The New Lyke Wake Club

Crossing of Old : 23rd/24th February 1975

This is to record a crossing by staff and pupils from St Michael’s School, Stevenage, Herts. This took place over the west to east “classic route” on 23rd/24th February 1975 so I along with the other pupils were in what was then called the 6th form. I think this would be year 13 in modern parlance.

From memory we camped at the Lion Inn. The teachers took us to Osmotherley in the school minibus in the early hours of 23rd February to sign in and begin the arduous trek. We were met by the minibus at points where the trail crossed serviceable roads and were fed and watered appropriately.

We concluded our 17.5 hour marathon at the classic route end point of the bar at the Raven Hall Hotel, arriving just after midnight so the first few minutes of 24th February.

Conversation points through the route included the state of our feet after 40 miles of walking through bogs; Johnny Cash (one of our number was a big Cash fan); and the lack of adequate sanitary arrangements on open moorland. Usual eclectic mix of topics for a bunch of 1970s sixth formers!

Physics teacher and party leader: Les Debenham.
Sixth formers: Myself (Geoff Plucknett) and Mick Quinn (the Johnny Cash fan).