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Survival and Bushcraft Course, Held on 9th May 2009 at Skirmish Billericay. click on the images to enlarge.
TV survival star hosts local training day.
BBC Castaway reality show star Kenneth Rose gave a bush craft course in woods at Billericay on Saturday 9th May. The event was the first session of a new activity at the Skirmish Paintball site at Outwood Farm Road.
For the courses Ken draws on over 22 years of service in the Royal Marines and emphasises safety throughout.
Skirmish Operations Manager Adam Chessell, who also took part, said “Although we were mostly complete novices he was the consummate professional with such a charming manner that he instantly put us all at ease.”
“Everyone agreed it was a very useful day and a fun way to learn some serious information and vital skills that could save your life.” He added.
Adam’s full account of the day follows:
After the initial safety briefing we were told that we should think of ourselves as being in a survival situation for the rest of the day.
Ken said “It’s easy to sit back and watch something on TV or learn from a book but you need to totally immerse yourself in the situation.”
The temperature dropped as we went under the canopy and moved through the beautiful woodland at Skirmish then thoughts started to enter my mind that this course was going to be the real deal.
The training began with a theory lesson on fire building and lighting then we cracked straight on and got our office worker hands dirty. The next few hours were spent with Ken and his team learning essential techniques for surviving various situations which you could possibly find yourself in and what kit you need to have, not just to climb Mount Everest but also what kit you need when walking in your local country park. The survival or grab bag lesson is truly amazing with everyday things being adapted to help you survive.
The instruction from Ken was very interactive, he wasn’t just telling us how to do things but asking us “what would you do if this happened?” we would answer back and then realise why we were on this course as Ken’s vast knowledge suggested different or more efficient ways to do the same task.
Team work was imperative and also one of Ken’s many mantras. We were split into teams of threes and really had to work together. To my surprise the groups really started to bond early on and a friendly an air of competitiveness began.
After the instructors gave us a brief and an all too easy looking demonstration on how to make a shelter from the natural resources around them it was our turn. The competition started all over again as each team wanted to build the best shelter. All the while Ken is giving out advice and answering questions and really giving support to the whole group.
As the afternoon progressed a real sense of comradeship within the whole group was evident and as we sat around the main camp fire and making the famous “brew” that I had heard so much about we discussed ideas about survival openly and frankly. I think it was at this point that we all realised that while the day had been educational and certainly fun we were dealing with incredibly serious subject matter. I remember thinking before the course that going wouldn’t help me greatly in “real life” I mean I work in a town centre and live in a highly populated area! But right then at that moment I thought what happens when I break down at 10pm at on a country road in the middle of nowhere with only my mobile phone (which never has any battery life or signal) and I haven’t got my essential ‘Survival Bag’ in my car. Panic grips me suddenly but I am pulled back to the camp fire and the voices still discussing the ‘What Ifs’
As we ended the day and returned to the reception area at Skirmish I found myself wanting to learn more from Skirmish as did my fellow students. Ken and his instructors have a vast wealth of knowledge they are just waiting to be learned from and they are always right there to answer any questions. It was a truly wonderful day.
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