OS MEMORIES OF GLOBAL ADVENTURES
THE GREAT EXPEDITION TO THE NORTH
Earlier this year Andrew Mason and I had lunch with our 80-year-old Geography teacher , Tony Theaker . We chatted about the amazing trip that he and fellow master Bill Gray led to the North Cape , Norway , in 1973 . It was clear that his infectious enthusiasm had not diminished .
We realised that 2023 would mark the 50th anniversary of this epic five-week expedition that enriched the lives of eight Sixth Formers . Looking back now the trip wouldn ’ t pass any risk assessments and , unlike today , trips abroad were very unusual .
It was a brave undertaking for two young teachers . Tony and Bill shared the enormous 5500-mile drive , with over 1000 miles on unmade roads . We crammed into the back of a minibus on side-facing wooden bench seats , without seat belts . It was excruciating and we took it in turns to lie on the floor where it was more comfortable . We camped throughout and Tony and Bill did all the cooking . Apparently , it was all army rations .
We travelled across northern Europe to Hamburg , before heading by boat to Denmark , Stockholm and across the Baltic Sea to Helsinki to start the geography . It was over a 900-mile dash from Helsinki
to the North Cape in time for the midnight sun , but the real highlight was travelling through Norway marvelling at the glaciers and the fjords . Tony enthusiastically cried , ‘ This is geography in action , boys .’ We continued to Copenhagen and then Amsterdam .
I still can ’ t believe that two masters gave up five weeks of their summer to inspire a bunch of 17-year-olds . But inspire us they did . Tony retired in 2002 after over 40 years at the school .
We believe eight students were on the trip , and the first five are still in touch : Guy Hollamby , Andrew Mason , Mike Hawkins , John ‘ Pat ’ Alexander , John ‘ Digory ’ Kittow , Steve Woollett , Neville Reid and , we think , Andy Buckell . We would love to hear from the others .
Guy Hollamby ( OS 1974 )
140 OLD SENNOCKIANS