CRYSTAL PALACE Monday, 10th July-Friday, 14th July, 1967
The School Party departed from School at 10.15 and travelled by coach to London with a party from the High School, Ely.
On arrival at Crystal Palace (a journey which surprisingly enough took 4 hours), rooms in the hostel were allocated to everyone.
Afterwards the Soham and Ely parties assembled in one of the junior Common Rooms where we met parties from other parts of Cambridgeshire.After introductory talks by the warden and the head of the course, we were shown around the Recreation Centre. It was a sight that shouldn't be missed. There were facilities for every type of sport and game, including skiing and motor cycle racing.
After this we all split up and went our separate ways to our first main choice session (the main choice subjects offered were judo, Fencing, Tennis, Badminton, Squash and Trampolining).After 1½ hours we changed for the evening meal, after which we all assembled in the Common Room once more to decide upon which subsidiary subjects we would like to do (as well as the subjects already mentioned above, these also included table tennis and 5-a-side soccer). Having finally decided upon our subsidiary subjects we then enjoyed an hour's swimming.
The next day was spent in alternating between first and second main choice subjects and first subsidiary subject. Wednesday brought a variation for in the afternoon two competitons were organised. The first, netball for girls, and the second, 5-a-side soccer for the boys. In the latter competition the School's `A' team did well in reaching the final, which was played out to a draw. However, the issue was decided on goal average, which made County High School, Cambridge, the winners.
On Thursday afternoon everyone enjoyed a trip to Streatham Ice Rink where everyone but the injured ventured out onto the ice (the majority for the first time). This proved very amusing, especially to members of some London schools which visit the rink regularly.
In the evening, trips to concerts, shows, and the cinema were arranged and although the majority took advantage of these, some stayed behind and either played badminton and table tennis or went swimming. On Friday morning we only had time for breakfast before boarding the coaches for the return journey home.
On the whole it was a well organised week which ran very smoothly and was enjoyed by most if not all. For anyone who has the chance to attend such a course in the future, it is well worth going.
From the Soham Grammarian Summer 1967 - If you can add anecdotes or photos about this trip, please contact the editor.