Right to Roam

Hi All,

I've been looking into 'Right to Roam' since our last meeting. I've checked a few websites and put together the following. It's quite a lot of writing and the idea in general seems quite confused.

Session 5 Birchover to Darley Bridge

Hi All,

Sorry for the delay but I've amended the route card for the short walk that we did on Sunday 5th June from Birchover to Darley Bridge. I've just changed one of the Grid Refs and as we walked it I made notes on the details of the route so I've updated those too.

Bel 2011

2011 also saw me complete my PTLLs Qualification, this now enables me to teach in adult education and included lesson planning, how to motavate learners and use a varity of assesment methods, I also had to plan and teach a lesson for 30 minutes to my class, I chose to give a talk on map reading, the country code how to pack a ruck sack and how to use and choose the right equipment in my rucksack, the use of  cooking equipment and to choose the right clothing and footware. I picked this subject as at the time i was learning it at my weekend BEL camps and it was a subject with which I was comfortable with it has also come in handy for my Duke of Edingburgh class and helped me become and Bronze and Sliver Assessor with the Award.

Rich Elam Bel 2011

The beingining of October saw me organising a mini expedition for a local youth club. It Started with me giving a leture on the Wednesday evening which involved topics such as the country code, map reading the importance of packing a ruck sack and carrying the right equipment and how to use it especially paying attention to carrying the right amount of water.The group met at the village of Fullerby in the Lincolnshire Wolds, the first day was to navigate via the Viking way to the village of Scamlesby camp overnight in the field to the rear of the village pub.

The following day was to find our way to West Ashby via Belchford and pick up the footpath at manor farm then to Upper glebe farm  then back onto the viking way to West Ashby, this was completed and was a good grounding for the youth club members as many where going to complete a duke of edingburgh bronze practise later on in October with there school Monks Dyke in Louth.

Bel award

My Bel training continued in August visiting the peak district helping out on a Duke of Edingburgh gold award, During my time in the peaks i managed to do a four walks the first being from Edale to a check point at upper tor, this was a tough walk and climb but once at the top the view was well worth the effort. my second walk was from edale to Lords seat which was also well worth the walk for another beautiful view. My third walk saw me walk from the camp site at Upper Booth to Jacobs Ladder which again was well worth the climb mainly just to say that I had done it .My last walk while in the peaks was from Snake pass up to a B29 Superfortress crash site at Higher Shelf Stones, this was a interesting walk as my father had flown in the B29 while in the RAF, at this crash site all aircrew on board had saldly lost there life's in the crash so it was a interesting to see that a lot of the wreck still remained but also a sad moment for the memory of the aircrew.

Assessment Dates Comimg Soon

Matlock Cadets' Bronze D of E Practice

On the first weekend of 17th and 18th September I assisted with a Bronze D of E Practice Expedition with cadets from 140 (Matlock) Squadron. The cadets walked from Matlock to Birchover, camping at Barn Farm, then from Birchover to Bakewell.

On the first day I followed their route whilst not being involved with the group. Myself and other members of staff camped overnight at Barn Farm away from the cadets. Then on Day 2 I helped with the checkpointing which also involved walking one of the legs between checkpoints. (Above: Cadets waiting to start their walk)



This was the first time that the cadets had done a walk of this nature, over such a distance, carrying
all of their equipment. By the end of Day 2 there were some aching feet and shoulders but the cadets had coped really well and seemed to be in high spirits for most of the route. They proved to be competent in the use of a map and compass and all shared the role of navigator. Whilst speaking to them over the two days they were able to highlight a number of issues that had arose regarding the route card, the route that had been planned and the equipment that they had brought with them. As a result they will be able to make improvements when it comes to the actual expedition in October. (Above: Meeting Staff at a checkpoint, Day 1)

Camping at Barn Farm, Birchover

Cadets checking the next leg of their route, Day 2

Matlock Cadets Camping at Bakewell Dog Show

On 18th - 19th June 140 (Matlock) Sqn was at the 'Dogs Unleashed' Dog Show at Bakewell helping to park cars. We all camped over on the show ground on Saturday and each cadet brought their own food to cook. We used Trangia stoves which some of the cadets hadn't used before. The pictures are of me explaining and demonstrating how to use them safely.

Birchover to Chatsworth with Chesterfield College UPS

On the 16th and 21st June I spent the day with Chesterfield College's Uniformed Public Services Course. Each group spent 2.5 days camping at Barn Farm, Birchover where they did various activities such as climbing and raft building, although this was all based around expedition training. Each day that I spent with them the groups had planned a walk from Birchover to Emperor's Lake on the Chatsworth Estate and return. The total distance for each day was around 20km over varied terrain including a riverside walk along the valley bottom and getting up and down two pretty grueling hills. The groups were both of mixed ability. The picture to the left is of my group on the 16th.


The experience gave me a good insight into dealing with groups outside of the Air Cadets, at the top end of the age range that I would normally deal within the cadets. The second group that I took out was more of a challenge as two of the group had a difference of opinion part way through the second leg which meant that the situation had to be diffused in order for the walk to continue. Having said that, by the end of the walk the same two were helping each other, spurring each other on. It was nice to see a change in attitudes and to see the group coming together as a team. In total it contributed about 20 hours of volunteer work towards my award.

Session 5 Practical Navigation

Hi All,

Just a few action shots from the Short Walk that we did on Sunday 5th June. Sorry for the delay.

