Dunkery Beacon, Exmoor.
This year our summer camp was based just outside Minehead in Somerset. There were representations from all three troops from 1st Crowborough. The site itself was off the A396 southwest of Timberscombe not far from the historic town of Dunster.
During the week, Paul introduced Gadget of the Day trying to give the scouts ideas to help them during the week. Many interesting gadgets were built including Paul’s pride and joy kitchen dresser with incorporated wash bowl stand. The scouts and Leaders were given the task of creating “useful” gadgets. Some of the more interesting ones included a Poo stick, a teabag stick (keeping those dangerous pyramid bags safe) and even a Random Pointless Poll.
Saturday, we met at Scout Hut and left at 8:10. The journey down was quite busy especially on the A303 which meant we took an alternative route. We arrived at the campsite later that afternoon and started setting up the campsite.
Sunday started off with breakfast then Scouts Own. The theme of Scouts own was Team Spirit and working together. The afternoon was the start of our activities. We travelled down to Taunton to go canoeing on the Taunton Canal. After the canoeing took a walk along the canal and joined in playing musical instruments from Java We had a variety of instruments to choose from such as metallophones, xylophones, drums and gongs which produce a deep resonant and mystical sound.
Monday we were up early and into Minehead to pick up Cycles and set off on a circular ride offroad across the moor and the back down to our campsite. We then set off to the historic town of Dunster for an brief stop and ice cream round to the Blue Anchor (this is a railway stop along the beach no a Pub). We finished off cycling along the beach before arriving back at the cycle hire shop in Minehead.
Tuesday, we started off a bit more relaxed, continuing to improve up the campsite. In the afternoon Martyn took the scouts foraging for natural foods while Paul had them fishing and lighting fires. We had a visit from one of the Exmoor Park rangers who talked and demonstrated many different firelighting techniques and then showed us different ways of eating stinging nettles.
Wednesday was the start of a two day expedition which took us along the South West Cost Path and down to the Beach at Bossington before walking into the small village of Porlock. The final leg of the day took us into Hawk Combe wood in the middle of the national park where we set up hike tents and sampled light weight food before settling down for the night. We had a couple of visits from some Exmoor ponies interested to see what we were doing.
We were up early on Thursday morning having a light breakfast before setting off deeper into Exmoor National park and hit the summit of Dunkery Beacon. Standing at 519 meters above sea level this is the highest point in the Park. The final leg took us down into the valley arriving back at our main campsite just on lunchtime. We had no time to spare, we had a quick lunch and then set off in the cars into Dunster for a visit to Dunster Castle. Dramatically sited on a wooded hill, a castle has existed in Dunster since at least Norman times, with an impressive medieval gatehouse and ruined tower giving a reminder of its turbulent history. We were greeted by 3 soldiers dressed in authentic uniforms from the civil war and were formed up into ranks and “Marched” to a drum beat round the castle with a graphic and sometimes gruesome talk on the history of the castle and it’s role in the English Civil war. On the way back to the Campsite we dropped in on the Gallox Bridge on the outskirts of Dunster. Dating back to the 15th Century, it was used to help pack animals to cross the River Avill. It is unusual in being a long two-span bridge with a raised causeway approaching from the village.
Friday, we decided to have a lie-in with flag break at 8am. Later on we travelled into Minehead, had some spare time in the town before going into Butlins where all the scouts first off went into the swimming pool (yes that is why they were so clean when we got back) and some watched the entertainment in and around the park. We finished the day off with fish and chips on the beach then back to the campsite for our closing ceremonies which included an investiture of Dan Wenham, Tom Bourner renewed his scout promise to recognise his transition from Explorer young leader to Warranted Leader with King Troop. Recognition to Angus Waters was made as he transfers to Tullis Explorers.
Saturday we were up early to get on the road back to Crowborough. We had fantastic weather, a fantastic programme, a fantastic site and we are now looking at ideas for next year’s camp.
Please keep an eye out for details to follow SOON!
Leaders
Robin, Paul, Martyn, Oli, Tom, Sam, Sally
Explorer Young Leader
Megan
Scouts:
Amazing James Patrol CBA Patrol
Angus Grace
Josh Duncan
Charles Jamie
Dan Harrison
Chris Joel
