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Ray Reynolds sent me these pictures taken on a trip to Stanley Pool.
Ray says:
"The only faces I recognise are on the first picture. Of the four lads
in view from RIGHT to LEFT they are Micky Spruce & Charlie Thacker (for sure),
Alan Meigh & Stephen Butters (I think).
The lone person in the canoe is me. (Well it was my dad what took 'em).
"
use magnify for better quality images
This is taken from the
1962 School Magazine "THE REVIEW"
"CAMPING AT STANLEY POOL"
Three visits have been paid to the Outdoor Pursuits Camp at Stanley Pool and altogether sixteen boys have had the
good fortune to go. The purpose of the camp is twofold, first to teach the basic principles of camping and secondly to
teach the basic principles of water craft. The weekend routine was standardised and on the Friday afternoon when
we arrived, we first erected the tents and made everything ship shape. On the Saturday morning we had first to work
on the current scheme for camp improvement and then we went on to the important part of the visit. We split into two
parties, one going on the lake in the canoes and the other having a talk from Mr. Gunn, the resident teacher, on the
first principles and dangers of sailing. In the afternoon, sailors became listeners and listeners became sailors. In the
evening we washed the boats down, had supper and went to bed. On the Sunday, we all went out on the lake, one
party canoeing and the other party sailing. Later visits were similar but with more time spent on the lake and less on
lectures.
We look forward to a lot more boating in the coming year and we hope to receive the same friendly support from
Messrs. Yates, Nixon and Booth, to whom we are grateful for taking us this year.
K. J. Baker.
Chris Horrobin says:
"The reservoir is full to the brim - unlike the following year's "caretaker" week in the School holidays.
On that visit there was a large expanse of cracked mud between the boathouse and the water.
The water level was so low that the centreboard of the Enterprise dinghy had to be momentarily lifted when crossing the submerged old dam wall.
Although it was a hot week there was a severe squall one day that had everyone running down to the foreshore from the camp.
All hands struggled to limit the damage to the boats which were being blown over on the beach.
The "caretaker" function meant there were no official lectures - just lots of time to enjoy a sailing holiday.
The old "clinker-built" dinghy was considered no fun compared to the Cadets and the Enterprise. It was slow and could not be overturned for a cooling dip
as it was liable to sink like a stone. Unfortunately a Cadet lost its rudder in such a manoeuvre.
One of the seniors dived several times in vain trying to find it.
However the School workshops did produce a well-crafted replacement.
First thing in the morning we had to thoroughly clean the milk churn - then take it to the farmhouse
for the daily ration. Coming back, downhill, was tricky with the heavy churn on two wheels.
Many a feast was had from purchases of the farmer's wife's raspberry jam - although it was said that there were wood chips supplementing the seeds.
The two-boy Igloo tents, with camp beds, were a luxury compared to the communal bell tents of the
School camp at Aberdovey.
"
Derek Johnson
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