days later, the Arras offensive was scaled down. By Western Front standards it had been a relatively short, but highly concentrated, campaign and sharp fighting would continue in the sector for months to come.
April 1917, was proving to be a most tragic month for the community of Sixpenny Handley and its environs whose sons were serving on the Western Front. Telegrams bearing the worst news possible had already been delivered to the parents of William Rose and Maurice Jesse and now it was the turn of William and Anne Scott to be engulfed in grief as it was confirmed that their son, Charles, had been killed during the action on the 12th. What is commonly acknowledged as one of the best months of the year, heralding the end of winter and the promise of long balmy days of summer just around the corner, was for these three families etching for ever in their souls the bleakest time of their lives.
Postscript. I am indebted to Charles Cooper. Administrator of The Keep, Dorchester for allowing me access to the records of the various Dorset Regimental records and to his learned custodian, John Murphy who so kindly looked out the relevant sections of the war diaries pertaining to the 6th Battalion. The quotation 'a melancholy waste' is taken from the history of the 6th Battalion, The Dorsetshire Regiment, written circa 1930 by Captain G. O'Hanlon MC and incorporated in the massive tome that was prepared by various authors and published in 1932 by Henry Ling Limited of Dorchester and Simpson Marshall Limited of London under the title, History of the Dorsetshire Regiment 1914 - 1919.
To draw a line under this profile, Private Charles Scott who was born in 1896 at Branksome is buried in Level Crossing Cemetery, Fampoux, while 2nd Lieutenant Goodman and Sergeant Briers are commemorated on the Arras Memorial. Concerning the disposition of the trenches, identified by coded references, I suspect that The National Archives at Kew may well hold maps showing precisely the positions that were the objectives of the 6th Battalion on the 12th of April, 1917.
continued from Aug06 issue The troop continued to enjoy the activities passing badges along the way, John Curd, became our Scout Master in Jan 1957, during the spring of that year the District were holding elections to find four scouts from our District to become part of the Dorset County Contingent to go to the World Jamboree at Sutton Coldfield, I was fortunate enough to be one of these four, I enjoyed 3 fabulous weeks at this event (although wet most of the time).
This was held at the beginning of August 1957. I took part in many activities and met other scouts from all over the world, meanwhile the district were holding their own Jamboree nearby at a place called Packington Park, amongst them were some of my old mates from Alderholt and more importantly four of the lads from 1st Woodcutts, during their camp they were able to visit the world jamboree and I was able to meet up with them.
Scouting continued in the Troop throughout the autumn, winter and spring of 57-58, it was decided to hold our next summer camp at Brockenhurst in the New Forest, Skip Raison agreed to accompany us as John Curd was inexperienced at organising a camp of this magnitude, we set off with all our kit and ourselves in the back of Morley's gravel lorry (good job it was dry).
During our camps we always received a visit from our host district's District Commissioner (DC), Whilst the leaders and myself (having now been elevated to troop leader) were having a programme pow wow in Sid's tent and Sid whilst in conference always liked to have a beer to loosen the brain, or so he said (we others of course were forced to join him in a glass) when suddenly a lad burst into the tent and exclaimed "the DC is coming", panic set in, beer was very hurriedly consumed, bottles pushed out of site, or so we thought, in our haste one was still on full display, we all went out to meet the DC and conduct him around the camp whilst he did his site inspection, afterwards he was invited into Sid's tent for a cup of tea and catching site of the offending beer bottle he said "I would rather have a beer" (all I can say the beer must have done the trick, as we had an excellent camp report that year) needless to say we learnt our lesson and never had an alcoholic drink during the hours of daylight again. Continued in Apr07 issue
There are four entry routes to the village of Sixpenny Handley so, for this particular memory, we will enter from the Tollard Royal way. One would travel up Minchington Hill, leaving Wiltshire on our left hand side. Now in Dorset, we pass the first shop in the Parish selling groceries etc. owned and run by Mr. Read.
We find ourselves on Woodcutts Common, which was cleared and ploughed during the war under the scheme ''Dig for Victory". All the machinery used was provided by the United States of America "Lease Lend" scheme and done by "War Ag". Still in Woodcutts, we would pass Mooreys Sand & Gravel Merchants, petrol pumps, and the village post office, owned and run by Mr. Baggs, who was also the village policeman. and the fastest man on a bike in the west! Alongside the Methodist Chapel, which was always very well attended, one could see the British village excavated by the late General Fox Lane Pitt Rivers many years ago.
