YEAR 8 ALTON CASTLE RETREAT 2011

On the 4th – 6th March, together with St. Bernadette’s of Bristol, we travelled to Alton Castle Catholic Youth Retreat Centre in Staffordshire. Mr McDonald led the retreat supported by Mrs Olewicz-Grubb and Mrs Eakin. Our group chose to get away from it all and find where God is in our lives. We have to say that it has to be one of the most fun, exciting, adventurous trips we’ve ever been on and we’ve got the muddy wellies to prove it! As part of the retreat we went mountain biking, trekking and survival! These activities consisted mainly of mud, losing shoes, falling over and not being able to get up in the morning.

When we arrived at the castle we were warmly greeted by the staff and later the fire alarm (for a drill of course). We settled in large dormitories with squeaky beds and floorboards…so there were no midnight walkabouts! The team at Alton there were the most magnificent, hilarious, heart-warming group of young people in the universe (except for our own teachers of course!) and they can cook one mean apple crumble!

So, where’s the retreat bit you’re wondering? Well, during each activity we had a break in the middle of it to reflect and meditate. We would make the time to listen to all the sounds around us whilst being told a story. By the end of it we all felt so calm and peaceful that we found it hard to stay awake! Even the ducks came over to be part of it. All the activities were great fun but never skin deep. They all had a deeper meaning to touch your heart and soul. We celebrated Mass on the Sunday to give thanks and we learnt some brilliant new songs…even Sing it in the Valleys...that great St. Peter’s anthem!

Finally, we would just like to thank Alton Castle very much for such a spiritual and heart-felt retreat. Also, we would like to thank Mr McDonald, Mrs Olewicz-Grubb and Mrs Eakin who shared the retreat with us. They were truly inspirational and it wouldn’t have been the same without them! Thank you very very much!

By Martha and Frankie Williams (Year 8)