From the Soham Grammarian Summer 1962 - If you can add anecdotes or photos about this trip, please contact the editor.
The English Lake District is renowned for its picturesque setting, its lakes and broken peaks, but above all for its abundance of rain. While enjoying the benefits of a glacial mountain area one has to endure its weather. Therefore it is not surprising that each boy wisely supplied himself beforehand with an anorak, water-proof cape, leggings and many, many pairs of socks, to allay the evils of damp conditions. However, day after day went by with the sun streaming down upon the lightly clad climbers, who had put aside their anoraks for sleeveless shirts. In fact, the weather could not have been more pleasing ; the party encountering no rain until the coach drew into Huntingdon on the last leg of the journey home.
On the day of departure from Soham the overcast sky appeared to signify that the recent hot spell was at an end and the rigours of the English summer of recent years seemed to be upon us again. The journey along the A.1 through the West Riding to Borough bridge, proved uneventful. The countryside was at its dreariest and the only comment to cause excitement came from a certain Yorkshireman who, on seeing the slag heaps in his native country, recommended the magnificent scenery which denoted our presence in the industrial North.
The Pennines proved inspiring viewing on the journey through Wensleydale, and on our leaving Yorkshire the sun came out and was to stay out until the following Saturday. After ten hours on the road, which included a short visit to the waterfall with the largest vertical drop in England, at Hardrow Scour, the coach arrived at the Guest house at Bassenfall.
Monday's trek consisted of the ascent of Helvellyn, 3,118 feet. The heat on this climb was very oppressive, but boys with anoraks were very grateful for them when encountering the cold blast of the wind at the summit, where everyone huddled behind piles of stones to eat lunch in comparative comfort.
On Tuesday, the party split into two, with one group visiting the Solway Colliery at Workington in the morning and Calder Hall atomic power station after dinner. The tour of the coal mine proved most fruitful and the guide impressed upon us the modernization of the pit and the efficiency of the new safety devices, which had greatly reduced accidents. Unfortunately the second party found on their arrival the next day that the pit was closed, owing to a gas explosion which had resulted in several miners being detained in hospital. This disappointment was more than atoned for by an exciting tour of the neighbouring steel works.
On each day the group which stayed in the Lakes covered twelve miles of interesting walking on Scar Crag, 2,205 feet, and on Causey Pike.
Thursday was the greatest test of stamina with the long walk to the top of Scar Fell Pike, which, at the height of 3,210 feet, is the highest point in England. That evening, despite aching limbs, the finals of the football and table-tennis tournaments were held. These, with the rage for poker dice which ran through the centre, took up the evenings. At the last-named game Carter and Mr. Speed, in order of merit, excelled.
Our last full day was spent as a mapping exercise. The forty boys split into eight groups with each small party having to search around their own allotted area, based on Keswick, for the answers to set questions.
The holiday wound up with a sing-song and games led by Mr. Rennison. All boys had thoroughly enjoyed their week under the able guidance of Mr. Rennison, Mr. Bozeat (who only lost his way once), Mr. Scott and, above all, Mr. Speed. His spirited leadership contributed greatly to the success of the holiday and his only miscalculation was, while giving instructions for the week, to say that he appreciated the fact that the Fourth Form could not be expected to stay the climbing pace of the Sixth Form. Just how wrong can one be?
G.D.R., LVI A
Helvellyn: L-R John East - Bob Sandham - John Leonard - PJ
Buck - Geoff Rouse [GDR] - Howie Docherty
source: Geoff Rouse
Walking down from Helvellyn
L-R: PJ Buck - Dickens - Geoff Rouse - Tim Griffiths ....
source: Geoff Rouse
Geoff Rouse "Lunch not far from the summit of Sca
Fell"
source: Geoff Rouse