Making Walking Interesting

While at Chatsworth Martin made a point of telling us that walks should have a purpose or be interesting, we all agreed that this was benifical as we had all been on "route marches" for want of a better word where the routes were of a long distance or fast pace for the sake of it. After further disscussion we said routes were much better when there was a purpose either points of interest or activities at locations. While disscussing this we all said how we might like to vists an aircraft wreak and how it would be good for a gold D of E team as the Aim of their expedition. Below is a website which contain infomation and grid references on points of interest in derbyshire

http://www.derbyshireheritage.co.uk

Hope its useful to you all.

Session 5 Practical Navigation Ashover White Peak Derbyshire

Session 5 Sunday 5th June 2011 A detailed Route Card  of the walk is located within the resources section of this blog ? The group also visited Birchover camp site and Camping Barn.

Session 6- Walking the Route

Here are a few pictures from the walk we had planned the previous day at clowne we started at the campsite and the walked to the bridge for lunch before walking a shorter route back. After this we went back to matlock Sqn to disscuss our next route and rights of access.

Training weekend Clowne.

Our second training weekend started at clowne college in Derbyshire, we discussed the various types of out door cooking stoves that are available the advantages and disadvantages of various makes, during the day we also erected different types of tents and discussed the various types.

We also produced a route card for a short walk (10km) and a long walk (25km) which we are going to use in a future training weekend leading Cadets.

The Sunday consisted of the short walk that we planned from the previous day which again was designed to make the walk both interesting and enjoyable.

After our initial assessment weekend in April our First Training weekend Started At Chatsworth House in Derbyshire on Friday 13th -Sunday 15th May 2011.

When we arrived on Friday evening our first job was to set up our tents and cook a evening meal. We then planned a 12km walk the next day around the Chatsworth area ,making sure the walk would be interesting and take in some of the local history of the area. On returning from the walk we discussed the various types of tents available to buy and the pro's and the con's of the designs. We also discussed, budgets and transportation issues relating to organising a basic expedition.

Saturday eveninig we planned another 10-12km walk for Sunday this time taking in local sights of interest that we missed on Saturday

The weekend was a great learning curve for all of us and we went away with many new ideas.

Navigation Training at Chatsworth house

Above is a picture of Simon Richard and Richard standing by Swiss lake in Chatsworth park, during a 10km light walk which we planned the previous night.

Route Planning - Sat 04 June 2011

Chris, Richard and Ben planning a route of approximately 25km before planning a 10km route, to be walked with cadets over a weekend; and to be checked tomorrow.

Visit From a Former cadet SAC Danny Attwood now with RAF Mountain Rescue

Reviewing tents and stoves

In session four we looked at expedition preparation including things like group fitness, budgets insurance, we also looked at types of tents including pop ups and mountain tents and the suitibility of each for different types of camps, aswell as the different features of each. We then looked at stoves and the benifits and disadvantages of each and any issues of there use with Cadets.

News and Views

Range of reviewed products 

Session 4 Equipment Checks

 I thought it might be useful to learn about each other’s backgrounds and motivations for completing their Basic Expedition Leaders course a little more and see what they hope to learn from the experiences that will no doubt be coming thick and fast!

I have prepared a little introduction to me which covers who I am as well as my hopes and aspirations.

My name is Jason and I currently teach on the Uniformed Public Services programmes at Chesterfield College. The course provides practical and theory based sessions that lead to qualifications and aim to support a learners understanding of the armed forces and emergency services. Many of our learners go on to enter these career paths as well as taking employment in the outdoor education sector.

My subject specialism’s evolve around military history and politics as well as criminal law and policing. I studied at university between 2004-8 whilst also being part of Manchester & Salford Universities Air Squadron RAFVR, undertaking what was then known as EFT. I joined Derbyshire Constabulary in 2006 and currently manage a team  of 15 special constables who undertake various different duties, I do this whilst also teaching at college.

I was a cadet at 331 (Chesterfield) Sqn for 5 ½ years and took part in most cadet activities, representing the region at football and wing at cross country.

I have entered on this course in order to gain more experience in the outdoor world and better practical leadership skills. When I have completed this course I hope to be able to put my new skills into practice and take part/lead walks that form part of the Uniformed Public Services course. I have 3 dogs, two German pointers and a Weimaraner, so I naturally enjoy walks/treks and often travel up to the highlands to see family and find a good path to follow.

I look forward to working/walking with you during the course and hope we will learn and enjoy ourselves!’

Jason

Jason Pimborough

Lecturer

Sport & Public Services

Chesterfield College

Welcome to the Basic Expedition Leadership blog

Welcome to the Basic Expedition Leadership blog

The purpose of this site is to provide a resource and communication platform for those attending the course and the groups that they teach. At the end of each session we will up-load a diary of events and a schedule of session outcomes.

The candidates will also post a summary of their views and outcomes from each session.

Session 1

This was the first session the candidates were introduced to the Basic Expedition Leadership scheme and its aims, objectives and Log book requirements.

1.       Expedition Leadership

2.       Navigation Theory  

4.       Practical Navigation

5.       Practical navigation exercise to include orienteering

6.       Introduction Expedition Planning & Preparation

7.       Presentation & Teaching Skills

8.       Instruction Techniques – Use of Visual Aids Basic map work, Map work and map design, scales, symbols, map orientation, grid references, contours.

End of session 1