By Isle of Wight Observer
South Wight Area Youth (SWAY) welcomed the High Sheriff, Nigel Hartley, to their Brecons celebration on September 24, at the Hub in Chale. Parents, carers, and young people attended, eager to learn about the High Sheriff role and its history, and to receive their awards.
Every year, SWAY take 28 young people and six leaders on a 5-day mainland residential adventure. Activities include mountain climbing, gorge walking, and caving. This year they also undertook a long tunnel walk following each other in the dark, guided by feel with a stick along the wall.
Evening entertainment provided shared experiences in life and games, one involved paper, elastic bands, string and a fresh egg. The challenge was to drop the egg from height using a contraption built from the items without it breaking – which was achieved by some teams.
Mr Hartley, who grew up in Wales, shared the importance of making memories through a residential courses and presented awards for a range of achievements such as ‘Most adventurous’, ‘Stepping up’ and ‘Top boss’. The award for commitment and volunteering went to Barney Wells.
The evening also celebrated the graduation of Olivia Stemmet, one of SWAY’s youth workers, who has graduated from Moorlands College and is moving to the mainland. A vote of thanks was given for all she has done for SWAY and the young people. The evening concluded with refreshments, and an announcement of the dates and location of next year’s residential course.
