| Jackie
Stockman was moved to organise the event thanks to the inspiration
of a group of retired Royal Signallers , now in their mid 60s,
who have pledged to do the Ten Tors Challenge next May, 50 years
after the event began. One of the men Bob Etherton took part
in 1960 as a Denbury boy soldier when the challenge of walking
the Tors on Dartmoor was started by the Junior Leaders Regiment
of the Royal Signals. Fifty years on the men will be walking
the Tors raising money for their service charities, the Royal
Signal Association and Help for Heroes.
Jackie said,” I was so
amazed at what they were planning to do and how brilliant these
men were at caring for and understanding the present day plight
of the soldiers who are caught up in combat. It's really like
one big family to them, especially as some have serving sons
and I just wanted to help them support their charities.”
In arranging the charity
night out, band Hobson's Choice agreed to donate their services.
The group including vocalists Craig Huxley and Leahman Pratt-Young,
Chris Reeves on lead guitar, David Perkin on rhythm guitar,
Joe Maddison on bass guitar, Ben Hyde on drums and Steve Gravett
on keyboard, rehearsed weeks in advance, in rooms provided by
Lupton House. With an ex Royal Marine in their ranks, they were
joined on the night by brass players Steve Bourne to enhance
their Rhythm and Blues section, creating a dazzling evening
of live music with the aid of Andi Lynes and Abel Music's sound
system.
Jackie said, “Everyone
one who's got involved in the project has offered their services
free of charge including DJ Steve J. Talent who provided the
evening's disco and the Berry Head Hotel, who went a step further
than just offering the venue, by donating a weekend away at
their Looe Hotel , for the Prize Draw.”
Jackie also said,” The
old Denbury Boy Soldiers going on the Ten Tors challenge in
2010, have 200 years service to this country between them. They
have come back from wars such as the Falkland's and the first
Gulf War, so they know what troops today are facing and at their
age are still prepared to give themselves to help others .”
Despite the appalling
weather conditions, most people turned up to make it an exceptionally
successful evening, with money raised at the event match funded
up to £700 by Abbey. This money was intended to be given
as sponsorship money for the Denbury Boys at next May's Ten
Tors Challenge. However the men have generously said that the
£2264.10 raised, can be transfered to the charities as
soon as possible.
If you want an
opportunity to hear Hobson's Choice live, then they will be
at the Bullers Arms, after the Town Christmas light switching
on ceremony at 4pm at the harbour, on Saturday November 28th
.
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