Having explored a number of avenues and finding no willing volunteers to lead the group in the future, it was with a huge amount of sadness that the leaders of the Holsworthy Moorland Training Group (HMTG) recently decided to hang up their boots and wind up the group.

Holsworthy Moorland Training have, for more than 30 years, provided moorland walking coaching for young people from the school at Holsworthy and surrounding areas. The group has over that time helped hundreds of teenagers prepare themselves for the annual Ten Tors challenge.

This event is staged on Dartmoor over a weekend in May each year, when teams of six walk either 35,45 or 55 miles in a set time period. The memories of sore feet and blisters endured by many of the young people will probably last a lifetime.

Over the years, equipment and a small balance of funds has been accumulated by the group. The leaders felt that these assets should remain in Holsworthy to benefit local youth activities and so have donated to two organisations. The equipment has been presented to the school for their Duke of Edinburgh training and the funds have gone to the Holsworthy Scouts Group.

On behalf of HMTG Robert Cole told the Post: “To all the participants involved and to the parents who helped in so many ways, the leaders, past and present, would like to say a huge thank you and hope that you enjoyed the journey as much as we did.”