Post by JEM on Sept 8, 2006 23:23:29 GMT
THE BEMBRIDGE BEAVER 2006
*******************************
PART ONE Up to the end of Monday
1st Saffron Walden Boys’ Brigade Camp
Saffron Walden Baptist Church
Whitecliff Bay, Isle of Wight
19th – 26th August
This is an archival report of the 2006 Camp, and Each Camp since 1981 has had such a report with names such as MUNDERSLEY MAG, PENMAEN POST, RUNTON ROVER, BEMBRIDGE HURRICANE, GORLESTON GULL, SWANAGE SIREN, DYFFRYN DRAGON, WASHPOND PADDLE. CHIDEOCK COURIER, etc
14 have been issued as a Camp Magazine, 9 more have been included in Company or Church Archive Albums and not published, but for 5 of those years videos were made, and we now have the 4 latest on this site, 10 people have shared editorship or production.
Over those 27 Camps. 230 new campers have been enrolled in our Order of Proper C.H.A.R.L.I.E.S preceded by those enrolled at the old Battalion camps, Mike & Linda Turner and Andy Willitt, and that number includes the 10 new campers this year.
As Andrew told us in his C.O.'s Diary
#######################
Planning for camp 2006 actually began in 2004, when the camp site was booked, but then the interesting bit came after camp last year, when we had to decide if we had enough staff to be able to run this years event. With a firm commitment from Andrew H, Simon P, Rachel Morton, Lyndsey, Geoff and Rosemary, and with Kathryn Pantrey installed as our new head chef, things were up and running. We soon added to our staff quota Simon Mattholie, who seemed keen but quite confused by the whole idea, Stephen and Phyllis Brown, who seemed almost impossibly excited, seasoned campers John Maddams and Andrew Willett, and also Rachel Muir to assist Kathryn in the kitchen. With Matt Player confirming this Spring that he could also make it, our staff team was complete!!!
Saturday July 8th. 2006
################'
Planning for camp began in earnest on the end of Deal Pier with cups of tea and bacon sandwiches, discussing Rachel and Lyndsey’s provisional plan of activities as well as some more general camp stuff.
August the 12th
###########
Simon P takes Andrew J to cash and carry to buy tuck shop stock….
August 13th
########'
Andrew Jardine turns up to Evolution munching his way through a catering size box of biscuit Boosts….
Andrew saw Phyllis Brown at Church in the morning and ask if she wouldn’t mind putting together a short quiz for the staff at camp. Phyllis always looks simultaneously excited and utterly terrified when spoken to about camp! This may have something to do with Mr Goodwin winding her up about it at her small group.
Friday 18th August
#############
Everyone turned up with there case in plenty of time, and Simon P organised the packing of the bus, with help from Matt Player. This passed uneventfully, apart from the fight that broke out between Simon M and Geoff over the best route to take – maybe Simon was trying to trick Geoff into taking such an absurd detour that Geoff would give up, turn around and take everyone back home again! Andy H explained to Simon that he shouldn’t worry about the weather at camp – you know it’s going to be a bad week if you have to dig a trench in the first hour to stop the marquee flooding…
Saturday 19th August
##############
After being treated to a glimpse of Andrew J’s latest purchase, the advance party set sail for Portsmouth, via the bacon roll stop at the top of the A3, where Andrew J purchased a mini plastic man with a sandwich bag parachute – wow. On arrival at the campsite Lyndsey took charge in re-arranging the marquee
Back at Walden John M woke up at 5am with a double cramp attack in both legs. Indeed as it was unusual he thought it might have been another thrombosis attack. An ulcer had also started on his ankle. What to do? Call an ambulance and go to Addenbrookes while his clothes and a lot else went to Wigat and the Camp Bank money stayed at Walden.So he commited it all to God, put a dry dressing on the ulcer and carried on as usual. Seasoned campers dont give up.
