On June 25, all the Year 7 students from Holsworthy Community College went on a trip to Okehampton and Launceston Castles, writes students Jack Goodman, Kai Trivett, Brendan Lee.

The weather was fantastic, if anything it was a bit hot.

At Okehampton Castle the students were given a booklet which had a map on the first page that showed what the castle would have looked like hundreds of years ago.

They visited the remains of the Barbican Gate house, where the soldiers guarded the main gatehouse which was the entrance of the castle.

From the gatehouse they could look up at the murder grounds, which is the pathway leading up to the main gatehouse. It was called the murder ground because when soldiers and rebels attacked the castle, they would be shot at and killed in this area. This was a really interesting place at the castle, especially when thinking about the history.

At Launceston Castle they were given a work sheet which they used, in groups, to plot where they would position soldiers or attackers if they were defending or attacking the castle. They were also given props such as hats, capes and swords to dress up in.

They completed a short quiz about the castles and then made their way up the huge motte, on top of which was the keep or main living space of an earl/ lord during an attack on the castle. It is very high and has the most beautiful view of Launceston when at the very top.

The majority of pupils that went on the trip thought that Launceston was a more entertaining castle to visit because more of the walls still stand and there is more room to explore.

For the full report, and a round-up of the area news and sport, see this week's edition of the Post.