“Let’s do something different”, it was decided! So, apart from all the normal events and activities throughout the summer months, a purely fun silly event was created at Burcott Gardens, with Prizes Galore, and all before the cold sets in for another year. Despite practically everyone else in England being on holiday that weekend we managed to get three teams together to compete in the first ever ACC TREASURE HUNT.

Beginning at the Pelican Pub the teams were set their overall tasks: Scavenger Hunt lists were handed out with questions to answer on their way and various objects to collect. Plus, the trail was “littered” with challenges to gain extra points and fragments of their final passwords.

The Hunt started off downstream, the next team being released when the previous one returned from the first challenge at the footbridge downstream from the pub. This was to answer questions in order to collect time bonuses and then play a slalom and basketball net game for the duration of the acquired time, which tested the group’s teamwork and knowledge. Unfortunately, poor Andy didn’t have an answer sheet for the questions devised by Sean and was forced to leave out a few of the trickier ones as he didn’t know the answers!!! (Back of the class, Dodson!)

The next challenge was at Coxes Lock where Kev had set up a flock of rubber ducks each with a tag attached to its undercarriage. Again, it was questions and tasks, which had to be achieved for points and this saw people forced to chariot-race across the water, pop water and flour filled balloons with a spiky helmet and attempt a limbo gate.

Now on their way to the Clubhouse, the teams were ambushed by a surprise attacking force in the shape of Sid and Clare fully dressed as Pirates paddling an open Canadian complete with mast rigging and ramming pole. The brave pirates were a little frozen as while waiting for their victims they had got involved in their own private little fight, ending up in the total capsize of the “Elite Fighting Forces” boat!! Embarrassment over, they managed to put up a brave “wet sponge” fight against all the teams despite Sid’s pleas for reinforcements bearing mugs of steaming tea…

The last game on the Canal just outside the Clubhouse was a logic test devised by Seal so that if any of us ever need to cross a river with several totally incompatible items of livestock and perishable goods, we’ll be prepared!

Finally, the teams were told of their prizes – but with a catch: They had to find them first, hidden all over the Club site, by following clues, an exercise that warmed everyone up after a tiring but great fun event. With a bit more notice and a better date, this should become a regular event on the Club calendar in future years.

By Jezz Whatmore, September 1999