The minibuses got underway after a brief delay, and there was much conversation on the passenger bus. At one stage the minister's love of motor racing appeared to take a boost as both minibuses side by side tried to outrace each other. Geoff said something too about having gone the wrong way but only he knew it. We had a 20 minute service stop where Mr Madds the Camp Treasurer and Camp Banker withdrew £100 from his account to augment the £100 coin in his hand luggage which was just as well as we would have had a cash flow problem as someone else forgot to bring £200 in notes from Walden. Then we thought we had lost our veteran camper Andy Willitt last seen in the Gents. A search party was organised but he was not found, as he was not lost, as he was sitting on a seat near the minibuses. Shrewd lad.
The only real incident was a minor vomiting attack smelling of sweets – Richard having eaten three packets on the way, washed down with a bottle of fizzy drink. Ainsley who we thought was his older brother also ate a lot of sweets but kept them down so maybe it runs in the family, but all through camp Ainsley said Richard was not his brother, they just live in the same house. (Something to do with Richard joining County High in September. Other brothers understand.)
The main party crossed the frontier into the Principality of Wigat on board the St Catherine which appeared to take a South Westerly course to travel North East. We regard Wigat as a Principality on account that one King Neptune has ruled here many years since the 1920's at least but has not been seen for 6 years.
Showers accompamied our journeying but all was well by the time we reached base where we immediately went into the Marquee to enjoy our sandwiches, apart from those who had already enjoyed theirs.
Kathryn Pantrey eventually made it back from the supermarket, We set about laying out our groundsheets and unpacking.
To create appetite ( lust for food) we went on a walk to and from the Monument. Some years ago Arthur Coote's tour of White Cliff Bay assured us thar the Isle of White District Council was going to provide a tarmac road. Well it's not there yet and we could do with an escalator or a chair lift as the hill seems to get higher with each visit. The drought and continued erosion of the cliffs is bringing to light pipes and metal cables and wire across the paths. All part of the changing scene. Time was when you could walk from here on grasslands all the way to France ( though not since we've been going)
Andrew J’s little plastic man got a chance to try out his parachute while we were at the monument. A few people seemed intent on eating the blackberries – Phyllis in particular enjoyed this form of snacking. Simon M was warning of the possibilities of tummy trouble – maybe this explains why Bethan told the CO earlier in the day how she was keeping a spare toilet roll in her tent just in case – maybe a precaution following a previous Brown family hedgerow foraging session. Andrew H's binoculars changed hands severaj times as boys watched passing ships. Some folk managed to get icecreams across the road.
We enjoyed Kathryn’s first meal as head chef, Beef, Yorkshire Pudding, Mashed potatoes, peas, sweetcorn, chocolate pudding and custard (though not all on the same plate). Geoff as Fire Officer told us what to do if there was a fire, and then shouted FIRE! FIRE! and we all did it to the front gate for roll call except Simon.M who did not seem to understand, Still being a minister he probably has special protection like Daniel had in the fiery furnace.
After the inter table group activity of washing up, we played puddocks. The staff won by 112 to the boys and girls 84
This was partly due to Dom M playing for the staff team. He scored 11. All the beginners made a good impression Phyllis 10, Stephen 13, Lauren 13, with Highest Scorer as Andrew H with 22.. Phyllis
prefers it now to Rounders. Look out RAB.
Simon M introduced us to his theme for the week of “What on earth am I here for?”, which included a hilarious snippet of Lee Evan’s physical comedy. He issued booklets for the week "WELCOME TO THE PLANET" to bring to each session and think about during the week and to take home and keep and learn from. During Camp Week to look after therm they had equal status for kit inspection with the Camp Book and our Bibles.
Once the card school finished and tent three had completed their cross country training backwards and forwards across the field ten times, everyone got to bed. The staff stayed up a little later for some prayers and a brief meeting, then left the night duty to finish off the cake and lace the marquee.
Sunday 20th August
#############
Andrew H was in charge for our first full day at camp – raring to go after a good night's sleep, having unwound the previous evening by throwing his socks at Matt and Simon P. Tent inspection got underway. Lyndsey, Rachel, Andrew J and Stuart won comfortably. Tents 1-3 however struggled slightly, but that’s normal for a first day, and we knew from experience that they would improve during the week. John M's cameras all having got worn out he was using a disposeable one from Waitrose for the first time with very good results. Quite a lot of other folk invested in them on the island, of course other guys have their digitals linked to their mobiles. No longer need we be considered mad walking about talking to ourselves, everyone seems to be doing it.
