A vast Me Hearties!

(The following text should be read with a strong pirate accent!)

On March 18th the pirates of Chobham Rugby will once again set sail under the Jolly Roger to explore waters uncharted

in search of adventure, treasure and glory. Over the last few weeks our pressgang have recruited a mighty crew of over

300 pirates, arranged safe-harbour at a number of “friendly” ports and commandeered 6 mighty galleons in which to

bring home our bounty. The Captain and his Senior Ratings (Tour Committee) welcome all-comers joining the voyage—

whether experienced sea-dogs or first time cabin-boys.

In this message you’ll find useful initial information about our voyage— where we are going, what to expect on our voy-

age, what you need to bring and most importantly the standards the Captain expects of his crew.

The Captain will issue more instructions as we get closer to our voyage…..

Captain’s Orders

The Captain holds the safety and enjoyment of our Junior Sea-Dogs with the utmost importance. As we get closer to the

start of our voyage it’s time to let you know a few rules of the sea to ensure our Junior Sea-Dogs have a safe and enjoyable

time. The four most important points we want to emphasise are: -

It’s the Minis’ Tour and it’s all about them;

Adults are responsible at all times for the safety and welfare of their children;

We are all part of the Mighty Chobham and on tour we are ambassadors for our Club and must not do anything

to harm its good reputation;

We must uphold the key values of our sport - Teamwork, Respect, Enjoyment, Discipline and Sportsmanship

Chobham Minis have toured for many years now and not too much has ever gone wrong. What’s more we don’t want to

lecture intelligent and responsible parents and carers many of whom have been on Minis’ tours before but…..

Message in a Bottle

Captain’s Orders (continued)

An Ale or Two

After an ale or two with good friends and fellow pirates, enjoying an international at a welcoming club on tour, it’s easy

to forget that you still have a child or children on tour you have to care for and look after. We will do our best to provide

good rugby and other activities to keep them busy but at times (and when you least expect or want it) they will need you.

It follows that we expect all carers and parents to be able to respond and provide whatever help or assistance the child or

children they are responsible for need, whenever its needed.

Adult behaviour on tour has nearly always been impeccable but sometimes it can fall short of the standard our Minis

and the Club expects. A free bar will operate at limited times over the weekend at the clubs we visit and at the caravan

site. However, excessive drinking will mean you can’t care for the children who rely on you.

The Tour Committee in conjunction with the Minis Chairman has the right to send anyone home, along with the

children in their care, if they think someone has overstepped the mark.

The Court

In keeping with touring tradition, a number of “Courts” will be held over the weekend at which His Honour will dispense

some summary justice. It really is all very innocent and harmless and no child is going to be exposed to anything that

might up-set them. Specific guidelines have been provided to the Judiciary and they will observe them to ensure the

Courts add to everyone’s enjoyment of the Tour. Participation in a Court session is entirely voluntary for a child or adult.

If it’s not for you, please feel free to find something a bit more entertaining to do.

Captain’s Orders (continued)

Night Patrols

We will operate a system of night patrols. If you are on night patrol you must not be late for the start of your patrol and

you must be able to conduct your patrol sensibly. Other parents and carers cannot rely on the night patrol to care for the

children in their care. Over the next couple of weeks the TLOs will assign parents to the patrol and full details will be

provided, along with a briefing.

The RFU approved guidance the Tour has adopted is clear:

“Each child is the responsibility of their parents or appointed guardian during the evenings and throughout the

tour weekend. At no point does this responsibility fall upon on parents patrolling the campsite during the evenings.

Parents on patrol are not expected to (and should not) enter caravans to check on children (they have not had the

necessary safeguarding checks to do this). Patrolling parents are there to act as a responsible adult, or to respond to

an emergency, in the event that this is needed. In the event of an emergency, or any situation in which a child is in

need of assistance, parents on patrol must always enter a caravan in pairs."

First Aid

During matches and training we will have our usual, excellent first-aiders available pitch-side. Just because we’re on tour

please don’t forget that we ask parents and carers to remain pitch-side during training and matches.

Pitch-Side

The very high standard of pitch-side behaviour associated with our Club must be maintained on tour. Parents and car-

ers are there to encourage and support but don’t forget: Teamwork, Respect, Enjoyment, Discipline and Sportsmanship.

A Voyage of Discovery

The Captain will issue more details on our voyage over the coming weeks—but here is a taster…..

Friday 18th March

Sea-dogs (both Senior and Junior) will assemble at approximately 13:00 hours This will require Junior Sea-Dogs

be excused from school for the afternoon to enable us to commence our voyage before waters become too rough.

Full kit will be issued to all hands by the quarter-master. The “all-weather” tour shirt and pirates mandatory

headgear MUST be worn at all times. Senior Sea-dogs who have not travelled the high-seas before (a.k.a. our

“Tour Virgins”) will also get their own badge of rank that must be worn at all times (and available for inspection

by Senior Ratings / Judiciary)

When the ships-bell sounds—pirates will be directed to their galleon by their Petty Officer who will ensure all

sea-dogs board the galleons and we do not have any men (or women!) overboard.

On the way to our main anchorage, we will likely come under heavy fire around the Fordingbridge area. We have

met buccaneers from these waters before in previous battles—however this time it is rumoured they are enlisting

re-enforcements from the surrounding area. Our young pirates should be ready for battle in full Chobham

colours!

