News Archive

Winter 2006/7

Press Release from the successful sponsored paddle and raffle

Six students studying on the Working Together course, which forms part of the Stepping Stones Life Skills programme at North Devon College, were very successful in raising funds for the newly formed Ilfracombe Youth Canoe Club.

Stepping Stones has successfully been working with students from challenging backgrounds for the past five years, but this is the first time that students on the programme have had the chance to work directly with the local community on a project.

The group decided to fundraise for Ilfracombe Youth Canoe Club and aimed to raise enough money to purchase one new canoe and all the necessary equipment, which costs around £550. Previously, the club has had to borrow equipment and canoes from 2 local Outward Bounds instructors who are supporting the set up of the youth group. The students exceeded their expectations by raising over £1,380 through a sponsored fancy dress paddle down the river Taw and a Grand Prize Raffle Draw at North Devon College.

The sponsored paddle took place on the 26th November 2006. All participants arrived on a beautiful morning beside Barnstaple Leisure Centre at 9.30am dressed as Elves, Father Christmases, a 60's hippy and even Batman made an appearance!! The morning went fantastically well, with just the hippy tasting the river Taw.

The Grand Prize Draw was held on Thursday 14th December at North Devon College and was superbly supported by local businesses with many top prizes up for grabs including holidays for 6 at Woolacombe Bay and John Fowler's Holiday Park, a painter and decorator for 3 days and even a meal for 4 at Jamie Oliver's "15" Restaurant near Newquay. Mike O'Brien, Vice-Principal of North Devon College conducted the draw on behalf of the group.

Ilfracombe Youth Canoe Club were thrilled to receive such a large cheque and are now considering a couple of options on how to spend the extra money most effectively. Working Together tutor Tony Beal commented 'This team has set a very high benchmark for future groups to aim for, this group of individuals has shown how much can be done in little over 6 weeks. It is not just about raising the money, but giving the opportunity for young people in the Ilfracombe area to participate in an activity that they would struggle to get the opportunity to do for years to come.'

The students involved were Carol McGill, Jenny Toop, Karen Court, David Wood, Julie Ford and Andrew Ghassemi.

Receiving the cheque from the Stepping Stone Working Together course

The full list of prize winners

Donation from local organisations

In addition to the money raised by the Students on the working together course, we are also very grateful to have recently received several grants and donations from other local organisations including £350 from Ilfracombe Musical Productions, £750 from Ilfracombe Round Table, £2934 from the Local Network Fund, £1200 from Devon Youth Services -Youth Capital Fund, £1000 from the BCU Foundation and £100 from Ilfracombe Rotary and would like to thank everybody who has helped raise these funds.

Andy, Vicky and some of the club members, receiving the donation from Ilfracombe Round table

Tesco's School Vouchers

Not only for schools but also for clubs. So if you have any that you're happy to send our way then we'd be glad to take them off your hands. We are still able to use the vouchers even though they are no longer being given out by Tesco.

IYCC Christmas Party

The Christmas party for parents and coaches was held at Sandy Cove Hotel on the 9th December. About 20 came along for the meal and the dancing that followed. We are very grateful to both the coaches and the parents for all the help that they give to the club, and would like to make a special mention for Carole (in the photo with Andy and Nick) who has worked so hard over this past year with fundraising and all the other things that a secretary has to do. Thanks to her efforts we are on the way to achieving our fundraising target which will enable the club to purchase its own fleet of boats and all the equipment needed to go with them. Carole... you're a star!

Nick, Carole and Andy

YMCA? IYCC surely...

Spring 2007

Day out at Skern Lodge

20 Children from the club went for a day out at Skern Lodge following our award of 'Most Exciting Project' at a celebration of the YOF and YCF in Exeter where we earned a plaque and £500.

The children had a great time building rafts and then racing them on the River Torridge in Bideford before going back to the centre to take part in the assault course and high ropes course.

The all came home very tired after a great day out. Photos to follow soon.

Our new boats have arrived

Most of our new boats have now arrived so our 'fleet' of boats at the moment has one or more Acadia Scouts, Dagger Dynamos, Robson Supersonics, Perception Javas, Pyrannah H3s, open canoes, and older perception dancers. Our aim is to have enough boats (and coaches) so that all the children can be on the water at every session rather than having to spend time on the beach.

Coaching and Training

Vicky, Alison, Ros, Gavin, Edward, Dom and Paul all attended a Canoe Safety Test (CST) course at Skern Lodge which is an essential requirement for becoming a coach at any level. A very cold day some of which was spend upside down in the River Torridge was very worthwhile as most passed first time and those that didnt are being reassessed in the harbour over the coming weeks.

Vicky, Gavin, Nick, Kevin, Dom and Paul did their level 2 coach training, again at Skern Lodge, at the beginning of March which is the foundation of the process of becoming a coach. The two days of training looked at their own kayak skills based on the BCU Three Star syllabus and at different approaches to coaching and encouraging people within paddlesports.

Following the training they each now have to log all their mentored coaching hours and provide evidence of at least 20 hours coaching before going for their assessment to become qualified coaches.