Passing through Stone Copse and Stock Corner one would pass Sixpenny Handley Common, which was cleared and ploughed up as Woodcutts Common. We enter Sixpenny Handley by Common Road, with the village school on the left, and are now in "The Hollow". This is the original site of the timber yard, where the devastating fire of Sixpenny Handley started. It has been said that all gentlemen of Handley were easily recognised because they usually wore two waistcoats given by a charity following the fire! A housing development called "Wheelwrights Close" now exists on the site.
The post office was opposite St. Mary's Church, and was owned and run by the Adams sisters. Across the way one could see the old school building, where the new vicarage now stands. We enter the High Street, passing by Church Farm on our left hand side, which was farmed by Mr. Herbie Bailey, and Kittles Sweet Shop opposite Handley House, which is now St. Mary's Court.
The White House was the residence of Dr. McCall, when he lived and practiced in the village. Still in the High Street we would find Clarkes the butcher, (best faggots in the world! we used to say) and opposite was Mr. Clement's second hand clothes shop, in a converted chicken house. Next door was Mr. Froud's bakery and grocery store and a little further down was Leonard Adams, the Funeral Director and Builder. Almost opposite one would find L.P. Goddard's cycle and hardware shop. Alongside was the Roebuck Hotel, the landlord being Mr. Brown. There was a very sad occasion on the premises, when his son Ken shot himself rather then join the Army during the Second World War.
H W Dibben, the builder, was nearby, and then the next premises was Adams Bus Garage and Filling Station, now a housing site known as Adams Close. My grandad, Harry Card, was the local preacher at the Methodist Chapel, now a private dwelling. He lived in Star Cottage opposite the Star Inn, and always thought it to be a very wicked place. The landlord of The Star was a Mr. Sheasby, whose name was taken for Sheasby Close.
Behind the pub was the Sixpenny Handley Village Hall, built from Army huts obtained from Blandford Camp. There was the British Legion, with a snooker table etc. cadet hut, garden allotments, tennis courts, children's playing equipment, where Handley Park now stands. There was also a fire station, with one hand pump appliance; on the site which is a now a newsagent and general store.
We had two bakers and grocers in the village. One being Mr. Saunders, and on that building can be read the date of the fire in Sixpenny Handley. Mr. & Mrs. Budden carried on the bakery until closure, and still live in the property. At the bottom of the High Street could be found a clothes and shoe shop, owned and run by Harry Cooke. Opposite was another clothes and haberdashery shop, run by Mrs. Iris Day - a wonderful lady! Next door to Harry Cooke was the policeman's cottage, and opposite the fish and chip shop locally known as "Fishy Day's".
Leaving the High Street at the crossroads one would pass the vicarage, the village blacksmith and farrier. Mr. Keats was a very pleasant man just as long as you held the horse he was shoeing very firmly! Turning left at the crossroads, and into Dean Lane, you would pass the British Road Transport site, which is now The Parsonage, and Ellis Day's coal dump. If you continued along that lane you would end up at Deanland, passing the Hops Barley Corn Inn. the Methodist Chapel and a Gospel Hall called the Four Square Religion.
It is with both sorrow and happiness, that I report the death of the Matriarch of Woodcutts, Mrs. Win Kirby of 108 Woodcutts. Win had lived here for her entire life of eighty-seven years, in the same cottage. The cottage her grandfather moved into when it was built, the place where her father was born in and where all three died. Both her father and grandfather worked on the Rushmore Estate, her father was the head forester for many years. The Ryman family, her maiden name, had been residents of Woodcutts, for at least one hundred and fifty years this accounted for Win's great knowledge of the area and the countryside in general. She loved the natural world and was renowned for her Herculean tasks in her huge garden.
Up until two years ago, she could be found working away in amongst her vegetables, her numerous flowerbeds and shrubbery, on a clear summer evening until compelled to stop at the onset of darkness. Even then she could be found for a natter, tending her bonfire, burning the day's weeds and prunings. Despite her late evenings, Win was no stick-in-the-bed; she was always up in time to give the postman an early cup of tea. Not for herself though as her breakfast beverage was cocoa.
Her affinity for postmen was due in part because she herself had been a postlady for many years. In her time it was bicycles instead of vans, and she must have cycled many miles to the outposts of Sixpenny Handley, in her official capacity. She had many stories to tell of her life as a postie, as she did of her time as a seller and collector of insurance in the locality.
