A group of girls went off the beaten track this weekend to achieve their Bronze Duke of Edinburgh award.
The group started at Stocksfield railway station and walked 8km, navigating using only a map and compass to find their way to Broomley grange where they camped for the night. The following morning they walked a further 17.8km to Corbridge, again using only a map and compass.
The girls, also known as the 'wise girls', were the fifth Duke of Edinburgh group to have completed the award this year and the first group who brought hot water bottles with them - good thinking!
Mr Kell said "They were a marvellous group, full of humour, excellent navigators and the level of team work was astonishing - well done!"
The official Duke of Edinburgh assessor's report said: "The whole group worked well together and navigated successfully in an area with an intricate network of footpaths, which were in places hard to find on the ground. All of the girls were strong and capable, I particularly admired the teamwork of the group as they were always smiling and supporting each other. Well done for completing a challenging expedition and best of luck with any remaining parts of your Bronze Award. I would strongly recommend that if possible you progress to Silver Level."