“I’ve had an idea,” said Brad and so Drascamp was born, and with a winter of planning, borrowing, acquiring and booking, we arrived at the week of the camp.
Cleveal Point, on the southern edge of Poole Harbour, was the superb venue, with water on two sides, looking out across the harbour. It had a small creek and beach area for the boats and an ‘imported’ pontoon to aide access to the shore for some of the bigger boats. Gradually over the Tuesday, a Glastonburyesque camp emerged. Brightly coloured tents, flags and a multitude of boats, bikes and canoes soon populated the field.
On the first day there was a harbour based quiz that took people to unusual areas of the harbour and encouraged further day sailing or exploration by canoe during the rest of the week.
Back on shore there was a variety of entertainment during the week, including an opportunity provided by Brenscombe Outdoor Centre for the children to use their rope climbing area. Other activities included a horse racing event that was put together with children and adults alike competing to be first past the post.
A sing song lead by Andy Cooper took us all back to children’s songs of yester year and not so yester year…..never knew ‘Wheels on the bus ‘ had so many verses….. one young lady stood up in front of the sizeable crowd and treated us all a solo….very brave and well sung too.
Other events included a fascinating tea ceremony given Tony, who, along with David, had brought some youngsters from the 38th and 40th Strood Sea Scouts. Tony has travelled extensively in the Himalayas and Tibet in particular, and provided a fascinating insight into the importance of tea and ceremony in that region.
We were treated to fly pasts from the Bournemouth air show and on Thursday and Friday nights enjoyed the fireworks that could be seen rising into the sky from Bournemouth and then, more locally, Poole – grandstand seats from across the harbour.
The week concluded with some windy and wet weather, which meant that local attractions were paid a visit but many campers steadfastly remained for the fish and chip supper on the last night.
102 people, 32 boats, 9 different models of Drascombe were represented – the event was a huge success, partly due to the people who attended and really got involved – but also due to the dynamism of Brad, ably assisted by Bob , the organisation and adminstration, as well as financial support from Sharon at CBL , and many others including NCP Tony, Andy P for the quiz that wasn’t to be and Andy C for the sing a long – and we’re doing it all again…but not til 2018…….
