Duke of Edinburgh Silver Qualifying Expeditions

Last week, 17 boys in Year 11 walked or canoed for three days in order to complete their final silver qualifying expedition. DofE rules stipulate that participants pack everything they need including food into 60 litre barrels or backpacks and that they are not allowed to buy supplies during the expedition. Assessors checked campcraft – setting up tents, cooking and organisation – navigation and teamwork, plus specialist skills like paddling.

The eight walkers were split into two teams – Alpha and Bravo – and walked 50km over three days from Tan Hill Inn to Marske in Swaledale via Keld and Muker. Meanwhile, the nine canoeists set off in five boats east of Melrose and paddled about 60 km down the River Tweed to the sea at Berwick upon Tweed. Unlike the walkers, they camped ‘wild’ on both nights on the river bank.

One walker had to retire with a leg injury on day two. Canoe Instructor, Kirstie Macmilllan said that after six trips with different schools down the River Tweed, ours was the first where no-one capsized, including the teacher! Mountain Leader, Iain Arthur and assessor, Vicky Armstrong sang the praises of the walkers, especially how they pulled together on the third day when they combined their two teams to make one team of seven.

The canoeists saw amazing bird life – herons fished on every corner, sand martins flew in and out of their sand hole nests drilled into the river bank and ospreys circled overhead, only to be chased off by brave oystercatchers. Swans and their clutch of young paraded near wading fishermen who barely looked up as our boats glided by.

Norham Castle was the canoeists’ second campsite, a five storey stronghold situated on a hill overlooking the river which had resisted more than half of the ten sieges and only finally succumbed to cannon fire in the 15th century. It even had its own brewery.

Many thanks to Mr Smith and Mr Drax, to Simonside Outdoor Adventure and to Tom Thomas, chief coach of Wansbeck Paddle Sports Club, for supervising the boys and leading both expeditions. Finally, congratulations to all of the boys who participated.

Walkers: William B, Archie G, Cam M, Jacob M, Gabriel M, Tom S, Angus S and Angus S.

Canoeists: Hassan A and Timur S, Thomas B and Ashwin S, Harjeeven L, Archie M and Alfie S, Izhaan S and Henry S.