TAVISTOCK and District Education Forum is due to celebrate 20 years of involvement in the Ten Tors challenge.

The group were approached by a team of young people in 1996 and entered a team in the 55-mile distance in 1997.

Managers of the team were then tasked with finding the rest of the team and training them; before attending a two day managers’ training course to better their understanding of the rules of the event.

Team manager Peter Challiss said: ‘We started training, got to four members then got up to a full team of six. In those days the 55-mile routes went as far south as Great Trowlesworthy and Pupers Rocks.

‘We went to the 1997 event and found tent space on the Friday, then had to find the registration building, kit check and safety video.

‘All off on the Saturday morning, by mid-afternoon the fog had descended and reportings in the main hanger were sparse, but many teams on the same route were similar.’

On Sunday morning the team were still walking, pushing on after lunch and by mid- afternoon the Tavistock and District Education Forum’s first 55-mile Ten Tors team, with a full number of six, had completed the walk.

The team leader from this team finished college and returned to manage her own team and has completed more than ten years of management of the Ten Tors’ teams.

Peter added: ‘We had caught the bug as we entered a 55 team in 1998 and again a full team finished at 4.50pm, rather close to the time limit of 5pm.

‘We repeated a full 55 team in 1999 and 2000. In 2001 we were brave, or foolhardy, as we asked for and were given 35 and 55 mile team places, but foot and mouth struck and the event was cancelled.

‘We were still back again in 2002 but this time, we applied and were given a 35, 45 and 55 mile team – very hard work.

‘By 2016 we will have completed 20 years’ involvement with Ten Tors. More than 250 young people have been trained by 37 volunteer adults who have given 20 years worth of service, with the original leaders still involved.

‘To enter and run Ten Tors teams costs a lot of money. In the early years, our group paid all the costs but as we got more teams and expenses increased, we have raised the fees for participants. Even in 2015 when we charged participants £130 each and received grants of £1,000, we still made a loss of over £400.

‘For the 2016 event we have to increase the cost per head to £150, but through a grant from The Farringdon House School Charitable Trust we will be able to offer concessions for eligible entries and also help with a kit subsidy as well. This will hopefully make the event open to all.’

We have been given a 35, 45 and 55-mile team paces for the 2016 event and are looking for participants.

For further details contact Peter Challiss on [email protected]