News

Duke of Edinburgh's Award Trip

11.10.2010

On Monday 11 October, 5 intrepid adventurers (and Mr Unsworth and Mrs Kenny) set off for Winter Hill, Chorley, to complete their Bronze assessment for D of E. Kerry Keane, Lauren Grundy, Sophie Lyon, Ashley Cooper and Katie Sumner were excited at the prospect of the trip ahead. With lunch packed, sleeping bags sorted and boots fitted, they set off for Chorley.

Upon arrival, Mr Unsworth issued maps, route cards and compasses and the girls and Mrs K set off on their 13K hike. After 5 minutes, thanks to Katie and her compass work, they realised that they were going the wrong direction and set off again… Well even Scott of the Antarctic went wrong every now and again! Mr Unsworth told them they had to go up ‘a little hill’…. One massive mountain (well it felt like it) and 2 hours later they reached the summit of Winter Hill and stood in awe of the TV antenna. (Or maybe just glanced at it once on the way back down). Although rather worn out and incredibly hot (the weather was fantastic!), they continued on their journey, deciding to have lunch at the bottom, out of the wind… Little did they know they would have to scale down the side of the hill at a very steep angle! Sophie ‘pongo’ Lyon led the way and practically ran down the slope with Katie in tow. Mrs K almost took everyone out when she slipped at the back of the line, but thanks to Mr Unsworth’s knowledge of how to traverse steep slopes, she evaded the danger.

After lunch (and an almost embarrassing trip to the ‘loo’), they continued up “another little hill which is smaller than the last” – HA! Mr Unsworth has an amazing sense of humour!!! Along this stretch of the hike, two rather funny things happened – Katie Sumner sunk and got stuck and Lauren Grundy lost her soul – I mean sole, from her boot. Katie was eventually rescued – once Mrs K had stopped laughing, but poor Lauren had to complete the rest of the trip sole-less. When the girls finally made it to Bibby’s Farm they set up camp and ate tea. Pot noodles and pasta all round! After tea Mr Unsworth set a fire (with no help from matches – honest girls) and they all huddled round to keep warm. Unfortunately Sophie ate that many haribo’s that she went a bit doo-lally but eventually she calmed down. By 11pm everyone was sound asleep in preparation for the next day.

On Tuesday they woke up, packed up camp, ate brekkie and the girls set off on the last part of their hike. With maps, routecards and compasses in hand, they disappeared off into the sun-rise. Mrs K and Mr Unsworth expected them at the checkpoint but when the girls didn’t arrive Mrs K thought perhaps they had fallen asleep along the way. Mr Unsworth set off back along the footpath to meet the girls whilst Mrs K (half dead from the trek the day before) ‘waited for them on the bus’. It wasn’t until a further 30 minutes, when Kerry rang us, did Mrs K and Mr Unsworth realise what had happened… the girls had made their way to the final destination, missing out the checkpoint and actually completing the 2nd day in record time!

Although extremely tiring, the whole adventure was amazing fun and a wonderful experience. I am very proud of all the girls who went on the expedition, but I’m also very proud of all the students who complete the D of E scheme. It is an incredibly hard but extremely rewarding thing to do.

Well done and thanks Mr Unsworth for teaching us all you do about safety and survival. Mrs Kenny Y11 Progression Leader (and hiker extraordinaire)