After a superb breakfast of porridge followed by bacon and mushrooms,we were led by Simon M for our morning service, theme " The challenge to move ahead" where he explained to us how he, and many other people on camp believe God has placed us all here for a reason, with a job to do, and blessed us with the skills to do that job.
We then set off for the beach, with the C.O and Ruth competing for the ‘most dressed like a lifeguard’ award. Ruth won comfortably – Andrew claimed he looked like the man from the Mr Muscle advert with a silly hat on. Once at the beach Ruth capably led the swimming session, with Ben N, Sam F, Lewis, Tom B, Matt P and others joining in. Mervyn the Mole was not on our camp site this year but several boys have picked up his habits of tunnelling. John, the late King Neptune's understudy entered the sea for the first time for some years but the big waves detered him swimming. Ben made it most of the way to France on his new lilo thanks to an offshore wind, but we reeled him back in. Dominic got buried and Stuart tried out his new chairs.
Stuart was complaining that the chairs were breaking under strain – they apparently can stand 500kg. Maybe Stuart’s time spent loitering in the tuck-shop and listening to the deafenung music there is taking a toll on his physique?…. On leaving the beach John kindly picked up Ben’s lilo, which was left abandoned – forgetfulness on Ben’s part or litter loutish behaviour? We’ll give you the benefit of the doubt Ben… (tut tut…)
Dinner was great Most of us enjoyed gammon, roast or was it fried potatoes, peas, sweet corn, carrots, cabbage, sauce and gravy followed by peacyes and cream. But Tent One had melted ice cream, salt, pepper, pork, carrot and sugarall togethe Well it all goes down the same way so why worry about the order.
Benn Nardon explained to us what the Camp Appeal was for this year, The work of the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children. (NSPCC) During the week a number of donations were made and at the end of the week several gave in pocketfulls of loose change. A few reliable campers dutifully paid in fines for retrieving their lost property, but most did not pay.The final sum given at camp was £75.20 and 3 donations were Gift Aided raising the total to £85
In the afternoon lots of folk travelled to Shanklin Chine where they explored the Chine and it’s waterfalls, Pluto's pipeline, the flora, fauna, and a weird squeaky parrot thing who went mad pulling out his feathers at the sight of Benn N – understandable. (Pluto is a near neighbour of Neptune and his pipeline fuled the Mulberry Harbour during World War Two off the coast of Normandy providing fuel for the D-Day landings, after that it must have all seeped away into the North Sea but there isn't much left now)
Those left at base apart from the gallant NAAFI staff had a rest. The flag pole was blown down. It took a team effort later to get it up, Andy W amd John M started this year's craze for playing Jenga. We enjoyed a salad and meat Tea with cakes.
Our activity co-ordinators had organised a ‘senses collage’ for the evening, which was educational, entertaining and, at times, quite hilarious. Andrew J provided much of the hilarity, althoughbeing blindfold, he didn’t know it. Ben wandered around blindfolded for a long time searching for Tom in an area of the Marquee that was completely deserted.
The blindfolded Bethan spent 15 minutes quite literally in the dark, while her colleagues completely ignored her! Maybe as tent commander she’s being alienated by the rest of her tent – or maybe they were just excited by the sight of shiny things, pens and glue!!!!! The tents were scored for this out of 10. 4 for team work, 3 for creativity and 3 for presentation. Tent One 8 Tent Two 6 Tent Three 5. There followed half an hour of Free time
Phyllis led us in our evening devotions, where we guessed the constellations and listened to some songs on the theme of God’s creation. After cocoa we gave the Brown girls plenty of time to get ready for bed, and they just made it in the nick of time at around 10PM. Tent One had a long and interesting discussion, with no need of a microphone, and put their lights out at midnight and finally said "Good Night" at 12.30am.
Monday 21st August
#############
It was raining as we woke up on Monday, and Andrew T needed his coat to make his way to the cookhouse for his shift as assistant cook, to replace Matt who was duty officer. He claims that Rachel insisted on criticising his every move in the cookhouse but whatever she said it wouldn’t have made any difference – he claimed he was a wholly inadequate replacement for Matt maybe but he was all we'd got and it was his first day. Inspection was much improved, with the girls loosing out by just one point for the second day running.
