SIXTH FORMERS' VIEW OF
"Sayer's Croft" CAMP
by Jacqueline Hendricks
& Catherine Pearce (Lower 6B)
"Well, there's not an awful lot you can say about
camp is there? After a deluge of rain and a few
minor accidents, we finally arrived, the
privileged few. That was when we discovered
the snag - staff luggage, which was very bulky,
and we had to carry it.
However, we were compensated for this by
having a comfortable dormitory to ourselves
(with beds, not bunks!), an electric kettle and
extra rations of bikkies.
After our arrival we had to supervise the
unpacking and bed making (involving those
unforgettable rubber sheets) and general settling
down. After this came lunch, where more
privileges awaited us. Yes, we were actually
able to leave before the little lights told us to!
We managed to get lunch down to a fine art; not
only in secreting plastic mugs of sugar and milk
about our persons, but also in leaving the
dining-hall in a record nine minutes, fifty-nine
and-a-bit seconds.
The main entertainment of most of our evenings
was the compulsory mingling with 'the scum'
(alias the thirds), the only highlight being the Urn
of Tea, lovingly nicknamed, Urnie. This was
brought to us or fetched by us every evening at a
specified time, come rain or shine (and there was
a noticeable lack of the latter!).
The main function of the sixth form at camp is
said to be to help the staff, although they usually
end up doing most of the heavy work, as we soon
found out. Apart from the distribution of paper,
note boards and elastic bands, even after the
most strenuous of walks, we had to take all of
the soil samples (which often involved climbing
to un-scalable heights in very threatening gales).
The orienteering was ever worse. We had to go
ahead of the thirds and having not reached the
destination ourselves in the third form, it took us
more time than some of them, and that was
running. Needless to say both we and the thirds
arrived back after every trip, bruised and
battered. But could we rest? No, we had to
supervise the showers (not without a few
selected extracts from the Hallelujah Chorus for
their enjoyment?)
On days when there was not outings we became
entertainments' officers. Sometimes we took
P.E. - involving anything from musical statues to
wellie-ball (our own invention), also scavenger
hunts and sing-a-longs. We even arranged
entertainment at the entertainments by invading
one of the discos dressed as cleaning ladies in
bright yellow plastic capes and wellies and
carrying brooms and buckets. However, this
was not wholly appreciated.
But how did we actually like it? To tell the truth,
it was great to be back, and to think we will
never go back again is a sad thought. Even after
the bruises, blisters, colds, exhaustion and
various broken limbs we still looked longingly at
the gates as we drove out of them for the last
time. If course, we did none of those naughty
things the sixth form are not supposed to do --
beating up the thirds, stealing their bikkies,
playing only the records we liked at the discos
and snaking out of the ancient film shows when
we didn't enjoy them. And if, you believe that,
you'll believe anything."
"Sayer's Croft" CAMP
by Jacqueline Hendricks
& Catherine Pearce (Lower 6B)
"Well, there's not an awful lot you can say about
camp is there? After a deluge of rain and a few
minor accidents, we finally arrived, the
privileged few. That was when we discovered
the snag - staff luggage, which was very bulky,
and we had to carry it.
However, we were compensated for this by
having a comfortable dormitory to ourselves
(with beds, not bunks!), an electric kettle and
extra rations of bikkies.
After our arrival we had to supervise the
unpacking and bed making (involving those
unforgettable rubber sheets) and general settling
down. After this came lunch, where more
privileges awaited us. Yes, we were actually
able to leave before the little lights told us to!
We managed to get lunch down to a fine art; not
only in secreting plastic mugs of sugar and milk
about our persons, but also in leaving the
dining-hall in a record nine minutes, fifty-nine
and-a-bit seconds.
The main entertainment of most of our evenings
was the compulsory mingling with 'the scum'
(alias the thirds), the only highlight being the Urn
of Tea, lovingly nicknamed, Urnie. This was
brought to us or fetched by us every evening at a
specified time, come rain or shine (and there was
a noticeable lack of the latter!).
The main function of the sixth form at camp is
said to be to help the staff, although they usually
end up doing most of the heavy work, as we soon
found out. Apart from the distribution of paper,
note boards and elastic bands, even after the
most strenuous of walks, we had to take all of
the soil samples (which often involved climbing
to un-scalable heights in very threatening gales).
The orienteering was ever worse. We had to go
ahead of the thirds and having not reached the
destination ourselves in the third form, it took us
more time than some of them, and that was
running. Needless to say both we and the thirds
arrived back after every trip, bruised and
battered. But could we rest? No, we had to
supervise the showers (not without a few
selected extracts from the Hallelujah Chorus for
their enjoyment?)
On days when there was not outings we became
entertainments' officers. Sometimes we took
P.E. - involving anything from musical statues to
wellie-ball (our own invention), also scavenger
hunts and sing-a-longs. We even arranged
entertainment at the entertainments by invading
one of the discos dressed as cleaning ladies in
bright yellow plastic capes and wellies and
carrying brooms and buckets. However, this
was not wholly appreciated.
But how did we actually like it? To tell the truth,
it was great to be back, and to think we will
never go back again is a sad thought. Even after
the bruises, blisters, colds, exhaustion and
various broken limbs we still looked longingly at
the gates as we drove out of them for the last
time. If course, we did none of those naughty
things the sixth form are not supposed to do --
beating up the thirds, stealing their bikkies,
playing only the records we liked at the discos
and snaking out of the ancient film shows when
we didn't enjoy them. And if, you believe that,
you'll believe anything."
| READ THE OTHER ARTICLE: - Our First Visit to Camp, 1950 by Ann Kingston (nee Patrick). |
| Article taken from the Rosa Bassett School - Pimpernel Magazine 1977. |
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A cold Michelle Hughes...
Group (overseen by Mrs Owen).
Ladies, do you remember our
attempted "Midnight Feast?"
Ladies, do you remember our
attempted "Midnight Feast?"
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