Tony Tinkham

SCOUT LEADER

I started scouting as a Cub at 7th Banbury, moved up to scouts then moved to Cyprus where I joined a military Scout Group. We had our own wood 50 yards from the sea and 200 yards from the sailing club I was also lucky enough to learn to Scuba dive qualifying as a diver at the age of 12.

Came back from Cyprus and joined Banbury Rambling Club walking around the Banbury area every weekend. When I left School I walked half of the Pennine Way with a couple of friends.

Following this I joined the Army. Whilst in the Army I took part in the Tour De Trigs three times failing to finish at the last attempt due to injury. Since leaving the Army I tried again and completed. All my finishes have been as a complete team. I have again taken up diving, Have been cub and scout leader at 1st Bloxham and now taken up post as SL at 1st Grimsbury. I still enjoy walking and am thinking about taking up canoing (at my age what a fool)

1. What was your first job?

Other than delivering the Banbury Cake on two rounds a week, I joined the Army as an apprentice Mechanic in the REME

2. What is your favourite Holiday destination?

Any where sunny and warm that I can SCUBA Dive.

3. What outdoor achievement are you most proud of ?

Completing the Tour De Trigs three times out of four. Times 18.50, 16.09, DNF, 21.31 and 22.37

4. Who was your favourite teacher and why?

Mrs Honey, She was my form tutor and English teacher at Wykham Hall, She was a hard task master but very fair and could even be compassionate if you were sick.

5. Who is your sporting idol?

 At the moment it is Lewis Hamilton from Formula 1. He is driving superbly. Good luck Lewis.

6. What gadget could you not live without?

 Either my OS Maps or my Compo Can opener

7. What is the maddest thing you've done in a car ?

Can't think of anything in a car however I did have fun in Germany on my driver training in a tracked Armoured Personnel Carrier. Travelling down the road we had a competition to see who could hit the most snow posts with the back of the tank. Can't remember who won couldn't have been me.....

8. When did you first fly in a plane and where did you go?

I first flew at minus 3 months from Brize Norton To Benghazi where I was born 3 months later I then flew back at the age of 9 months.

9. What is your favourite joke ?

Why do elephants paint their toenails red? So that they can hide upside down in cherry trees.

10. What is your favourite seaside resort ?

Fig Tree Bay in Cyprus before it was swamped by Ayia Napa

11. What is your favourite film and why?

All the Harry Potter series. The effect are brilliant especially the Quiddich