Tent One lost a lot of marks on their layout of their dining table so much so that a certain nameless young gentleman offered John M the marker a £3 bribe, Silly names and nicknames often develop at camp. Andrew J has been christened Jardinhioooooooo by Andrew H. Jardinhiooooooo himself, along with Stuart, thought it was important to distinguish between like named people at camp; Simon M therefore becomes Siminister, and Simon P, Pieminister.
After Breakfast of porridge followed by sausages, fried eggs, and baked beans, John M brought us to order by flogging a bench with a leather strap for his "Thought for the day", about being caned at school on his last day for doing nothing and telling the truth.
The motto being that when some people are behaving badly we should take steps to try to warn or stop them For a Christian doing nothing is not an option, we have to get involved and share the Good News whether it is accepted or not. Mr M has been doing a research project on the use and decline of corporal punishment since the 19th century. Since we are no longer allowed to flog boys or anyone else, he has to practice on himself.
.
Most of us walked to Sandown in the sunshine. John M circumnavigated the now well known streets with speed seeking unsuccessfully a camera shop and then joined Stephen and Phyllis's group in the coffee shop and then in a tour of Woolworths and other shops., Several other groups were seen street walking.– According to Andy H his group ‘didn’t want to do anything’. Maybe they were exhausted by the walk – perhaps by tomorrow we may have toughened them up a bit.
Dinner was a wonderful spaghetti Bolognese, with garlic bread and veg, followed by crumble. The people who weren’t biking kindly did the washing up while the bikers set off for Sandown. After they’d equipped themselves with bikes and helmets, with Andrew J’s conference call blaring in the background, they set off for the first landmark of the route – the caravan site. Unfortunately by this time Andrew H was approaching light speed and, according to Einstein’s less well known work ‘Time and Relativity Whilst Mountain Biking’, the caravan site was so blurred we actually missed it.
About a third of the way around the course Andrew H reported to the CO regarding Stephen Brown; he said “Stephen Brown said that if he sees a pub he’s gonna stop, but if he doesn’t he can wait until tonight….. but by the look of him he can’t!”.
Ruth was the only casualty of the biking, grazing her knee quite badly when Andrew J tried a blocking manoeuvre on her. She played down the incident but it sounded like it could have been a lot worse.
The stop off in the pub garden came just at the right moment and spurred us on for the second half of the ride, which was a lot easier going, much to Simon M’s obvious delight.
On returning to the camp site Lauren developed a quite astonishing bout of cramp from sitting on the minibus. Her Mum who had just remarked to her friends about the minibus being late back and wondering whether anything unpleasant may have befallen her daughter was very concerned at first, then slightly mad that she’d been the victim of an impromptu practical joke. While they were away Mr M operating as acting duty officer while Matt was off site, had another cramp attack and redressed his ulcer.
We enjoyed a salad tea. After tea we walked to the beach for rounders as the sun set. Ruth’s bowling was immaculate – Jardinhiooooo’s wasn’t. A number of people took good catches, including Phyllis, which made up for her throwing, which was inaccurate to say the least. The couple with the bottle of chilled white wine were our only spectators, although they probably wouldn’t have hung around if anyone had of won Andrew H’s £10 for knocking their bottle off the wall. Simon led our evening worship session " Planned for God's Pleasure" which included a visual about the farting evangelist and afterwards on about fishing in Afghanistan.
After cocoa we were off to bed and while the staff met for discussion Andy W kindly washed up our mugs. and did so for the rest of the week,, while John led staff prayers which included some favourite hymn words. We prayed for Kathryn Pantrey who was struggling a bit with illness. Kathryn’s job is probably the most demanding on camp and we are so grateful to her for her hard work.
