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PAUL NOBBS - Devon on Ashburton, 1973
Hi there - I attended Course D67 from November to December 1967 as a member of Kent Police Cadets. Unfortunately I have long since lost the log book but still have the silver badge. I remember not being ablt to swim at the time, and we had been on a potholing expedition and had to jump from the bridge into the river. In the end they tied a rope around my waist and waited for me to jump in - when I did I was so eager to get out I pulled the instructor into the river with me! For a year or two my photo - looking suitably young and brooding was on the cover of the brochure for the school. Now having just turned 70 I look back on that month with very grateful memories.
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UnknownApril 22, 2020
Lewis Tomlinson
I was at Ashburton August1974 Drake Patrol. Ill never forget my experience there. Great friends, I regret no keeping in touch. But I did get every ones address and write in 2010 obviously everyone moved on. If anyone sees this please drop me an emaail: lewistheblade@outlook.com
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UnknownJune 03, 2020
It was Jan 1973 for my course, i was in Hawkins and our leader was Ian(surname ? ) he had a GS dog called Dart, he brought him along on walks. I was a police cadet. The whole experience was fantastic despite it being a very cold Jan. Have lots of happy memories. The course i think was D19.
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UnknownJune 06, 2020
My course Jan '73 . Had a great time, was in Hawkins the leader was Ian surname ? He had a German Shepard dog called Dart. I attended with fellow Police Cadet Pete Bond.
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UnknownAugust 07, 2020
Hi I'm Ray Hill and attended the course in Jan 1972 and was there during decimalisation, think the bank I worked for didn't want me there. I was leader of Rayleigh group, and remember all the things mentioned. Loved the potholing but wasn't to keen on jumping into the river Dart from Holne Bridge. Anyone remember me?
I remember George from Liverpool, Andy,Graham and Paul
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Stuart McAtee (South Wales )September 25, 2020
Stuart McAtee, was on course 67/68 ish was in Gilbert patrol. Tony was the instructor I think, he was climber/potholer. was part of my apprenticeship with Electricity Board, a guy called Gerry was also from Electric Board, Tom from the para's, also guys from Police 1 from Liverpool area, Mtal Box co. will try and find out more or anyone remember stu.test@live.com
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David GlassonDecember 22, 2020
I was at Holne Park in August 1974, in Courtney Patrol, my name is David Glasson but I had the nickname 'Chip'. Our instructor was a mountaineer named Terry Hubble - top bloke. I loved the course, didn't want it to end, but had I the choice I would've knocked the morning 'run and dip' on the head. I am currently writing my memoirs but unfortunately I've lost my logbook and there are some gaps in my memory, like the name of the disused viaduct where we did abseiling, and the train station we arrived at, and where was the cottage we stayed in on one of our activities away from Holne Park? I remember only a few members of my patrol...'Jock' from Glasgow, Kirwin Searle from Stoke (aka 'Squirrel'), a Gary from the Weymouth area, Barry from Bristol. If anyone remembers me, or can share stories/info, please email me at glassondp@gmail.com
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Replies
UnknownJuly 27, 2021
The train station was newton abbot .i was on the course August 1st 1971.i remember the river jump every morning.i have some memories.i,m glad I stuck it out.we had to fill in a form on the last day asking how long we would remember the course.i put in 10 years but of course I still remember it 50 years on.i seem to remember a lot of heavy rain showers followed by sunshine.the steam rising from the road.also the last few days for the walk across Dartmoor was late summer sunshine.i wish now I had photos/memories of August 1971.i was just 16and half.the seventies were just beginning really
Reply
Chris HutchinsFebruary 17, 2021
I was there in about 1965, the most influential time of my life. I can remember very little about the other people there but, just about everything else is still in my head.
Eating raw sausages having spent the night alone under a bivvie sheet. Early morning dips, cliff rescue canoeing - what a month.
Mr Choate changed my view of the world forever and I will always be grateful to him.
Great memories.
