Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 24 Page 25 Page 26 Page 27 Page 28 Page 29 Page 30 Page 31 Page 32 Page 33 Page 34 Page 35 Page 36 Page 37 Page 38 Page 39 Page 40 Page 41 Page 42 Page 43 Page 44 Page 45 Page 46 Page 47 Page 48 Page 49 Page 50 Page 51 Page 52 Page 53 Page 54 Page 55 Page 56 Page 57 Page 58 Page 59 Page 60 Page 61 Page 62 Page 63 Page 64 Page 65 Page 66 Page 67 Page 68 Page 69 Page 70 Page 71 Page 72 Page 73 Page 74 Page 75 Page 76 Page 77 Page 78 Page 79 Page 80 Page 81 Page 82 Page 83 Page 84 Page 85 Page 86 Page 87 Page 88 Page 89 Page 90 Page 91 Page 92 Page 93 Page 94 Page 95 Page 96Are you tough enough? Well, three junior teams and one senior team were! They took part in the infamous Tour de Trigs (www. tourdetrigs.org.uk) on 5th and 6th December. This is an international hiking competition in teams of three and is far more difficult than a glance at the maps would suggest. On the first weekend in December a combination of winter weather, lack of daylight, glutinous ploughed fields, poorly defined footpaths and numerous hills makes the hike a serious challenge. Add to this the distance: at least 30 miles for the Junior teams (aged 15-17) and 50 miles for the Senior teams (aged 18+), clearly requiring a great deal of stamina and determination. The route is only revealed 30 minutes before each team’s start time and is presented as a series of grid references. Teams have to plot the route as carefully as possible to avoid missing essential checkpoints and self-clip controls. Accurate compass work and map reading necessarily follow whilst actually hiking the route. To finish the route within the time allowed (15 hours for Juniors and 24 hours for Seniors) is a massive achievement, but to complete as a team is something of which hikers can be justifiably proud. This year the team comprising Callum Pearman, Daniel Hobbins and Barnaby Winser completed the Junior Hike in 11 hours 28 minutes and won no less than five trophies: fastest junior team, fastest junior male, fastest schools team, fastest handicap (school is more than 30 miles from Banbury) and D of E Silver. The team comprising James Goodwin, Jamie Nicolson and Sher Chattha completed the Junior Hike in 11 hours and 52 minutes and were runners-up for all of the above trophies! Unfortunately, two members of our third junior team suffered from crippling blisters and had to retire after 24 miles. Our senior team, led by Anne Wade, also achieved success by completing the Senior Hike in 17 hours 31 minutes and winning another table full of trophies, including the Tour de Trigs Trophy for the fastest senior team. To put this success into perspective, the second senior team did not finish until 5 hours later! The Tour de Trigs is a proud supporter of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, especially as many of the life skills required to successfully undertake the Tour are relevant for D of E: Training, Planning (logistics and safety), Preparation, Navigation, Teamwork, Knowledge, use and choice of equipment and food. Next year there will also be a Taster Hike of 15 miles for Bronze D of E participants (aged 14+). Well done to all involved! Mrs Wade Trophy hunTers: Tour de Trigs suCCess series of grid references. Teams have to plot Silver. The team comprising James Goodwin, Jamie Nicolson and Sher Chattha completed the Junior Hike in 11 hours and 52 minutes and were runners-up for all of the above trophies! Unfortunately, two members of our third junior team suffered from crippling blisters and had to retire after 24 miles. Our senior team, led by Anne Wade, also achieved success by completing the Senior Hike in 17 hours 31 minutes and winning another table full of trophies, including the Tour de Trigs Trophy for the fastest senior team. To put this success into perspective, the second senior team did not finish until 5 hours later! Are you tough enough? Well, three junior teams and one senior team were! They took part in the infamous Tour de Trigs (www. series of grid references. Teams have to plot the route as carefully as possible to avoid missing essential checkpoints and self-clip Are you tough enough? Well, three junior series of grid references. Teams have to plot 20 | The CovenTrian