Her long working hours meant she had no time to watch television and would not have one in the house. On her eightieth birthday, her daughter, Veronica gave her a brand new, up to date model, but only to be told to take it away, as she, Win had no use for it. She just did not want a television; she was always busy, despite having lived alone since her husband, Mick, died some years before. She loved her home and her garden, but always had time for a chat; especially about the countryside she had known all her life. Her memory was astonishing. She knew the names of all the tracks, meadows and woodlands for miles, the names of cottages and the history of their inhabitants. She did not like to be quoted and I must ask her forgiveness for this article. (This is not an obituary, Win would have hated that.) Often I asked if she would allow me to write down what she had told me, although she did not say no, she certainly didn't say yes. A lot of local information has passed away with her. Perhaps she did not always want to think of the past, and if asked by others about their family histories in the area she would often prefer not to answer.
As mentioned earlier she did not want a television, but she loved the radio, as she would listen as she worked. Her favourite on the radio was cricket. She loved listening to test matches. She knew all the test teams and many of the county players, certainly she knew more than me, (I class myself as a cricket fan.) It was not many years ago that she wrote to the selectors, telling them that they did an appalling job. Her favourite player was Geoffrey Boycott, and on his retirement cricket was never the same for her. During the time after Mick's retirement from the army and his death, they often went to county matches. When the England team left for Australia recently, I am afraid she had little confidence in them.
So you can see Win lived a very full life, before dieing in her beloved home, in her own time. She was ready for her wicket to fall, and she is surely looking down on 'Freddie' Flintoff and his team as they do battle for the Ashes.
Now she can see all without the worry of the garden, her cat, her family and neighbours. All of whom are pleased that she has been spared any more pain, discomfort or hospitalization.
Win, in your passing we loose a great friend and a wonderful source of memories, but we are so glad that you are at peace.
Thursday
Finally, the time had arrived for our Summer Camp. We had been getting the tents and camping kit ready for weeks, and we were now ready to go.
It was an early start for all of us, having to leave Sixpenny Handley at 4 in the morning ready to catch the ferry from Weymouth at 6am. We left Weymouth just as the sun was rising, it was an early start but meant that we would be in Guernsey before most of us would normally be waking up!
There was a minibus waiting for us at the Ferry terminal, once all our luggage was loaded up we made the short journey to Les Maingy Scout Camp. No time to stand around, we may have been up for 6 hours already but we had a camp site still to build. The tents which all the scouts would be sleeping in went up first. Rob and Andy told us to take our time and make sure that they were perfect. They told us that there can be strong winds in Guernsey and it was best that we put them up right. After the Scout tents it was time to set up the kitchen, the dining shelter, the leaders' tents and finally the flag pole. By lunchtime we hade the whole campsite set up and ready for the week. As we had worked so hard it was decided that after lunch we would spend the afternoon on the beach.
When we arrived at the beach the sea was nowhere to be seen, next time we must check when low tide is! The afternoon was spent playing on the beach, building sand castles and swimming (once we could find the sea!). Not bad for an afternoon when we should have been putting tents up.
That evening we were all in bed by ten o'clock, tired, but ready for the week ahead.
Friday
Not surprisingly it was hard work waking up this morning. Again, no time to waste as we had a day of activities to get ready for. The morning session was climbing on the indoor climbing wall with an afternoon of archery.
Before we were allowed on the climbing wall Fred, the climbing instructor, showed us how to put the harness and safety helmet on. Fred also showed the group how to climb safely and how to use the karabiner. We split into four groups, with Fred, Andy, Rob and Chris belaying on different routes up the climbing wall. Jess was the first up the wall and showed the skills that she had learnt when we were last in Guernsey. All the Scouts had one or two goes on the easier training routes, then if we were ready we could move on to the harder routes. The trickiest climb was the one in the middle. This had two overhanging ledges and really small grips for you hands. Both Jess and Nick managed the route. There was also a wire ladder hanging from the ceiling of the climbing wall. Andrew was the first to climb it and once at the top he had to let go and be lowered from the roof on a rope. Only the really brave had a go at this! The climbing was good practise for later on in the week when we would be climbing outdoors on real rock faces.
After a quick lunch we were back into the hall ready to try our hand at archery. We were split into four teams and shown how to hold the bow and aim at the target at the other end of the hall. Once we had a practise go, it was into the competition proper. We scored 1 point for the outer ring up to 5 points for the bullseye. After round one Chris's team was leading, but only just. In round two the outer ring no longer counted, meaning the target was smaller and harder to hit. Round two over and the lead had changed to Hadleigh, Andrew and Sam's team. Round three and only the bullseye counted, it was getting really hard now but some still managed to score. Onto round four and five and any team could win. This time balloons were pinned to the target and it was 20 points if you burst one. After the fifth round the scores were totalled up and Hadleigh, Andrew and Sam's team just managed to win, the others were very close behind.