Memories of Ahburton
My Name was Paul Nobbs [a.k.a.Nobby] and it would have been around first half of 1970s I attended at age of around 18, from a print company called Richard Clays. Our first week of getting fit and learning to read maps also included that session in the woods stepping across those gaps in the planks high in the trees. We had a rather portly fellow on our team and he was not a good climber or runner with less than average stamina and we were the last troop down to the river each morning. Hence we always took a double dip and in the month of March it was so cold it felt like hell. We were severely held back on most expeditions so as a team we always came lump. I remember a guy we called pikey in our group [police cadet] and another guy from British Tobacco too . My blue log book was only filled for first couple of days. I lost a stone in weight over the month. I remember the milk at breakfast was transparent!!! I hated the washing up task for the 90 blokes. The community stint at Dartmoor mental hospital was a real difficult one for me poor souls but a real eye opener. I remember assisting with making easter hats and playing skittles with some of the inmates. I remember 2 army cadets from Bodmin finding it too much after the first week and they yomped off and disappeared with all their kit on their backs. A couple got signed off with chest infections, one guy went to hospital with a paralized arm due to walking so long with ruck sack straps biting too deep. and Pikey limped off with a chipped heel after a slip on Scree slope surfing. The pot holing was memorable. The portly chap got stuck in the pass called the Angel and it took us an hour to shift him. I got my battery pack stuck the the Maggot hole and finally managed to free myself in time to enjoy the final mud-slide. The wash-off at the bridge was scary for some lads who couldnt swim. We were ordered to tie ropes round waists and help them off the top under protest and another chap below pulled em to the bank. [Elf & Safety wouldnt allow that today!] I remember collecting a tiddly wink counter from a plastic pot on top of the Tor Brown Willy which always made me smile. The canoe surfing in a wet-suit full of holes and rips was effing freezing. The final solo expedition drop off was challenging with a fertilizer sack some string and skewers, and ancient primus and flint and green army torch etc., I camped near a stone wall in a prehistoric hut circle base and had the sack as a roof. It hailed so hard during the night that the weight of ice pulled the skewers out and it collapsed on me. As I lay there the ice melted on the warmth of my body, then melted and ran down and puddled wet under my back. I reluctantly got up about 4am and a fog came down and I found myself walking blind across ground so boggy it was like a trampoline. It was near a dam I remember later that day. I was convinced I was going to sink in mud never to be found again. Anyway I survived and learnt so much. I do remember thoroughly enjoying the whole experience. When i finally returned to my village and seeing friends they asked me if I enjoyed my holiday. I found it so weird trying to explain what I had just been through. It was honestly life changing, and it was supposed to be. Kids these days would benefit massively from doing the same.
Reply
UnknownApril 22, 2020
Lewis Tomlinson
I was at Ashburton August1974 Drake Patrol. Ill never forget my experience there. Great friends, I regret no keeping in touch. But I did get every ones address and write in 2010 obviously everyone moved on. If anyone sees this please drop me an emaail: lewistheblade@outlook.com
Reply
UnknownJune 03, 2020
It was Jan 1973 for my course, i was in Hawkins and our leader was Ian(surname ? ) he had a GS dog called Dart, he brought him along on walks. I was a police cadet. The whole experience was fantastic despite it being a very cold Jan. Have lots of happy memories. The course i think was D19.
Reply
UnknownJune 06, 2020
My course Jan '73 . Had a great time, was in Hawkins the leader was Ian surname ? He had a German Shepard dog called Dart. I attended with fellow Police Cadet Pete Bond.
Reply
UnknownAugust 07, 2020
Hi I'm Ray Hill and attended the course in Jan 1972 and was there during decimalisation, think the bank I worked for didn't want me there. I was leader of Rayleigh group, and remember all the things mentioned. Loved the potholing but wasn't to keen on jumping into the river Dart from Holne Bridge. Anyone remember me?
