We said farewell in September to many senior members of the unit - including the class of '78 - although the younger ones readily stepped up to take on their leadership roles. More can be read on this - and the class of '78 - in the VSL's article in Edition 40 of Venture 44.
So the life of the 44th continued very much as normal this year, the usual activities and service projects being undertaken. Beds were pushed, competitions entered and some (almost) won! Our magazine Venture 44 won a 'Highly Commended' in a competition run by the national 'Scouting' magazine.
We note with sadness and fond memories the passing of Idris Williams, a long serving Chemistry teacher, who inspired many a boy at Tommies to further their interest and careers in Chemistry and its related subjects. Our own VSL perhaps among them. We're sure more will be written in The Richian of his lengthy time at Rich's.
The VSL himself was incapacitated for several weeks in April & May following a ski-ing mishap when on his Easter holidays in Norway. He was back in (near) full swing by the second half of the summer term, although approached several activities a little more carefully!
Our summer expedition was to Orkney. Venture 44 will dedicate one of its early editions next year to our accounts of this fascinating and history rich region of the British Isles. In the meantime, here are some images of some of the places we saw and experienced ...
Postcards from Orkney - Summer Expedition 1982
Venture 44 Edition 43 (published May 1982, Editor: Jer Hobbs) - Editorial, Sports Report (Stu Bishop), The Adventures of Zebedee II (Brian Symcox), Life in a German City (Jer Hobbs), Annual Accounts 1981-1982 (Rich Kerswell), Stars on Ice (Rob Halford), Bridge Over the River (Paul Venn), From All Points
Venture 44 Edition 42 (published March 1982, Editor: Jeremy Hobbs) - Editorial, Sports & Social Round Up (Stu Bishop), Scottish Expedition 1981 Report, Cotswold Marathon 1982 (Mike Barton)
Venture 44 Edition 41 (published December 1981, Editor: Jeremy Hobbs) - Editor's Notes, Idris Williams (FH), Paddle 81 - Part the Second (Phil Brown), From All Points, Motorbike Racing (Steve Davies)
Venture 44 Edition 40 (published September 1981, Editor: Jeremy Hobbs) - Editorial, Life Behind the Iron Curtain (Hugo Ashby), VSL's Notes, Balance Sheet 1980-81, Gloucestershire Cricket 1981 (Iain Weir), Paddle 81 - the T-shirt Saga (Phil Brown), Information Desk