Regional Info

Kent

Three Peaks Challenge - Team from Kent

February 2010

The Kent committee were thrilled to receive a cheque from the brave team from Kent who tackled the Three Peaks.

A huge thank you for this generous donation.

January 2010

The original idea came from James Thompson and was seen as a way for us to cope with the end of the shooting season. Because of this he was crowned out leader led us with courage and distinction. We began training in Feb ’09. Meeting up early on Saturday mornings to go for long training walks. Some people managed to do their own training even venturing in to the gym! By May we were beginning to get quite fit and had a test run doing the Five Church Walk around the parishes of Boughton Aluph, Chartham, Chilham etc. Worryingly we got lost and ended up doing 17 or 18 miles. But it was a good tester for us. Seeing as our challenge would partially be in the dark one of our final training sessions was from Wye to Chilham at night. We sped over to Chilham in such a good time we had to stop for a quick refreshment at the White Horse. Four or so pints later we cheerily rocketed our way back to Wye. By the time of our swift return we were convinced that doing the full 24 hours fuelled by beer was the way forward. The next morning it wasn’t so clear.

Finally the big event came and the advance party set off to Scotland with all the food, kit and general supplies. They were to drive up the night before in a Land Rover and meet the rest of the team from the plane who would then follow in a mini bus provided by one of our generous sponsors. The advance party made it to Scotland in good time and after a high carb meal were soberly tucked up in bed by 10pm, much to the surprise of the rest of the team.

The full gang was reunited around a rather dubious plate of macaroni cheese at the curiously named ‘Welcome Centre’ in Fort William near Ben Nevis. We were rearing to go by 5pm on 4th June. There were two start points we could choose from. The easy but longer or the harder but shorter. Being determined and fit we took the latter. Five minuets in and the idle banter had vanished and a grim and silent realization had sent in that we were in for an arduous and painful 24 hours! But no one showed it and we cracked on however quietly feeling they may have made a grave error in taking part.

As we reached higher up the mountain it all began to fall into place and we were seeing the fruits of our training. We got a good rhythm going and things began to look up. The evening sun set was amazing and the good weather stayed with us pretty much the whole time. It was strange going above the snowline on a mountain in the UK in early June. The higher we got the more stunning the views became. The large darkness of the cloud that sat above the mountain like a cartoon headache was made even more dramatic by the sun set reflecting of the surrounding lakes. We reached the summit had a quick breather and started our decent. During this a member of the team began to suffer the affects of the dubious macaroni cheese. This meal would come back to haunt all of us in some form or other during the course of the challenge creating a great deal of hilarity for most people involved.

We reached the base of Ben Nevis just before 11pm. Being so far north it was still light and after a nerve racking few moments biting our nails as the drivers jump started one of the vehicles we hopped aboard and headed for Scafell Pike. This leg or the journey was where are challenge turned from being achieved in a really quick and impressive time to just squeaking through the 24 hour barrier. We hit heavy traffic and probably lost two hours off our time.

We arrived at that the base of Scafell Pike at about 5am. Everyone was a bit stiff and sleepy but still keen to get on. We were very aware of the benefits of keeping fed and watered and had been downing as much food and water as possible inbetween broken sleep. One of the team had supplied everyone with army ration packs. Great for storage and ease of use but the phrase ‘an army marches on its stomach’ seems to have been lost in terms of flavour and general enjoyment. But they did the job and kept us going.

Scafell Pike is a hard and nasty mountain. It didn’t give us the impression it really wanted us there. In the twilight of early morning it towered over us menacingly. The whole thing was hard going with no easy bits where you can catch your breath. All the while individuals were dealing with their own inner demons. Some kept outwardly chirpy others went in on themselves as it became harder and harder to put one foot in front of the other. No one even mentioned that they might not complete the challenge but I’m sure everyone at some point or other had to deal with that question in their heads. The descents were becoming harder than the ascents with the continual hammering of our knees really beginning to burn. It became easier to run down the hills than walk.

We reached the vehicles in good time and sped onto the last hill Snowdon. This time we had the drivers joining us which was great as they had worked just as hard as us staying awake and keeping us fed during the first two mountains and so it was good to have them with us on the final leg. However much we drank we were all beginning to suffer from dehydration and utter exhaustion. It was abit like being drunk just not as funny. The up and the down came and went in a mechanical haze. One foot in front of the other, again and again and again. But as the end drifted into sight everyone spirits lifted and gave it one last push and we sailed through the finish line at the base of Snowdon with half an hour to spare. Fantastic! The euphoric feeling of achievement was immense and we headed down to our hotel in the village with heads filled with celebrations. After a really overdue shower we piled into the bar for a few well earned drinks. The booze began to flow as everyone regaled stories of amazing endurance and endeavor. But by 8pm we were all tucked up in bed and out for the count.

A great challenge and a great experience with a fine bunch of friends. We are all somehow better off for it and added to that we helped raise nearly £12,000 for our charities. Next time we’ll really go for it!

David Netherclift Retires

January 2010

After over 40 years of support for RABI, David Netherclift who has spent the last few years as Treasurer of the Kent committee has decided to step down.

The committee clubbed together and presented him with a sundial and garden vouchers.

Thank you to David from everyone at RABI for his continued hard work and support.

Plough Sunday Service, Rochester Cathedral

January 2010

The annual Plough Sunday Service at Rochester Cathedral, was again very well attended.

The congregation of over 150 were treated to a fantastic sermon by John Oliver, RABI Chaplain.

Kent Farmhouse Breakfasts

January 2010

Four breakfasts in different venue’s across the county - this was the challenge taken up by the Kent committee for Farmhouse Breakfast Week.

The breakfasts took place at:

Ashford Market, Ashford,- 20th January
Greenfields Shooting Lodge, Canterbury – 27th January
The Dirty Habit, Hollingbourne – 29th January
Highgrove Garden Centre – 4th February

With about 50 people attending each one they raised over £2,000.

A big thank you must go to David Chantler, David Brummell, Andrew Brealy and Sheila Adams and to supporters Homeleigh Timber, Staplehurst & Aylesford who kindly sponsored all the breakfasts at Highgrove Garden Centre.

Ashford Fatstock Show

December 2009

RABI was well represented at the Ashford Fatstock Show at Amos Hall, Ashford. Always a good place to mingle with the farming community and to stock up on Christmas cards.

Caroline Fletcher and David Chantler raised £500 from a whiskey raffle, sponsored by AMC and the sale of RABI cards.

Harvest Supper

October 2009

The Kent Harvest Supper with raffle and auction took place on the 24th October at Amos Hall, Ashford.

It was a very simple evening enjoyed by everyone which raised over £5,000. The food catered by Mandy and her team at the market was as always excellent.

Unfortunately Charles Gunther who has regularly donated paintings done with a Woodcock feather which have always raised considerable amounts of money in the auction sadly died not long after the supper after a very short illness. Our condolences must go to his family.