By Lucy Body, Shebbear College Ten Tors Co-ordinator

WHAT an event! An incredible weekend for anyone to see and something that everyone should experience during some point of their time at Shebbear, even if it's just to go up to the finish line one day and cheer the teams as they walk wearily across the finish line.

The event started early for all involved. On Thursday morning, Mr Kingsland and I headed down to Okehampton Camp to set up camp. As a 'newbie' to the Ten Tors event, I was blown away with how quickly the fields around the army camp become an organised tented village, with every school running to claim their pitch for the weekend!

The new base tent (thank you Mr Horn, Bursar) stood proud in the field and for the first time, the team were able to see just how big an event Ten Tors is and what lay ahead. I think a few pupils felt slightly uneasy! I don't blame them — only when you are at camp do you experience the true enormity of this event.

Once the teams had been registered, Friday was spent planning routes and being scrutinised, including a kit check. Thankfully Team 55 got a free pass to scrutiny due to having an excellent past record of good checks, thanks to Mrs Bearpark.

With routes planned, kit checked and continuously full bellies, thanks to Mitch's incredible camp cooking, the team were in good spirits and ready for the early start on Saturday morning. When I say early, I mean 5am! Although dark and slightly damp, the team awoke to the sounds of OMI (Cheerleader) blasting from the speakers! A hearty breakfast of porridge and fresh fruit helped the team spring to life and as the whole of Okehampton camp started to swarm towards the start line, the heavens opened!

One minute there were 400 teams on the start line, then a bang (the guns going off), then all of a sudden they were gone, as if the event had never happened. It really was that quick.

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