Tent One had to be reminded to stay in their tents at nighttime ( a bit boring) – Benn N gave assurance that they were just going to the toilet. If going to the toilet involves rolling around in the field shouting then the CO was really worried! ( It has to be said that right back to Runton 1984 the excuse of going to the toilets has covered a multitude of other activities, both on camp and off)
*******************************
PART ONE Up to the end of Monday
1st Saffron Walden Boys’ Brigade Camp
Saffron Walden Baptist Church
Whitecliff Bay, Isle of Wight
19th – 26th August
This is an archival report of the 2006 Camp, and Each Camp since 1981 has had such a report with names such as MUNDERSLEY MAG, PENMAEN POST, RUNTON ROVER, BEMBRIDGE HURRICANE, GORLESTON GULL, SWANAGE SIREN, DYFFRYN DRAGON, WASHPOND PADDLE. CHIDEOCK COURIER, etc
14 have been issued as a Camp Magazine, 9 more have been included in Company or Church Archive Albums and not published, but for 5 of those years videos were made, and we now have the 4 latest on this site, 10 people have shared editorship or production.
Over those 27 Camps. 230 new campers have been enrolled in our Order of Proper C.H.A.R.L.I.E.S preceded by those enrolled at the old Battalion camps, Mike & Linda Turner and Andy Willitt, and that number includes the 10 new campers this year.
As Andrew told us in his C.O.'s Diary
#######################
Planning for camp 2006 actually began in 2004, when the camp site was booked, but then the interesting bit came after camp last year, when we had to decide if we had enough staff to be able to run this years event. With a firm commitment from Andrew H, Simon P, Rachel Morton, Lyndsey, Geoff and Rosemary, and with Kathryn Pantrey installed as our new head chef, things were up and running. We soon added to our staff quota Simon Mattholie, who seemed keen but quite confused by the whole idea, Stephen and Phyllis Brown, who seemed almost impossibly excited, seasoned campers John Maddams and Andrew Willett, and also Rachel Muir to assist Kathryn in the kitchen. With Matt Player confirming this Spring that he could also make it, our staff team was complete!!!
Saturday July 8th. 2006
################'
Planning for camp began in earnest on the end of Deal Pier with cups of tea and bacon sandwiches, discussing Rachel and Lyndsey’s provisional plan of activities as well as some more general camp stuff.
August the 12th
###########
Simon P takes Andrew J to cash and carry to buy tuck shop stock….
August 13th
########'
Andrew Jardine turns up to Evolution munching his way through a catering size box of biscuit Boosts….
Andrew saw Phyllis Brown at Church in the morning and ask if she wouldn’t mind putting together a short quiz for the staff at camp. Phyllis always looks simultaneously excited and utterly terrified when spoken to about camp! This may have something to do with Mr Goodwin winding her up about it at her small group.
Friday 18th August
#############
Everyone turned up with there case in plenty of time, and Simon P organised the packing of the bus, with help from Matt Player. This passed uneventfully, apart from the fight that broke out between Simon M and Geoff over the best route to take – maybe Simon was trying to trick Geoff into taking such an absurd detour that Geoff would give up, turn around and take everyone back home again! Andy H explained to Simon that he shouldn’t worry about the weather at camp – you know it’s going to be a bad week if you have to dig a trench in the first hour to stop the marquee flooding…
Saturday 19th August
##############
After being treated to a glimpse of Andrew J’s latest purchase, the advance party set sail for Portsmouth, via the bacon roll stop at the top of the A3, where Andrew J purchased a mini plastic man with a sandwich bag parachute – wow. On arrival at the campsite Lyndsey took charge in re-arranging the marquee
Back at Walden John M woke up at 5am with a double cramp attack in both legs. Indeed as it was unusual he thought it might have been another thrombosis attack. An ulcer had also started on his ankle. What to do? Call an ambulance and go to Addenbrookes while his clothes and a lot else went to Wigat and the Camp Bank money stayed at Walden.So he commited it all to God, put a dry dressing on the ulcer and carried on as usual. Seasoned campers dont give up.
The minibuses got underway after a brief delay, and there was much conversation on the passenger bus. At one stage the minister's love of motor racing appeared to take a boost as both minibuses side by side tried to outrace each other. Geoff said something too about having gone the wrong way but only he knew it. We had a 20 minute service stop where Mr Madds the Camp Treasurer and Camp Banker withdrew £100 from his account to augment the £100 coin in his hand luggage which was just as well as we would have had a cash flow problem as someone else forgot to bring £200 in notes from Walden. Then we thought we had lost our veteran camper Andy Willitt last seen in the Gents. A search party was organised but he was not found, as he was not lost, as he was sitting on a seat near the minibuses. Shrewd lad.
