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| I am centre front-row [glasses and white jumper] |
I've been going through some items of
my memorabilia – photographs and documents – and scanning it onto
my computer. It's amazing what we forget until we see a visual
reminder.
In my youth I attended an Outward
Bound Course at Holne Park, Ashburton, Devon. I've found my log book
written at the time and a photograph of the group (patrol) I was
teamed-up with.
I must have arrived at the centre on
Monday 4th April and departed on Saturday 30th April. Unfortunately
there isn't a record of the course number or the actual year in my
log but based on the historical calendar I believe it was 1966.
It would seem that I was in Drake
Patrol along with (difficulty reading my writing at the time) Drew
Buck, Jim Clegg, Geof Hogg, Brad Hallowes, Bob Povey, Dick Potter,
Dave Ravenscroft, Cliff Swanson, and Andy Wood. The photograph I
believe is of our patrol but I do not know who is who, other than I
am centre front-row [glasses and white jumper] and the gentleman
far-right back-row I assume is the instructor Mr Evans. In the log
book I have a note of a Lt. Col. Frazer as the Warden and a Mr Kirk
as vice-instructor.
I am intending to write a memoir
article about my experience and would appreciate any further details
relevant to my time at Ashburton.
Are you, dear reader, one of the
people I've mentioned; or know one of them? Or, did you attend an
outward bound course at Holne Park some time in April 1966; or do you
know someone who did? Are you able to confirm; the course number; the
year of attendance; the names I have for the Warden, instructors and
participants? It would be good if I was able to allocate/tag names to
the members of my patrol in the photograph. Are you able to offer any
other information about the Outward Bound School at Ashburton circa
1966?
© Elliot Sampford
© Elliot Sampford
I also attended the Outward Bound -Devon, but in 1964. I was also in Drake patrol,
ReplyDeleteand, like yourself, have my log book.
Thank you Roger for your comment. It is good that you have your logbook as it is the only record you can read to remind you of your experience. When the association moved out of Holne Park, on the cessation of their tenancy, the records of the time were left behind and were destroyed by the landowners – not their fault as it was considered as rubbish left by the association.
DeleteHi Elliot, just found my little blue log book and my course was D67 which I attended in 1967. I was Captain of Gilbert Patrol and our Instructor was Ian Howes. I absolutely loved every minute of it..taught me a lot about "Teamwork".
DeleteMe and two other students arrived three days early due to being given the wrong start dates so we too great pleasure in riding into Ashburton on the School's bikes, getting to know the locals and quaffing copious amounts of the local Scrumpy.
Returning to the lodge one evening desplaying rather "raucous" behaviours we were met by Lt.Col Frazer who gave us one hell of a dressing down. During the course he insisted on calling me Capitan for some reason. Best ever "camping trip" I've been on!
Anyway, tomorrow I'm going to The Royal Geographical Society in London where the are celebrating the 75th Anniversary of the Outward Bound Trust.
Maybe we could swap memories and stories if you are attending.
Kid Regards
Dave Machin
Finningley South Yorkshire.
Hi Roger, I also want to Holne Park in I believe 1964, was there in the summer but can't remember which patrol I was in, but I was the patrol leader. Paul Kreuz
DeleteI attended A Holne O. B. Course in 1971. I was a member of Carew patrol. Can anyone remember the name of the cottage where the students stayed when climbing on the Dewerstone
ReplyDeleteI think I was on the same course
DeleteInstructor was an ex commando and a female instructor also.
Hi Elliot, I too was on that course. Like you I have just found my log book & (rather more ominously) torn up incomplete remnants of the Final Scheme log card (or, as I remember with our juvenile humour at the time the "Final Solution".) I can confirm the 04-30 April 1966 was course D-51. I was in Hawkins patrol- "Happy" Hawkins as I recall under Mr Choat(e?)- we always came last!! I have some photos & the names of our patrol somewhere, but as it was a bit of an eyewatering experience I didn't keep in touch with anybody. Paradoxically in my retirement I now live in Devon, one of the things |I do to pass my time is as a Volunteer ranger for NT based in the Teign Valley RIGHT ON THE SIDE OF DARTMOOR!
ReplyDeleteI too am sitting down this morning to digitise my log book, whether it will become a memoir is too much to promise at this stage!!
Best regards Peter Drinkwater
Hi Peter,
Deletethank you so very much for your interesting comment, confirming the dates and the all important course number.
Regards,
Elliot
hi I also attended a ob course in 1975 at ashburton , I was there as part of my time as a student at bircham newton civil engineering course . I also remember spending timein the cottage , pot holing , sea canoeing , and the final expedition over Dartmoor . we had a ex commando called tony I believe who was a instructor and a American woman , people on the course with me were a guy called chris fielding and pete ross , - there were others - its a long time ago .