Once the sun is over the yardarm, we’ll splice the main-brace and get some local grub washed down with a tot of

rum before we re-board the galleons and head towards our main anchorage at Sandford Holiday Park

Sandford Holiday Park Holton Heath Poole Dorset BH16 6JZ

Click Here to visit Sandford Holiday Park Website

Rations will have been delivered to your caravans prior to arrival on Friday night —enough for breakfast on

both days (and the occasional mid-night snack!). The Captain doesn't supply everything— he has given you

some recommended items to pack later in this message.

A Voyage of Discovery

Saturday 19th March (morning)

We will wake on Saturday and appointed galley slaves will cook breakfast

We will then depart to a local rugby club for a mornings fun

Junior Sea Dogs should be dressed ready for battle in Chobham colours

Lunch will be provided at our host club and then we will return to Sandford Holiday Park

The afternoon will be free time for pirates to use the campsites facilities and / or watch the 6-Nations fixtures

which will be made available by the campsite (more details to follow)

Saturday 19th March (evening)

Tourists will gather (preferably in fancy dress!) and an evening meal will be provided at Sandford Holiday park

prior to watching England v France 6 Nations game

Junior Sea-Dogs will be required to be in their bunks by 22:00

His Worship The Judge will then dispense justice to Senior Sea-Dogs who have transgressed the Pirate Code

Sunday 20th March (morning)

We will wake on Saturday and appointed galley slaves will cook breakfast

Junior Sea Dogs should be dressed ready for battle in Tour Shirts

We will then depart to face he mighty buccaneers of Bournemouth RFC (and there is a rumour around port that

our pirate brethren from Farnham RFC may also make an appearance)

Lunch will be provided at our host club and then we will return to Chobham by around 4pm

Fancy Dress

On Saturday evening, all tourists (senior and junior) are strongly encouraged to turn out in pirate themed fancy

dress. This is a traditional element of Minis Tour and whilst we don’t encourage elaborate or expensive

costumes—the tour committee would love as many tourists and possible to participate. It is all part of the fun of

tour !

Senior tourists are strongly encouraged to again don their best pirate regalia for our Sunday fixture (Junior

ranks will obviously be in playing kit on Sunday!).

What do I need to bring

Food

Breakfast and essentials will be provided in the caravans by the time we arrive at the campsite on Friday eve. This

will consist of the makings for hot and cold breakfasts on Saturday and Sunday. A full list of what will be

provided will be distributed in a later message.

Lunch / dinner will be provided at our host clubs on Friday night / Saturday & Sunday

Dinner on Saturday night will be provided back at Sandford Holiday Park and will be a buffet style meal for

both kids and adults

Drinks

An open bar will be provided at certain times at each host club and at Sandford Holiday Park

We want everyone to enjoy this in a sensible and responsible manner

Out tour funds are not exhaustive so please do be thoughtful when ordering drinks for both adults and children

We will be instructing the bar staff to allow only adult tourists to order from the bar—this is to prevent wastage

and ensure our young pirates only have what their parents are happy with.

Suggested Packing List

2 Playing kits (Tour shirt used on Sunday)

Warm clothes and plenty of layers

Towel (include tea towel)

There is heating in the caravans but suggest a sleeping bag is packed!

Toiletries shampoo, soap, make up remover, etc.

Torch, Matches, Dustbin bag (for dirty kit etc.)

Swimming kit if you want to use the pool

Any medication such as inhalers, epi-pens etc.

Tea or coffee…there is none in caravan

Sunscreen….one year it may be used!

Fancy Dress!

Pirate Law

Above all please remember that the purpose Minis Tour is for the children to play rugby and spend a weekend

building friendships that will last for many years.

Whilst on Tour (from the moment you put on your Tour Shirt on Friday) you are under Pirate Law and the

following rules must be adhered to at all times :

Tour shirts must be worn at all times (unless you are playing a match or in fancy dress)

Be on time for all duties - precision timing is key to a successful voyage

You will hear the Ships Bell advising you to board the transports. If you hear the second bell and are not

safely aboard the Sneaks will take an unhealthy interest in you..

A “Shiver me timbers” statement must be made before the first sip of each drink

Tour Virgin Dads are required to wear their badge of honour on display at all times

All Tour Virgins (Senior and Junior) must wear odd socks at ALL times

“Dead Ants” may be called at any time by the Senior Ratings or Judiciary

Right handed drinking from 12 to 6, Left handed drinking from 6 to 12

With the exception of the Senior Ratings (Tour Committee) (and those on Night Patrol)—all members

of the voyage are banned from radio contact (pirates never had mobile phones —duh!) - instead make

conversation with your Junior Sea-Dog or your fellow pirates!

In order to keep law and order we are accompanied on tour by our very own judge, along with councils for both

prosecution and defence (pointless!). It is by his decree that the Chief Sneak and other holders of high office will ensure

strictest adherence to the rules. His lordship is a lenient man and will treat all arguments for the defence with the

consideration they deserve (very little!) and defendants should not be concerned that his motto is “guilty until proven

guilty”. Usually the legal process takes months however on tour it is so fast it will make your head spin!

Please do be aware that the above are just some of the rules—however as space is limited we have not been able to

publish them—however they are known to the Judge and Sneaks. Remember ignorance is not a defence.

Sandford Holiday Park Map