I remember George from Liverpool, Andy,Graham and Paul
Reply
Stuart McAtee (South Wales )September 25, 2020
Stuart McAtee, was on course 67/68 ish was in Gilbert patrol. Tony was the instructor I think, he was climber/potholer. was part of my apprenticeship with Electricity Board, a guy called Gerry was also from Electric Board, Tom from the para's, also guys from Police 1 from Liverpool area, Mtal Box co. will try and find out more or anyone remember stu.test@live.com
Reply
David GlassonDecember 22, 2020
I was at Holne Park in August 1974, in Courtney Patrol, my name is David Glasson but I had the nickname 'Chip'. Our instructor was a mountaineer named Terry Hubble - top bloke. I loved the course, didn't want it to end, but had I the choice I would've knocked the morning 'run and dip' on the head. I am currently writing my memoirs but unfortunately I've lost my logbook and there are some gaps in my memory, like the name of the disused viaduct where we did abseiling, and the train station we arrived at, and where was the cottage we stayed in on one of our activities away from Holne Park? I remember only a few members of my patrol...'Jock' from Glasgow, Kirwin Searle from Stoke (aka 'Squirrel'), a Gary from the Weymouth area, Barry from Bristol. If anyone remembers me, or can share stories/info, please email me at glassondp@gmail.com
Reply
Replies
UnknownJuly 27, 2021
The train station was newton abbot .i was on the course August 1st 1971.i remember the river jump every morning.i have some memories.i,m glad I stuck it out.we had to fill in a form on the last day asking how long we would remember the course.i put in 10 years but of course I still remember it 50 years on.i seem to remember a lot of heavy rain showers followed by sunshine.the steam rising from the road.also the last few days for the walk across Dartmoor was late summer sunshine.i wish now I had photos/memories of August 1971.i was just 16and half.the seventies were just beginning really
Reply
Chris HutchinsFebruary 17, 2021
I was there in about 1965, the most influential time of my life. I can remember very little about the other people there but, just about everything else is still in my head.
Eating raw sausages having spent the night alone under a bivvie sheet. Early morning dips, cliff rescue canoeing - what a month.
Mr Choate changed my view of the world forever and I will always be grateful to him.
Great memories.
Memories of Ahburton
My Name was Paul Nobbs [a.k.a.Nobby] and it would have been around first half of 1970s I attended at age of around 18, from a print company called Richard Clays. Our first week of getting fit and learning to read maps also included that session in the woods stepping across those gaps in the planks high in the trees. We had a rather portly fellow on our team and he was not a good climber or runner with less than average stamina and we were the last troop down to the river each morning. Hence we always took a double dip and in the month of March it was so cold it felt like hell. We were severely held back on most expeditions so as a team we always came lump. I remember a guy we called pikey in our group [police cadet] and another guy from British Tobacco too . My blue log book was only filled for first couple of days. I lost a stone in weight over the month. I remember the milk at breakfast was transparent!!! I hated the washing up task for the 90 blokes. The community stint at Dartmoor mental hospital was a real difficult one for me poor souls but a real eye opener. I remember assisting with making easter hats and playing skittles with some of the inmates. I remember 2 army cadets from Bodmin finding it too much after the first week and they yomped off and disappeared with all their kit on their backs. A couple got signed off with chest infections, one guy went to hospital with a paralized arm due to walking so long with ruck sack straps biting too deep. and Pikey limped off with a chipped heel after a slip on Scree slope surfing. The pot holing was memorable. The portly chap got stuck in the pass called the Angel and it took us an hour to shift him. I got my battery pack stuck the the Maggot hole and finally managed to free myself in time to enjoy the final mud-slide. The wash-off at the bridge was scary for some lads who couldnt swim. We were ordered to tie ropes round waists and help them off the top under protest and another chap below pulled em to the bank. [Elf & Safety wouldnt allow that today!] I remember collecting a tiddly wink counter from a plastic pot on top of the Tor Brown Willy which always made me smile. The canoe surfing in a wet-suit full of holes and rips was effing freezing. The final solo expedition drop off was challenging with a fertilizer sack some string and skewers, and ancient primus and flint and green army torch etc., I camped near a stone wall in a prehistoric hut circle base and had the sack as a roof. It hailed so hard during the night that the weight of ice pulled the skewers out and it collapsed on me. As I lay there the ice melted on the warmth of my body, then melted and ran down and puddled wet under my back. I reluctantly got up about 4am and a fog came down and I found myself walking blind across ground so boggy it was like a trampoline. It was near a dam I remember later that day. I was convinced I was going to sink in mud never to be found again. Anyway I survived and learnt so much. I do remember thoroughly enjoying the whole experience. When i finally returned to my village and seeing friends they asked me if I enjoyed my holiday. I found it so weird trying to explain what I had just been through. It was honestly life changing, and it was supposed to be. Kids these days would benefit massively from doing the same.