Back to the campsite and a quick game of rounders, just in case any of us had any energy left! Tea for the night was fish and chips at Cobo beach. It was about a mile and a half walk to the beach. The chips were ordered and we ate them leaning against the sea wall and watching the waves break on the beach. It was a slower walk back to camp as we were full up with fish and chips. A couple of games of cards in the mess tent and it was off to bed, ready for another day of activities tomorrow.
Saturday
Today was our first chance to go into town and buy presents for our family and friends at home. First it was a tour of Castle Cornet, this is the large Castle that guards the entrance to the harbour of St Peter Port. When in the Castle we split into groups and looked around the museums, with information on the Castle, life on the island and about Guernseys' RAF squadron.
We all met back at the large cannon in the middle of the Castle. At midday the cannon is fired. We all waited with our cameras for the moment that the cannon fires and a large cloud of smoke comes from the barrel. As the cannon fired we all jumped and managed to get great photographs of the sky.
After lunch, we were left to wander round the town by ourselves and look for postcards to send home. After an hour we met back up and jumped on a bus to Beau Sejour leisure centre for a swim and a play on the large flumes.
It was back to camp and time to light the fire ready for a barbecue. Once we had eaten and done all the washing up we piled more wood on the fire and sat there until gone midnight, telling jokes and stories and watching out for shooting stars. Kate won as she saw 15 shooting stars.
Sunday
After the late night last night we were allowed a lie in. We woke to the smell of sizzling bacon and sausages. Nick R had woken up early and cooked us all breakfast. Sunday was meant to be a lazy day, resting around the camp and recharging our batteries for the coming days. However, the Leaders had organised a surprise activity for after lunch. They would not tell us what it was, not even a slight hint. We walked for about two miles until we arrived at the Guernsey Candle Centre. Nick M had walked all the way to the centre in his wetsuit, you will have to ask one of the Scouts why, as it is a very long story!
The activity was to carve candles for friends or family at home. To make the candle you had to dip the wick in hot wax and then cold water. This was repeated 30-45 times until the candle was large enough to carve. The wax was still warm and could be carved and twisted into loads of shapes. Once finished the candle was left to cool and set fully.
When we had finished the candle carving we headed back to the site. Rob went to the ferry terminal to pick up Denise and Burt who were joining us for the rest of the camp.
The rest of the day was very relaxing, reading newspapers, playing Frisbee and generally chilling. Tomorrow was going to be a day of being tourists and seeing some of the attractions of Guernsey
Monday
After breakfast we made our way to the bus stop and jumped on the Island Tour bus, this was going to take us around the coast of the island and to parts that we had not yet seen. It then headed inland toward the airport. This is where we got off and started our walk towards the Occupation Museum. The museum tells the history of when Guernsey was occupied during the Second World War and the life of the islanders whilst living under German rule. The museum had exhibits from around the island and a full size street, complete with war time fire engine. It was really interesting seeing photographs of parts of the island that we had visited and the beaches that we had played on, but with soldiers and fortifications on them.
From the Occupation Museum we walked a short distance to the Little Chapel. The Little Chapel was covered in small pieces of broken plates and shell and only about ten of us could fit into it at anytime. After eating lunch at the Chapel we moved onto the clock makers and watched them making Grand Father Clocks. We made sure that we did not touch anything as it was all very expensive.
We then walked on to the Under Ground Hospital to continue discovering about Guernsey in World War Two. The hospital was built to treat wounded soldiers and we walked around rooms that were built as operating theatres and wards. It was slightly eerie seeing imprints of soldier's boots in the concrete floor that had been there for over 60 years. In one of the tunnels there were cuttings from newspapers. One article instructed all children on the Island to prepare for evacuation to England and listed the few items that they were allowed to take with them. This was weird as the children were the same age as us.
After a day of exploring it was back to camp and time for an early night, tomorrow was going to be our most adventurous yet.
Tuesday
We woke to the first rain and strong wind of the week. This was a real shame as we were meant to be canoeing and climbing today.
A quick check of the weather forecast confirmed that there would be no canoeing today as the wind was just too strong and the waves would have been too big. Not to worry, we were up early and whilst having breakfast Andy and Rob came up with a plan for the day to make sure that we did not miss anything.
It was back on the bus and into town. Firstly we visited the aquarium in St Peter Port. The aquarium had many tropical fish as well as fish, crabs and lobsters that could be found around the coast of Guernsey. It was then a short walk back into town and a chance to buy the pressies we had seen earlier in the week.
After lunch we made our way through town and the parks and to the Victoria Tower. This tower overlooks the whole of St Peter Port and when we made it to the top (after a very large spiral staircase) we could see across to the other side of the island. After looking really hard Lauren found the campsite.