The only real incident was a minor vomiting attack smelling of sweets – Richard having eaten three packets on the way, washed down with a bottle of fizzy drink. Ainsley who we thought was his older brother also ate a lot of sweets but kept them down so maybe it runs in the family, but all through camp Ainsley said Richard was not his brother, they just live in the same house. (Something to do with Richard joining County High in September. Other brothers understand.)
The main party crossed the frontier into the Principality of Wigat on board the St Catherine which appeared to take a South Westerly course to travel North East. We regard Wigat as a Principality on account that one King Neptune has ruled here many years since the 1920's at least but has not been seen for 6 years.
Showers accompamied our journeying but all was well by the time we reached base where we immediately went into the Marquee to enjoy our sandwiches, apart from those who had already enjoyed theirs.
Kathryn Pantrey eventually made it back from the supermarket, We set about laying out our groundsheets and unpacking.
To create appetite ( lust for food) we went on a walk to and from the Monument. Some years ago Arthur Coote's tour of White Cliff Bay assured us thar the Isle of White District Council was going to provide a tarmac road. Well it's not there yet and we could do with an escalator or a chair lift as the hill seems to get higher with each visit. The drought and continued erosion of the cliffs is bringing to light pipes and metal cables and wire across the paths. All part of the changing scene. Time was when you could walk from here on grasslands all the way to France ( though not since we've been going)
Andrew J’s little plastic man got a chance to try out his parachute while we were at the monument. A few people seemed intent on eating the blackberries – Phyllis in particular enjoyed this form of snacking. Simon M was warning of the possibilities of tummy trouble – maybe this explains why Bethan told the CO earlier in the day how she was keeping a spare toilet roll in her tent just in case – maybe a precaution following a previous Brown family hedgerow foraging session. Andrew H's binoculars changed hands severaj times as boys watched passing ships. Some folk managed to get icecreams across the road.
We enjoyed Kathryn’s first meal as head chef, Beef, Yorkshire Pudding, Mashed potatoes, peas, sweetcorn, chocolate pudding and custard (though not all on the same plate). Geoff as Fire Officer told us what to do if there was a fire, and then shouted FIRE! FIRE! and we all did it to the front gate for roll call except Simon.M who did not seem to understand, Still being a minister he probably has special protection like Daniel had in the fiery furnace.
After the inter table group activity of washing up, we played puddocks. The staff won by 112 to the boys and girls 84
This was partly due to Dom M playing for the staff team. He scored 11. All the beginners made a good impression Phyllis 10, Stephen 13, Lauren 13, with Highest Scorer as Andrew H with 22.. Phyllis
prefers it now to Rounders. Look out RAB.
Simon M introduced us to his theme for the week of “What on earth am I here for?”, which included a hilarious snippet of Lee Evan’s physical comedy. He issued booklets for the week "WELCOME TO THE PLANET" to bring to each session and think about during the week and to take home and keep and learn from. During Camp Week to look after therm they had equal status for kit inspection with the Camp Book and our Bibles.
Once the card school finished and tent three had completed their cross country training backwards and forwards across the field ten times, everyone got to bed. The staff stayed up a little later for some prayers and a brief meeting, then left the night duty to finish off the cake and lace the marquee.
Sunday 20th August
#############
Andrew H was in charge for our first full day at camp – raring to go after a good night's sleep, having unwound the previous evening by throwing his socks at Matt and Simon P. Tent inspection got underway. Lyndsey, Rachel, Andrew J and Stuart won comfortably. Tents 1-3 however struggled slightly, but that’s normal for a first day, and we knew from experience that they would improve during the week. John M's cameras all having got worn out he was using a disposeable one from Waitrose for the first time with very good results. Quite a lot of other folk invested in them on the island, of course other guys have their digitals linked to their mobiles. No longer need we be considered mad walking about talking to ourselves, everyone seems to be doing it.
