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Alan Thomason - Eskdale, The Lake District, 1959
Outward Bound Eskdale 22nd June to 18th July 1959
Apprentice with ICI who arranged for me to attend the Outward Bound.
On arrival I was selected as the Patrol Leader for Watkin patrol a group of 11, under the guidance of our instructor Tony Greenbank.
Lights out was 10.00 and most nights we were glad, needing assistance to get into the top bunks, due to acute stiffness after the first 2 days, Out of bed at 06.30 for breakfast and then circuit training around the lake.
First week taken up by instruction on map reading, first aid, how to light cooking, fires, then what was called a quite walk, about 8 miles with fully clothed swim in the Esk.
For the next couple of weeks lots of exercise and training all in readiness for the final assessment.
This was to be a 3 day hike as a patrol taking in most of the high peaks and collecting the various passwords on the routes. This was so exciting being alone and fending for yourself.
This is just an outline of the month at Eskdale in the late 50s..
Since then:
I continued the outdoor life with climbing and camping in N Wales and Borrowdale, until around 1965 when I married Val, who also had a delight in the outdoors and we continued the camping this time in Eskdale.
Then in 1968 I took on the role as Scout Leader with the 1st Moore Troop, near Warrington. This gave be ample opportunities to put into practise all I had learnt at the OB.
In 2012 I was honoured with the “The Queens Jubilee Award for Voluntary service”.
Then in 2014 The Chief Scout presented me with Scouting’s highest award the Silver Wolf.
For the past 47 years I have tried to live up to: “To serve to Strive and not to yield”
My Scout Troop have regularly camped at the field opposite St Cathrine’s church in Eskdale, indeed we are going there 25th July for a week. Thanks to Mrs L Stanley.
I do believe that the experiences passed to me in Eskdale OB gave me a splendid platform for a full and exciting life, one which I would not have missed for the world.
So a very big thanks to the OB Trust.
Yours
Alan Thomason
Apprentice with ICI who arranged for me to attend the Outward Bound.
On arrival I was selected as the Patrol Leader for Watkin patrol a group of 11, under the guidance of our instructor Tony Greenbank.
Lights out was 10.00 and most nights we were glad, needing assistance to get into the top bunks, due to acute stiffness after the first 2 days, Out of bed at 06.30 for breakfast and then circuit training around the lake.
First week taken up by instruction on map reading, first aid, how to light cooking, fires, then what was called a quite walk, about 8 miles with fully clothed swim in the Esk.
For the next couple of weeks lots of exercise and training all in readiness for the final assessment.
This was to be a 3 day hike as a patrol taking in most of the high peaks and collecting the various passwords on the routes. This was so exciting being alone and fending for yourself.
This is just an outline of the month at Eskdale in the late 50s..
Since then:
I continued the outdoor life with climbing and camping in N Wales and Borrowdale, until around 1965 when I married Val, who also had a delight in the outdoors and we continued the camping this time in Eskdale.
Then in 1968 I took on the role as Scout Leader with the 1st Moore Troop, near Warrington. This gave be ample opportunities to put into practise all I had learnt at the OB.
In 2012 I was honoured with the “The Queens Jubilee Award for Voluntary service”.
Then in 2014 The Chief Scout presented me with Scouting’s highest award the Silver Wolf.
For the past 47 years I have tried to live up to: “To serve to Strive and not to yield”
My Scout Troop have regularly camped at the field opposite St Cathrine’s church in Eskdale, indeed we are going there 25th July for a week. Thanks to Mrs L Stanley.
I do believe that the experiences passed to me in Eskdale OB gave me a splendid platform for a full and exciting life, one which I would not have missed for the world.
So a very big thanks to the OB Trust.
Yours
Alan Thomason