ReplyDeleteI attended the Outward Bound School in Devon around March 1962. I recall making good friends with Stewart Ramsey from Scotland.
ReplyDeleteFrank Wolstencroft
Hello Just found this site. I was there same year April 1962 in Hawkins patrol (I think). Still got blue log book, group photo, etc. Course No D 16 (f). Great memories of some 'interesting' moments. If anyone is interested I could dig out names. Cheers Pete Campmell.
DeleteDavid Diggins 27 July 2017
ReplyDeleteI attended the Outward Bound School at Holne from December 1963 to January 1964 when very sadly a student & instructor were drowned Berry Head. It was a very tough course which included a 4 day/night trek around Dartmoor in January camping out under a waterproof bivouac!!
Hi David, remember me. James Ackroyd.
DeleteDick Cafwallender and Barry Rowbottom died. Bad do.
Yes I still look back at that course. I do remember you and
Iggy the marine rock climber from 42 commando.
After the course I took up mountains and climbing.
Hope life treated you well
James
Hi James Ackroyd Long time no see!! I still have all my Outward Bound details & log book plus Drake Patrol team photo with all the names & signatures.I was also given your home address back then in Surrey I live in Kent now. Email is mgbgtauto@gmail.com
DeleteHi. I attended Outward Bound course at Holne Park in 1971. In NOVEMBER!!!. Have some great memories. Jumping off Holne Bridge. In November it would have been kinder to remove the water. On the big hike on the last week waking up to a frozen solid tent. What do you do with a frozen tent. We jumped on it to try and make it carryable. Enjoyed the mountaineering and potholing. (had a 28" waist then). Didn't like the cold showers each morning. Learned quickly to carry the food on hikes. It gets lighter. Great memories I am boring my grandchildren with. Regards to you all
ReplyDeleteI was at Holne park in August 1974. I was sent for a month from Renolds engineers in Bradford. It was part of my apprenticeship. Wasnt looking forward to a month away, but it was great. Would like to do it now. Morning runs in pumps and shorts then a jump in the river Dart woke you up. Character building. Visited the park in 2012. Brought back memories.
ReplyDeleteDoes anybody remember going caving on their course. If they do, where was it. Another memory, was the canoeing from Totnes to Dartmouth. We lost our canoe in the very rough estuary and got picked up by the escort boat. 2 lads ended up in hospital, both were OK. Would have made national news these days
DeleteGood Evening Anonymous June 19 2016,
ReplyDeleteI am Tony - your instructor!! MY surname is BLYTH and I was actually a former Paratrooper. June 19 happens to be my birthday so perhaps it was fate that I should read your comments. The American lady was called Polly Parsons - a realLy tough individual but she was a delight to work with.I hope you enjoyed the experience and I am still climbing mountains and leading expeditions!
Hello Tony! I am Andrew Findlay, I was on course D106 Gilbert patrol in 1971, I was petrified of heights but you got me over that! Just wanted to say you were a brilliant instructor and I have never forgotten my time at Holne Park, especially the caving! All the best!
DeleteHi Elliot my name is Dick Potter I was on the same course as you. Obviously some time has passed since your post and unfortunately my diary has been long lost so dates etc I can not confirm. If you do come across my post I am pretty sure I am back row wearing zip up cardigan 4th from left, hope ii may use this picture.
ReplyDeleteDick. Just noticed your post. I am next to you in the photo. Regards Bob Povey
DeleteElliot hi, I too was on that course (different team) but the only item that remains from my experience is the badge. So unfortunately I cannot confirm names although they are recognisable.
ReplyDeleteTwo things I recall from the course that indicated it's toughness:
when canoeing across Torbay the sea became so rough we had to raft up several times took many hours and the Lt Col Fraser who was on the safety boat thought we had had such a hard time we could go to a cafe and I seem to recall we got a mars bar each.
Similar situation in Okehampton, snowing like hell all morning instructor went off to phone HQ we thought to cancel the camping trip. When he came back he said he had cleared it so we could go to a cafe for a cup of tea, having just spent half the morning pushing cars out of snow drifts.
Brilliant course should be mandatory for all teenagers
Hi I attended the OB in March 1970 as commented on previously the early morning run & then jumping into the River Dart was memorable, the whole course, the instructors & fellow OB,s bring back such happy memories. The only event that scared me witless was the caving being claustrophobic it was an ordeal. Such cherished memories Pete Allott
ReplyDeleteHi All,
ReplyDeleteIt is really lovely to read your accounts of Ashburton, I am an Executive Assistant at the Outward Bound Trust and work closely with the Head of Alumni.
