Welcome to Ten Tors 2021

Welcome to the Ten Tors 2021 web site. You can look back on Ten Tors 2020 and previous years in the archive.

Wed 31 Mar 2021 — Dartmoor 500 Word Writing Competition

The Ten Tors organisers would like young people who have been inspired by Dartmoor to write about it in 500 words or less in the form of a writing competition. Your submission can be anything to do with Dartmoor – a poem, an essay or a story. Examples might include (but are not limited to) Ten Tors training, a family walk, a terrifying ghost story, either new or an old one retold, or simply a beautifully crafted piece describing this evocative landscape.

Rules

• Entrants must be between the ages of 14-19
• The subject must be Dartmoor-based
• The submission must be 500 words or less, excluding the title
• Entries must be enjoyable or inspiring to read
• Written pieces should be the original work of the entrant and must not infringe the rights of any other party
• Deadline: Midnight Friday 31^st May 2021

How to Enter

Send entries in a Word Document as an email attachment to SWHQ-TenTors-MAILBOX@mod.gov.uk

• Include your name and the title of the piece
• Entries will be forwarded to the relevant judges who will be some of the Ten Tors Committee

Prizes

• To include a gift voucher and the winner will have their work added to the Ten Tors website for all to read.

Inspiration

• BBC Radio 2 ran the 500 Words competition for several years. For hints and tips see https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/2yWPLdvFHrYgM7YYvzfF5XX/7-tips-and-tricks-for-writing-a-spectacular-short-story
• From the Ten Tors website, A Participant’s View was written by a former TGGS pupil https://www.tentors.org.uk/services/in-the-news

A column in a national newspaper https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2002/apr/13/guardianreview.books7

Wed 17 Mar 2021 — Key Dates 2022

The key dates for Ten Tors 2022 can be found here.

Mon 8 Mar 2021 — A statement from the Director Ten Tors, Colonel Neville Holmes MBE

It is with regret that I have to announce it is no longer possible to hold a physical Ten Tors event on Dartmoor this May. As you know, we have been working closely with the local authorities and Ten Tors Policy Committee to plan a safe and enjoyable event but the restrictions that will still be in place over that period mean this is no longer possible. I know this will be a huge disappointment to many however, given that safety is always our number one priority, I hope you understand. We are planning to enable a virtual event which teams may wish to conduct closer to home during 2021 to keep the Ten Tors ‘flame alive’ and if so, please look out for more details to follow shortly. I can also confirm plans are already well underway to run a full Ten Tors event in May 2022 and look forward to seeing you all then. In the meantime, I would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for your forbearance and to hope you and your families stay safe and well.

Fri 12 Feb 2021 — Volunteer Awards

Due to the format of this year’s Ten Tors Event and the need to social distance, there won’t the opportunity to present Volunteer Awards as usual.

Establishments can include this year’s training towards an award, and we intend to present awards from both 2020 and 2021 at the Event in 2022.

Mon 1 Feb 2021 — Format for Ten Tors 21

This brief aims to assist TMs planning for the TTC and JC. Rule changes and further detail will be promulgated in the next month.

Covid-19. We anticipate that many of the COVID-19 restrictions will still be in force in May requiring Ten Tors to have robust control measures. Whilst we do not know what will be required in May, decisions have already been taken neither to invite VIPs, traders, nor permit team staff and participants to overnight at Okehampton Camp and not to permit spectators. We anticipate that the rules will require masks if close to other bubbles and that social distancing will be required. Teams (including Team Staff) will be required to operate as separate bubbles throughout, including journeys to and from the Event. Stewards will enforce the rules required by our risk assessment.

Training. A minimum of 3 days training will be required, of which at least one day is to be on Dartmoor. To reduce impact on the area of the One Day Challenges, only one day of training North of the 87 northing will be permitted.

Pre-Registration and Registration. To avoid delays in the morning before the Challenges, nearly all of the administration is being moved to digital Pre-Registration. TMs will be required to upload their team’s information through their Website portal, download forms, select their preferred TTC day before allocation 3 weeks in advance, sign the Compliance Form, followed on the Mon preceding the Challenges (3 May) by downloading their team’s Control Cards and Wristband inserts and delivering the Safety Brief. Wristband holders will be mailed out. Pre-Registration will remain open for last minute amendments until midnight before each day’s Challenge to avoid changes being made at Okehampton Camp.

Arrival. On the morning of each Challenge, Establishments will be required to arrive at pre-announced set times with the closest arriving first and the more distant later. Cars will park on the Triangular Field, normally used for camping, with team minibuses parking and coaches debussing on the Square. Free vehicle passes will be issued through the Team Manager’s portals for printing and duplication, as necessary. Each team, with one staff member, will move in its bubble along signposted routes (red for clockwise teams and green for anti-clockwise routes). They will move through Registration, which will only include a final check of team Control Card and Wristbands and collection of the team’s Tracker, before continuing to the Start.

Ten Tors Challenge. There are significant changes to the Challenge. To allow distant Establishments time to travel, the start from Okehampton Camp will be at 0830hrs, with the Finish closing 10 ½ hours later at 1900hrs, although it is expected that most teams will finish much earlier. The routes will be of 25, 30 and 35 km for, respectively, the 35, 45 and 55 mile age groups. There will be 10 manned locations, all of which are Safety Controls and are vehicle accessible, in the northern half of the North Moor. To replicate the full TTC, the listed clothing and kit is to be carried. If training opportunities are limited, 35mile teams may be required to have an accompanying walking qualified adult and/or the load could be reduced to that required for a day walk with emergency overnight kit.

Jubilee Challenge. The Jubilee Challenge (JC), which will start at 0930hrs and close at 1900hrs, will remain largely unchanged. To maintain separation and to avoid overtaking, fast teams will start before the teams likely to be slower. The 4 routes are unchanged, and the Safety Control procedures remain the same.

Finish and Presentations Processes. The Finish arrangements will be like 2019, except for greater spacing in holding areas. The Presentations method will be dependent on Covid restrictions. A photographer will be present. Team Managers or a deputy will call forward their transport and escort their team back to the vehicles.

Enablers. Safety will continue to be paramount, with DRG, Scrutineers, helicopters and First Aid Posts all being deployed. Safety Stewards in and around Okehampton Camp will enforce Covid restrictions. Enablers will be accommodated where possible.

Results. To keep parents and supporters informed, we will, as usual, publish teams’ progress on the Ten Tors Website as well as on other social media. Team information will not be published in PInfo as in previous years.

Virtual Option. If COVID-19 restrictions prevent at least one month’s training opportunities, a decision will be taken no later than 28 Mar, to support establishments’ delivery of a Virtual Event between May and the end of Sep. This would seek to mirror the physical TTC and JC as far as is possible, ensuring Covid compliance. Participants’ success will be acknowledged and rewarded by the presentation of a certificate and a Ten Tors medal.