Anyone intending to visit jock Kelly should check with him first. He has just told me that he is still in the isolation ward of the QA in Portsmouth. He hopes to get news tomorrow of when he can move to Southampton, and the date of his operation. Check before you do any travelling

For Jock nichol
Your tree is not dead, sprouted leaves this year.

Gryphon students complete the Ten Tors Challenge!
Gryphon students took part in the renowned Ten Tors Challenge last weekend, with one team wearing original kit from the 1960s to commemorate the 60th Ten Tors event. The challenge had involved months of training and planning for the teenagers, but it paid off with all five Gryphon teams reaching the Ten Tors before the end of the event.

Students participated in the 35 and 45 mile distances, carrying all the equipment needed to be self-sufficient on Dartmoor over two days. In teams of six, they planned their routes meticulously, ensuring they had enough time to reach all the checkpoints.

Ed, Ed, Leon, Ewan, Malachi, Louie competed in the ‘1960s team’, wearing original items that were sourced over the last year to ensure they had an authentic experience of what the challenge was like for the original teams.

Ed Smith, 17, said “Our outfits consisted of lightweight pale green trousers, black boots, puttees/gaiters, base T-shirts, army shirts and smocks, and an authentic headdress. The clothes proved to be surprisingly comfortable as well as practical, and we all enjoyed looking the part as well as walking in the gear. However, the rucksacks proved to be painful and incredibly hard work. Two members in my team; Louie and Leon, carried frame carriers which were by far the hardest to pack and carry, as they required endless adjusting and were susceptible to breaking.

Despite the rucksacks we had the time of our lives doing Ten Tors and felt over the moon to cross the finish line after the endless hours of training and planning. It is a moment that will stay with us for the rest of our lives. We were honoured at the end of the challenge to be greeted by six veterans who took part in the original Ten Tors having just experienced what they had 60 years earlier”.

Geoff Cooke, Gryphon teacher and Challenge Manager said “We are incredibly proud of all the students, they have put months of effort into this, and it is a huge achievement to complete the Ten Tors Challenge. We support students to take part as it builds confidence, teamwork, resilience and independence - qualities that will serve them well in the future. The army organisation of the challenge is outstanding and of course none of this would be possible without the volunteers who support all our training and practice walks – parents, staff and members of the community, so a big thank you to them!”

Jock Kelly. Jock contracted Flu (the proper one) in the Cardiac Unit day ward of the QA Portsmouth and is in an isolation unit in the QA. The Southampton Cardiac unit where he is headed for a triple heart bypass and an Aortic Valve replacement will not take him until three days after he has recovered from the Flu. He remains in the QA. He will let us know when he is moved to Southampton. I do not know if he is allowed visitors, it would be wise to check prior to travelling. His mobile number is on Phil's post.

For jock nichol
You tree is not dead, sprouted leaves this year

Hello All
I have just spent some time re-discovering this wonderful website after first discovering it some 10 years ago, my mistake!
Looking at the General Photos certainly brought back some memories so I would like to do my little bit and give some information about the characters in photo Gen758. The character sat down is myself known at the time as Paddy Kerwin. The chap in the middle is Paul Mcmahon from Liverpool and I'm afraid I cant remember the full name of chap on the right but he was Chris, I'm fairly certain, from Wales.
I've got a lot more perusing of the other component parts of the site to do. Best Wishes to all

Thanks for info on Jocks whereabouts: had a good laugh and a chat with him and he sends his thanks for all our good wishes. Regards to all. Mike.

to George Mac ....Just found the site and met up with Ken Kay a couple of weeks ago ....Still have not got over the shock when you and Len Harvey put the wind up me with your SAS kit on arriving on my door step in Catterick ...Happy Days ....Fortunately sill a member of the Working Class ...Regards ..Robbo

Apologies to those taking the trouble to read my previous message. The correct photo is Gen798

Just a thought about Dave Kelly. He claims that all he has for his Christmas Dinner is a small in of sausage and beans. Some years as you know he cant afford that so he just has the beans. This year however. He will be getting a nice NHS Christmas dinner and a visit from the Sally Army. Hopefully he will have had his heart job done and can enjoy this unforeseen windfall. I’m off the the QA in Cosham tomorrow for my oncology review and will endeavor to pop in to see him and wind him up. You all have a great Christmas and a Happy Healthy New Year. If you healthy you can earn money. If not your fucked.