After a superb breakfast of porridge followed by bacon and mushrooms,we were led by Simon M for our morning service, theme " The challenge to move ahead" where he explained to us how he, and many other people on camp believe God has placed us all here for a reason, with a job to do, and blessed us with the skills to do that job.
We then set off for the beach, with the C.O and Ruth competing for the ‘most dressed like a lifeguard’ award. Ruth won comfortably – Andrew claimed he looked like the man from the Mr Muscle advert with a silly hat on. Once at the beach Ruth capably led the swimming session, with Ben N, Sam F, Lewis, Tom B, Matt P and others joining in. Mervyn the Mole was not on our camp site this year but several boys have picked up his habits of tunnelling. John, the late King Neptune's understudy entered the sea for the first time for some years but the big waves detered him swimming. Ben made it most of the way to France on his new lilo thanks to an offshore wind, but we reeled him back in. Dominic got buried and Stuart tried out his new chairs.
Stuart was complaining that the chairs were breaking under strain – they apparently can stand 500kg. Maybe Stuart’s time spent loitering in the tuck-shop and listening to the deafenung music there is taking a toll on his physique?…. On leaving the beach John kindly picked up Ben’s lilo, which was left abandoned – forgetfulness on Ben’s part or litter loutish behaviour? We’ll give you the benefit of the doubt Ben… (tut tut…)
Dinner was great Most of us enjoyed gammon, roast or was it fried potatoes, peas, sweet corn, carrots, cabbage, sauce and gravy followed by peacyes and cream. But Tent One had melted ice cream, salt, pepper, pork, carrot and sugarall togethe Well it all goes down the same way so why worry about the order.
Benn Nardon explained to us what the Camp Appeal was for this year, The work of the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children. (NSPCC) During the week a number of donations were made and at the end of the week several gave in pocketfulls of loose change. A few reliable campers dutifully paid in fines for retrieving their lost property, but most did not pay.The final sum given at camp was £75.20 and 3 donations were Gift Aided raising the total to £85
In the afternoon lots of folk travelled to Shanklin Chine where they explored the Chine and it’s waterfalls, Pluto's pipeline, the flora, fauna, and a weird squeaky parrot thing who went mad pulling out his feathers at the sight of Benn N – understandable. (Pluto is a near neighbour of Neptune and his pipeline fuled the Mulberry Harbour during World War Two off the coast of Normandy providing fuel for the D-Day landings, after that it must have all seeped away into the North Sea but there isn't much left now)
Those left at base apart from the gallant NAAFI staff had a rest. The flag pole was blown down. It took a team effort later to get it up, Andy W amd John M started this year's craze for playing Jenga. We enjoyed a salad and meat Tea with cakes.
Our activity co-ordinators had organised a ‘senses collage’ for the evening, which was educational, entertaining and, at times, quite hilarious. Andrew J provided much of the hilarity, althoughbeing blindfold, he didn’t know it. Ben wandered around blindfolded for a long time searching for Tom in an area of the Marquee that was completely deserted.
The blindfolded Bethan spent 15 minutes quite literally in the dark, while her colleagues completely ignored her! Maybe as tent commander she’s being alienated by the rest of her tent – or maybe they were just excited by the sight of shiny things, pens and glue!!!!! The tents were scored for this out of 10. 4 for team work, 3 for creativity and 3 for presentation. Tent One 8 Tent Two 6 Tent Three 5. There followed half an hour of Free time
Phyllis led us in our evening devotions, where we guessed the constellations and listened to some songs on the theme of God’s creation. After cocoa we gave the Brown girls plenty of time to get ready for bed, and they just made it in the nick of time at around 10PM. Tent One had a long and interesting discussion, with no need of a microphone, and put their lights out at midnight and finally said "Good Night" at 12.30am.
Monday 21st August
#############
It was raining as we woke up on Monday, and Andrew T needed his coat to make his way to the cookhouse for his shift as assistant cook, to replace Matt who was duty officer. He claims that Rachel insisted on criticising his every move in the cookhouse but whatever she said it wouldn’t have made any difference – he claimed he was a wholly inadequate replacement for Matt maybe but he was all we'd got and it was his first day. Inspection was much improved, with the girls loosing out by just one point for the second day running.
