Ironbridge 2010

On Monday 14 June 2010, 20 Intrepid Year 10 students embarked on an adventurous trip to Ironbridge in Shropshire.  Judging by the size of the bags that the students brought, some had mistaken a 5 day trip for 5 weeks, with the minibus creaking under the strain of the luggage!

To make the most of our 4 hour journey, a visit to RAF Cosford was organised enroute and we had a chance to do some experiments explaining the principles of flight as well as visit the 5 hangers full of exhibits.

In the evening it was off to Telford to go bowling and also to catch up on some of the World Cup Football.

Following a good night's sleep the packed programme continued.  First a visit to Blists Hill Victorian Town, voted one of the top 3 museums in the country.

Here we were able to browse in shops that have been put in a time-warp with the staff dressed and living as Victorians and products appropriate to the era on sale.

Over the last 2 years a whole new street has been added; the buildings either being original buildings moved to the site or copies of buildings existing in other parts of the country.

At lunch time we left Blist Hill for the start of two days of outdoor activities including some of the highlights of the week; quad-biking, horse riding, canoeing, high ropes, caving and laser tag.  Some of the loudest members of the group soon became very quiet once they were up in the trees 20 metres off the ground or on the back of a horse.

Adriano also scores top marks for effort in his attempt to bring his quad bike home with him by getting lost and heading completely off the quad bike trail.

The two days at the outdoor centre were rounded off with a barbeque on a gloriously sunny evening.  Thiswas probably the quietest night, with everyone sleeping like logs ance we got back to the youth hostel.

With most of the group still  a little tired from the activities at the outdoor centre, Thursday was a quiet day which included a range of visits

First was a visit to Ironbridge Power Station to see how electricity is generated at a coal fired power station, then onto Jackfield Tile Museum, run by a company that are responsible for the tiles that cover many famous buildings in London, including some of London's underground stations and Westminster Abbey.  Following a picnic on the banks of the river Severn, it was off to 'Enginuity', the national design and technology exhibition.  We spent two hours at Enginuity, playing with a wide range of hands-on exhibits, learning all about Design and Technology.

The last evening included a walk down to Ironbridge to see the bridge and also to enjoy a glass of cola on the banks of the river before returning to the hostel to join a French school who were also enjoying a last night party.

All in all it was an amazing week and thanks must go to all the staff for their hard work and the students who were a pleasure to be with.