Whilst Ashburton is no longer an Outward Bound Centre, we have found that there are a lot of Alumni who would love to meet with people who have been on courses there, and we are looking at potentially doing a trip down memory lane for ex-participants in the coming year.
If anyone would like to join our Alumni mailing list or our Facebook group, please search Outward Bound Alumni on Facebook or email us at alumni@outwardbound.org.uk
We value each and every story that we come across - on our website we have a space specifically for sharing accounts of your time on our courses - https://www.outwardbound.org.uk/alumni-stories please feel free to add your story to our website!
We hope to hear from you soon.
Kind regards
Lisa
Lisa
DeleteI attended Ashburton OB School .I was an apprentice with Southern Electricity Board ( now SSE plc)
I was in Gilbert patrol from 1st September for one month in 1965 Have you received any contact with any of the Gilbert patrol as I would like to make contact ??
I still have log book / photos with signatures on back
Regards/ Thanks
Derek Jones
Hi there - I attended Course D67 from November to December 1967 as a member of Kent Police Cadets. Unfortunately I have long since lost the log book but still have the silver badge. I remember not being ablt to swim at the time, and we had been on a potholing expedition and had to jump from the bridge into the river. In the end they tied a rope around my waist and waited for me to jump in - when I did I was so eager to get out I pulled the instructor into the river with me! For a year or two my photo - looking suitably young and brooding was on the cover of the brochure for the school. Now having just turned 70 I look back on that month with very grateful memories.
ReplyDeleteLewis Tomlinson
ReplyDeleteI was at Ashburton August1974 Drake Patrol. Ill never forget my experience there. Great friends, I regret no keeping in touch. But I did get every ones address and write in 2010 obviously everyone moved on. If anyone sees this please drop me an emaail: lewistheblade@outlook.com
It was Jan 1973 for my course, i was in Hawkins and our leader was Ian(surname ? ) he had a GS dog called Dart, he brought him along on walks. I was a police cadet. The whole experience was fantastic despite it being a very cold Jan. Have lots of happy memories. The course i think was D19.
ReplyDeleteMy course Jan '73 . Had a great time, was in Hawkins the leader was Ian surname ? He had a German Shepard dog called Dart. I attended with fellow Police Cadet Pete Bond.
ReplyDeleteHi I'm Ray Hill and attended the course in Jan 1972 and was there during decimalisation, think the bank I worked for didn't want me there. I was leader of Rayleigh group, and remember all the things mentioned. Loved the potholing but wasn't to keen on jumping into the river Dart from Holne Bridge. Anyone remember me?
ReplyDeleteI remember George from Liverpool, Andy,Graham and Paul
Grenville patrol not Rayleigh
ReplyDeleteCourse was 1971 not 1972
ReplyDeleteStuart McAtee, was on course 67/68 ish was in Gilbert patrol. Tony was the instructor I think, he was climber/potholer. was part of my apprenticeship with Electricity Board, a guy called Gerry was also from Electric Board, Tom from the para's, also guys from Police 1 from Liverpool area, Mtal Box co. will try and find out more or anyone remember stu.test@live.com
ReplyDeleteI was at Holne Park in August 1974, in Courtney Patrol, my name is David Glasson but I had the nickname 'Chip'. Our instructor was a mountaineer named Terry Hubble - top bloke. I loved the course, didn't want it to end, but had I the choice I would've knocked the morning 'run and dip' on the head. I am currently writing my memoirs but unfortunately I've lost my logbook and there are some gaps in my memory, like the name of the disused viaduct where we did abseiling, and the train station we arrived at, and where was the cottage we stayed in on one of our activities away from Holne Park? I remember only a few members of my patrol...'Jock' from Glasgow, Kirwin Searle from Stoke (aka 'Squirrel'), a Gary from the Weymouth area, Barry from Bristol. If anyone remembers me, or can share stories/info, please email me at glassondp@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteThe train station was newton abbot .i was on the course August 1st 1971.i remember the river jump every morning.i have some memories.i,m glad I stuck it out.we had to fill in a form on the last day asking how long we would remember the course.i put in 10 years but of course I still remember it 50 years on.i seem to remember a lot of heavy rain showers followed by sunshine.the steam rising from the road.also the last few days for the walk across Dartmoor was late summer sunshine.i wish now I had photos/memories of August 1971.i was just 16and half.the seventies were just beginning really
DeleteI was there in about 1965, the most influential time of my life. I can remember very little about the other people there but, just about everything else is still in my head.
ReplyDeleteEating raw sausages having spent the night alone under a bivvie sheet. Early morning dips, cliff rescue canoeing - what a month.