From the tower it was a short walk to the leisure centre. As we enjoyed the swimming so much last time we decided to go again and for those that had not washed all week it was a second chance for them to have a shower.
Back to the campsite, and time for tea. Tonight Kelly cooked us all vegetarian stir fry, some Scouts said this was their favourite meal for the whole week. Off to bed - hoping that the weather was better in the morning.
Wednesday
Once at the beach we split into two groups, those that had canoed before and those that had never held a paddle. The ones that had not canoed went in the water first, after a quick lesson on how to get in and out of the canoe, how to hold the paddle and what to do if you capsized. Once in we were shown how to paddle forward, then in a straight line and finally how to go backward. We then paddled as a group across the bay and around twp fishing boats. We then had to form a raft and hold tightly onto one another's canoe. This is when it got interesting! The instructor told Andrew to get out of his canoe, and walk along the other canoes and back round to his place. Andrew got about three quarters of the way round and then fell in the sea. A couple more of us had a go, but before we knew it was time to paddle back to shore and let the second group have a go.
The second group were more experienced, so there was no need to show them the basics. After checking that everyone was confident and safe in the canoes (and after Jess falling in twice) the group headed off around the edge of the bay and into open water. The first challenge was to paddle over the harbour wall. The tide was dropping and you had to catch the wave just right to carry you over the wall. Rob and Andy both got stuck, we reckon it was because they had eaten too much all week. The group then paddled to two rocks that forced the waves together, you had to paddle fast between the rocks and if judged right you would be picked up by a wave and surf the canoe for about 15 metres. This was probably the best part of the whole canoeing. Nick M was then asked to lead part of the group around the rocky islands. The waves were getting a bit choppy now and those without spray decks were finding their boats filling with water. Nick decided to try the surfing again and quickly paddled straight into a rock and capsized the boat. Just as Nick was rescued Jess and Jessy then decided to sink their canoes. Once everyone was back in their canoes it was time to head back to the beach and pack up, ready for the afternoon of climbing.
The climbing was on another beach on the east side of the island. When we arrived we saw the rock face that we would be climbing and decided that it was about 40 foot tall. We sat and ate our lunch at the base of the cliff, trying to work out which route would be the easiest or hardest to climb.
After lunch it was on with the harness and helmet and a quick reminder of the things we had learnt on the indoor climbing wall. This was a bit different because the hand holds weren't colour coded to show us where to go. Andy and Chris belayed on one side of the rock face, and Fred was at the top allowing us to abseil down the other side. Most of us found the climbing easier than we thought and this was probably due to the practise we had earlier in the week. The abseiling was harder because near the bottom there was an over hang. This meant that as we abseiled we had to jump at the bottom and make sure that we were clear of the overhang.
The view from the top of the climb was amazing, looking out over two beaches and watching the waves crashing on the rocks below.
No time to rest though. This was our last night at camp and there was too much to do. The weather had been really good all day so the leaders decided that we would take all the tents down whilst they were dry and sleep under the stars. The older Scouts that had been on the survival camp a couple of months ago went into the woods and made bivouacs for us. These are low shelters made from tarpaulin and army coats. Whilst in the woods the leaders also built a giant hammock from a huge cargo net slung from four trees.
Our last night was spent cooking fresh fish and steak kebabs on the camp fire, chatting about our week in Guernsey and what we wanted to do when we got home back to Handley. The award for best Scout was presented to Jimmer. The leaders talked through the Scout Law and said that James had demonstrated commitment to it during the week, being the most helpful and considerate to all on Camp. After such an active day we thought that we would have been in bed early, but there were too many storied to be told around the camp fire and before we knew it it was 1.30 in the morning.
Thursday
We woke to the sun coming up over the hedgerow and the dew shining on the grass. We had worked really hard the day before taking our tents down, this meant that we had a spare day. The shelters were very quick to take down, two knots and four pegs and that was it.
After breakfast we cleared the kitchen and dining shelter and packed all our kit away. With our spare day we decided to be tourists. We caught the bus to the Strawberry Farm. At the Strawberry Farm we split into two groups. One group played pitch and putt, whilst the other had a bounce on the trampolines. We then swapped over activities. We also looked in the wood carvers next door and watched them making table legs on the lathe.
The Strawberry Farm was an extra activity because we hard pulled together as a team and cleared camp so quickly. It was back on the bus to the campsite for the final litter pick of the site and to wait for our minibus to take us to the ferry terminal.
We had to check in early for the ferry. Once we had checked in Nick and Chris walked into town and bought fish and chips. We sat on the harbour wall, watching the sun set over St Peter Port and Castle Cornet whilst eating our fish and chips. What a great way to say goodbye to Guernsey.