ON October 7, a number of pupils and ex-pupils from Chulmleigh Community College took part in the Abbots Way Walk.

The Abbots Way is an ancient route across Dartmoor, just under 25 miles from Buckfast Abbey to Tavistock (though it ran the other way round this year, finishing at Buckfast to celebrate the 1,000th anniversary of the Abbey).

The aim is to set off at sunrise and finish on the other side of Dartmoor by sunset, but Chulmleigh’s exceptional pupils did a lot better than sunset!

In addition to the school team, Chulmleigh’s associated charity (Sea Moor Explore) entered two teams, and all three teams did extremely well.

This was the 55th year of the Abbots Way Challenge, and the teams woke up to a freezing morning - literally, with ice crusting the tents.

After breakfast teams were driven a couple of miles from the campsite to Tavistock to begin the challenge, leaving at around 7.30am.

This was a challenging walk and Chulmleigh Commmunity College only enters teams which have completed Ten Tors training.

Sea Moor Explore’s team of eight Year 12/13 pupils (including six ex-Chulmleigh College pupils) were the second team to the finish (out of just under 100 teams) at 2.20pm.

The College team, mainly Year 10 pupils, was very close behind, in seventh place, just 30 minutes after them, and the second Sea Moor Explore Team (mainly Year 11 College pupils) finished a little later, looking fresh and cheerful as they ate their celebratory pasties.

The College said impressive competence, maturity and resilience was shown by all those who took part, adding that everyone was very proud of their achievements.