Mr Choate changed my view of the world forever and I will always be grateful to him.
Great memories.
Chris Hutchins
My Name was Paul Nobbs [a.k.a.Nobby] and it would have been around first half of 1970s I attended at age of around 18, from a print company called Richard Clays. Our first week of getting fit and learning to read maps also included that session in the woods stepping across those gaps in the planks high in the trees. We had a rather portly fellow on our team and he was not a good climber or runner with less than average stamina and we were the last troop down to the river each morning. Hence we always took a double dip and in the month of March it was so cold it felt like hell. We were severely held back on most expeditions so as a team we always came lump. I remember a guy we called pikey in our group [police cadet] and another guy from British Tobacco too . My blue log book was only filled for first couple of days. I lost a stone in weight over the month. I remember the milk at breakfast was transparent!!! I hated the washing up task for the 90 blokes. The community stint at Dartmoor mental hospital was a real difficult one for me poor souls but a real eye opener. I remember assisting with making easter hats and playing skittles with some of the inmates. I remember 2 army cadets from Bodmin finding it too much after the first week and they yomped off and disappeared with all their kit on their backs. A couple got signed off with chest infections, one guy went to hospital with a paralized arm due to walking so long with ruck sack straps biting too deep. and Pikey limped off with a chipped heel after a slip on Scree slope surfing. The pot holing was memorable. The portly chap got stuck in the pass called the Angel and it took us an hour to shift him. I got my battery pack stuck the the Maggot hole and finally managed to free myself in time to enjoy the final mud-slide. The wash-off at the bridge was scary for some lads who couldnt swim. We were ordered to tie ropes round waists and help them off the top under protest and another chap below pulled em to the bank. [Elf & Safety wouldnt allow that today!] I remember collecting a tiddly wink counter from a plastic pot on top of the Tor Brown Willy which always made me smile. The canoe surfing in a wet-suit full of holes and rips was effing freezing. The final solo expedition drop off was challenging with a fertilizer sack some string and skewers, and ancient primus and flint and green army torch etc., I camped near a stone wall in a prehistoric hut circle base and had the sack as a roof. It hailed so hard during the night that the weight of ice pulled the skewers out and it collapsed on me. As I lay there the ice melted on the warmth of my body, then melted and ran down and puddled wet under my back. I reluctantly got up about 4am and a fog came down and I found myself walking blind across ground so boggy it was like a trampoline. It was near a dam I remember later that day. I was convinced I was going to sink in mud never to be found again. Anyway I survived and learnt so much. I do remember thoroughly enjoying the whole experience. When i finally returned to my village and seeing friends they asked me if I enjoyed my holiday. I found it so weird trying to explain what I had just been through. It was honestly life changing, and it was supposed to be. Kids these days would benefit massively from doing the same.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteSmall World. I was looking up Ashburton and came across this post. Funnily enough I am in the back row standing next to the instructor. Bob Povey. I left the UK in February 1973 and drove overland to Australia. Lived there until 2016 and now live in Dunedin New Zealand.
ReplyDeleteI was at the ashburton outdoor bound school for 4 weeks in August 1971 age 16.5. So different from normal school I had just left.I remembered it raining everyday except the last few days when we walked across Dartmoor from north coast/south coast.do you remember precisely the locations.it was very tough but I would urge anybody to do the same today.we had to fill in a form at the end.one question was about would you remember the course in 10/20 years time.51 years later I still remember.I never met the group of 9/10 ever again.Its sad to think many may have passed on.all part of life cycle.i see you live in New Zealand .lucky enough to visit NZ in feb 1990. Fantastic.Rotoria and the Pacific coast road on the north island never forget.unfortunately I can not remember the name of the town hit by a earthquake in the 1930.s. Still here in the uk.
DeleteI attended Holne OB in winter 1967? when I was at the Royal Army Medical Corps Apprentice College. I still have my OB badge but nothing else to remember a significant month of my youth.
ReplyDeleteI was an instructor at the Devon Outward Bound School in the winter of 1962-3. I am Australian and remember digging people out of their homes covered in snow.
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone remember the cook's name, Janice, I think.
Would you happen to remember me?
Hi david rudder I was at devon outward bound school in aug 1971.so I can,t help you.I would appreciate any more memories of your time in Devon in jan/feb 1963.It was a unique time in the uk.It must have been very tough dealing with the snow /ice and cold.I was 8 years old in jan/feb 1963.
DeleteI attended the OBC in 1968, two of us myself Les Ratcliffe and Phil King both aged 16 from Junior Parachute Company I still have our team photo team COURTNAY. A great start to our journey in the military and life of n general
ReplyDelete