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CCF FIRST UNIT TO BE OFFICIAL GUESTS OF MOROCCO’S ROYAL ARMY

When members of the Combined Cadet Force set off adventure training in Morocco’s Atlas mountains, they had no idea of the welcome awaiting them.

It was a bit more significant than the tagine, couscous and mint tea they were endlessly offered wherever they went - unknowingly, they were to be the first CCF unit to be official guests of the Royal Moroccan Army!

Shortly after arriving, expedition leader Bill Taylor and geography teacher John Baker were unexpectedly summoned to a meeting at the police station in Asni village, a two and a half hour drive away through the foothills, having been told to bring everyone’s passports and the itinerary.

“It took a while to check all the details but once the formalities were complete I was told I was free to go….. after we’d all been for a meal at a local restaurant,” said Mr Taylor, who plans to mountain climb in Patagonia when he retires this summer after 36 years at the school.

“I was about to say my goodbyes when I was informed that I would not be going back alone. A total of 15 police and Army officers would be coming with me and staying the entire week! We drove back accompanied by an escort of police vehicles, complete with flashing lights - everyone thought we had been arrested when we returned!”

It transpired the PGS party were official guests of the Royal Moroccan Army - and the first CCF unit to be so honoured - but back home no one from the Ministry of Defence, which cleared the trip, passed on that information.

“It didn’t matter. Things turned out absolutely brilliantly even though the four members of an elite police squad and 11 from the select 1st Battalion of Ski virtually doubled the size of our party. They couldn’t have been more welcoming or helpful.”

Good friendships were formed and persist and they are proving useful in developing Arabic and English language skills on both sides. When Mr Taylor and pupils last week gave a presentation on the trip to Havant Rotary, Crispin Smith delivered part of it in Arabic, having first sent the translation of his script to the friends he made from Rabat Police Station to check its accuracy.

Led by experienced mountaineer Ross Ashe-Cregan, 11 pupils and five staff members had set off to reach the top of Jebel Toubkal, the highest mountain in North Africa, trekking through the Atlas foothills from ancient Berber village to village with their mules, accompanied every step of the way by their Moroccan hosts. Although they made it to the top hut, they were forced to abandon their assault on the summit due to appalling weather conditions.

Royal Navy cadet Rupert Davis said: “It was a particularly significant trip as it was Captain Taylor’s swansong expedition. I am sure Mr Taylor would agree that it was a highly exciting and fitting end to an era of adventurous training organised and overseen by him. When we said farewell to our Moroccan friends, Mr Taylor presented the military with our PGS banner and the police with our flag and they presented us with Berber rugs which are to go on display in the school.”

Apart from adventure training the recruits enjoyed the sounds and sights of colourful Marrakech, (including its Souk); they experienced a traditional Haman (complete with a rubdown by a male Berber masseuse) and bartered for fake Rolex watches and Ray Ban sunglasses with the locals.

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Portsmouth Grammar School, High Street, Portsmouth, Hampshire, PO1 2LN

Tel: Senior School (023) 9236 0036Nursery & Junior School (023) 9236 4219