Early on Friday morning the Clifton tour party gathered for a 5am departure. Destination - the Picardy region of Northern France - right in the middle of what was the bloodiest battle grounds of any war in modern times.

Arriving in Peronne in the late afternoon sunshine, the boys were immediately introduced to the tour's purpose with a visit to the excellent Musee de la Grande Guerre. With exhibits demonstrating the conflict's beginnings, soldiers, combat attrition and the effects on the local area, we were left with a new understanding of the Great War's impact.

That night at dinner, there was plenty of time to reflect on the huge losses suffered by the British Army and try to get the scale in perspective. On average, 9,000 troops died every day in The Somme - and that lasted for years.

Saturday was blessed with beautiful weather and the tour bus left Peronne early for Amiens where there was to be a rugby tournament. But first we stopped at Lochnagar Mine Crater and were left speechless. On 1st July 1916 at 7.30am, 24 tons of explosive created a hole 90m across and threw the earth a mile high. This explosion and dozens of others from similar tunnelled mines signaled the start of the British attack.

Shortly afterwards we stopped at Beaumont Hamel to visit trenches still left over from a century ago. It was a chllling experience to walk from Allied to German trenches across No Man's Land and realise just how close the combatants had been. It's worth noting that 20,000 British soldiers died that first day and to stand where they had been 100 years before was thought provoking at the very least.

Onwards to rugby! Hosted by Amiens club, the team, led by Coach Aftab Hamid, played a series of matches against Sevenoaks RFC, Horsham RFC, Amiens Rugby and a Belgian side, Cambria. The rugby was played in great spirits and in glorious sunshine. Clifton's U16s acquitted themselves very well in a festival of rugby. The hosting club were very generous and the boys made new friends.

That evening, we moved to Ligny Thilloy for a reception dinner and presentations. We were hosted by John Dennison who had organised the whole event and our guest speaker was Rod Lynch, the President of London Scottish RFC. We were joined by officials and players from Amiens Rugby, Sevenoaks RFC, Horsham RFC & local civic dignitaries.

There were plenty of awards and presentations and I was very happy to speak on behalf of the rugby clubs present. It was particularly humbling to reflect on Clifton RFC's losses in the Great War and to tell those present of the 62 dead from our Club in just this one conflict.

After a long day, the short trip back to Peronne was very welcome and the tour party celebrated an excellent day with new friends and a singing contest!

The final day, Sunday, was a more gentle start. The coach took us to the Thiepval Memorial - the names of 72,000 British war dead are inscribed on the huge monument. It is a truly inspiring sight - especially as we arrived with morning mist surrounding the park and monument. The boys were proud to see that two Clifton rugby players were listed on the massive memorial but saddened as it meant that the bodies were never found as the memorial is only for those fallen and not buried.

A rememberance service followed, led by the British Legion accompanied by a military parade. We were so proud when Ben & Campbell represented the U16s and Clifton Rugby by laying a poppy wreath at the very centre of Thiepval's main monument.

Again, I was very honoured to speak for the Club and immensely proud of talking about our Club's own heroes.

After a farewell lunch back in Ligny Thilloy the touring parties split and headed home.

A brilliantly organised tour by Fiona Stringfellow for a truly once in a lifetime event - thank you to all involved.

Aftaab Hamid
Sarah Hamid
Scott Mcgrath
Paula Hills
Mark Hills
Ian Clark
Steve White
Fiona Stringfellow
Wyn Tingley
Katy Tingley
Paul Gaynor
Richard Brenchley
Les Robinson
Gareth Morgan
Neil Emery
Baz Williams
Alec Millward
Ben Lang
Ben Morgan
Ben Somerville
Cameron Mcwhirter
Campbell Hills
Connor Wiltshire
Dylan Webb
Ethan Gaynor
George Morgan
Jack Parker-Sedgemore
Lewis Mason
Lochy Emery
Moni'ee Wilson
Morgan Williams

Wyn Tingley
Chairman