Tent One lost a lot of marks on their layout of their dining table so much so that a certain nameless young gentleman offered John M the marker a £3 bribe, Silly names and nicknames often develop at camp. Andrew J has been christened Jardinhioooooooo by Andrew H. Jardinhiooooooo himself, along with Stuart, thought it was important to distinguish between like named people at camp; Simon M therefore becomes Siminister, and Simon P, Pieminister.
After Breakfast of porridge followed by sausages, fried eggs, and baked beans, John M brought us to order by flogging a bench with a leather strap for his "Thought for the day", about being caned at school on his last day for doing nothing and telling the truth.
The motto being that when some people are behaving badly we should take steps to try to warn or stop them For a Christian doing nothing is not an option, we have to get involved and share the Good News whether it is accepted or not. Mr M has been doing a research project on the use and decline of corporal punishment since the 19th century. Since we are no longer allowed to flog boys or anyone else, he has to practice on himself.
.
Most of us walked to Sandown in the sunshine. John M circumnavigated the now well known streets with speed seeking unsuccessfully a camera shop and then joined Stephen and Phyllis's group in the coffee shop and then in a tour of Woolworths and other shops., Several other groups were seen street walking.– According to Andy H his group ‘didn’t want to do anything’. Maybe they were exhausted by the walk – perhaps by tomorrow we may have toughened them up a bit.
Dinner was a wonderful spaghetti Bolognese, with garlic bread and veg, followed by crumble. The people who weren’t biking kindly did the washing up while the bikers set off for Sandown. After they’d equipped themselves with bikes and helmets, with Andrew J’s conference call blaring in the background, they set off for the first landmark of the route – the caravan site. Unfortunately by this time Andrew H was approaching light speed and, according to Einstein’s less well known work ‘Time and Relativity Whilst Mountain Biking’, the caravan site was so blurred we actually missed it.
About a third of the way around the course Andrew H reported to the CO regarding Stephen Brown; he said “Stephen Brown said that if he sees a pub he’s gonna stop, but if he doesn’t he can wait until tonight….. but by the look of him he can’t!”.
Ruth was the only casualty of the biking, grazing her knee quite badly when Andrew J tried a blocking manoeuvre on her. She played down the incident but it sounded like it could have been a lot worse.
The stop off in the pub garden came just at the right moment and spurred us on for the second half of the ride, which was a lot easier going, much to Simon M’s obvious delight.
On returning to the camp site Lauren developed a quite astonishing bout of cramp from sitting on the minibus. Her Mum who had just remarked to her friends about the minibus being late back and wondering whether anything unpleasant may have befallen her daughter was very concerned at first, then slightly mad that she’d been the victim of an impromptu practical joke. While they were away Mr M operating as acting duty officer while Matt was off site, had another cramp attack and redressed his ulcer.
We enjoyed a salad tea. After tea we walked to the beach for rounders as the sun set. Ruth’s bowling was immaculate – Jardinhiooooo’s wasn’t. A number of people took good catches, including Phyllis, which made up for her throwing, which was inaccurate to say the least. The couple with the bottle of chilled white wine were our only spectators, although they probably wouldn’t have hung around if anyone had of won Andrew H’s £10 for knocking their bottle off the wall. Simon led our evening worship session " Planned for God's Pleasure" which included a visual about the farting evangelist and afterwards on about fishing in Afghanistan.
After cocoa we were off to bed and while the staff met for discussion Andy W kindly washed up our mugs. and did so for the rest of the week,, while John led staff prayers which included some favourite hymn words. We prayed for Kathryn Pantrey who was struggling a bit with illness. Kathryn’s job is probably the most demanding on camp and we are so grateful to her for her hard work.
Tent One had to be reminded to stay in their tents at nighttime ( a bit boring) – Benn N gave assurance that they were just going to the toilet. If going to the toilet involves rolling around in the field shouting then the CO was really worried! ( It has to be said that right back to Runton 1984 the excuse of going to the toilets has covered a multitude of other activities, both on camp and off)