C.C.F. Notes

By 5.40, we had successfully crossed both the A171 and the ravine of Jugger Howe Beck, and were at Burn Howe, well on the way to the wellknown Lilla Howe and the infamous Early Warning Station, which we had passed by 7.00. After a rest at Ellerbeck Bridge, We crossed the latelamented railway at Fen Bogs Houses and climbed up to Simon Howe, which we reached at 7.45. From there we gradually descended into Wheeldale (where the Youth Hostel warden now has television!) and where many aching feet were thankfully bathed.

Leaving the Lodge at 8.30, after a dose of Scroggin (? !), we walked for a short distance along the Roman Road and eventually were much relieved to find the track which led across the dreaded Wheeldale Moor to Blue Man-i'-th'-Moss. Here we came across the boundary stones which led us to Hamer House and Mr. Exham, who was acting as our support party. He was everywhere at the right time, with a very welcome stew at Hamer and tea at Hasty Bank, and we thank him profusely for his good-humoured and morale-raising help.

All good things, including stew, must come to an end, however, and we set off again at 11.05 following the white stones through a bog in which Plews nearly followed the pack-mule which is reputed to have been engulfed there, right up to the Rosedale Road, and the delightful Fat Betty, with her consorts Old Ralph and Young Ralph. Striking off the road towards the Rosedale Railway, we ate our packed lunches at 1.25 before joining an old friend, although a friend whose cinder track is rather hard on the feet. We followed the railway to Bloworth Crossing, after which we walked along the firebreak across Urra Moor which eventually led us down to the road at Hasty Bank.

It was at this point that, because of the state of some feet, the party had to split. We were sorry that Green was in no fit condition to carry on—he spent the rest of the day with Mr. Exham. The Paces and Jones decided that they would not climb to the top of the next two hills, as the main party did, enjoying suberb views not only of Middlesbrough, but also of Darlington. However, they rejoined us for the last stage—we were all together at Huthwaite Green at 8.45. The first to arrive at the triangulation point near Osmotherly were there just a little more than an hour later, with the others following in close succession.

Our thanks are due, then, to Mr. Power and Mr. Exham, for their help, to Robert Stevens for his experienced company—he is now a Master of Misery—and last but not least to Mr. and Mrs. Duncan for organising the whole Walk. We hope they enjoyed themselves as much as we did—at least in retrospect ! I.M. MacL.

The Summer Term is inevitably occupied very largely with preparing for the Annual Inspection, except the one year in four when no inspection is held. Thus attention this term was mainly directed towards June 13th when Lieutenant-General Sir Geoffrey Musson, K.C.B., C.B.E., D.S.O., the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Northern Command, inspected the Contingent. He was accompanied by Staff Officers from each of the three Services, and he addressed the Contingent at the end of the Inspection, in not very encouraging terms. The Report on the Inspection, however, 33

was good on the whole, but from this Report we should note one of the Army Commander's comments : "Some cadets had taken a good deal more trouble than others." The lesson to be learnt from this is that while we can take pride in having a voluntary Contingent, the voluntary act is in whether you join or not: it is reasonable to expect the same standard of effort from every cadet once he has decided that he wants to join. If you choose to wear the uniform of one of the Armed Forces, then wear it smartly, and if you join the C.C.F., then give it your full attention for the short time required each week. This is what you have agreed to do.

The main feature of the training period on Inspection Day was the briefing of N.C.O's for the Field Day Exercise devised and organised by P.O. Fairhurst and Lance Sergeant Bleach. Field day was on 20th June, and all three Service Sections took part together in a successful exercise on a Catterick Training area.

At Commemoration the Band, under Drum Major Ogley, having survived a crisis about its ability to perform, gave a good account of itself in the display and adaptation of the Sunset ceremony, for which P. 0. Harrison led the Guard. This year, the Army Section set up a machinegun post for visitors to have a look at the CCF, and the Royal Navy Section again opened its seamanship room. There is no doubt that our visitors enjoy these signs of C.C.F. activity.

The Annual Camp at Warcop was slightly affected by the weather, and it was necessary to cancel the main night exercise which was, however, successfully adapted to a daylight one next day. C.S.M. Bowie and Sergeant Summers completed an Expedition for the Duke of Edinburgh's Silver Award, and nine cadets completed the Bronze Award Expedition. Cadets who wish to do so can continue to seek the other parts of the Award scheme within their C.C.F. course.

We thank our affiliated Regular Service units for their help in the year, and particularly the Training Team headed by Captain Thirsk, and the 1st Royal Tank Regiment at Catterick who provided such an interesting visit for those at Camp.

R.N. SECTION

Our parent establishment, H.M.S. Safeguard, has taken a large part in improving the amenities available to the Section. When the mast was lowered for its annual coat of paint, a team from H.M.S. Safeguard took the opportunity of improving the rigging, so that the mast now looks smarter than ever before. In addition, thanks to H.M.S. Safeguard, we have permanent moorings for the dinghy opposite the boat house; these have increased the availability of the dinghy which can now be pulled or sailed with very little delay. C.P.O. Keefe has helped both with pulling and sailing, and the dinghy has also been out on Sundays.

Besides the Annual Inspection, which went off fairly well (it would have gone better if the dinghy had been in the water on time), the R.N. Section took an active part in the very successful Field Day. Two voluntary expeditions were also arranged, one to Liverpool to see H.M.S. Zulu and the other to Rosyth to look over H.M.S. Safeguard, with a day at sea in H.M.S. Russell, a fast anti-submarine frigate, thrown in for good measure.

Fairhurst has been Petty Officer Instructor in charge and has shown plenty of initiative. The seamanship room has been painted out and 34