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Jim Wyllie - Eskdale, The Lake District, 1959
I left boarding school in winter 1959 and my father gave me the choice of the Outward Bound mountain or sea school. As I had some knowledge of the Lake District I opted for Eskdale. When I left school I was small for my age and, although I didn't know it at the time, I was dyslexic and therefore an under achiever at school; I left with just one 'O' level.
There is no doubt in my mind that the greatest positive influence on my life was, and still is, the month I spent in Nansen patrol at Eskdale Outward Bound Mountain School (OBMS). For the first time in my life I found I had leadership qualities and had something positive to offer my colleagues. I also found that boys from a far less privileged background than mine had a great deal to teach me!
I left OBMS fit and strong and proud of myself. I am now 67 and have achieved more than I ever dreamed possible. I have run a number of companies, been a magistrate for some 25 years including chairing the Youth Bench and been an appraiser. On retirement I took a BA Hons degree.
One 'O' level and one degree!! I can't thank the OBMS enough. That is why I sent my son, he is also dyslexic, but a confident young man with a good degree and doing really well in his life.
Jim Wyllie
Creator of Cedric the Seahorse
www.cedrictheseahorse.co.uk
There is no doubt in my mind that the greatest positive influence on my life was, and still is, the month I spent in Nansen patrol at Eskdale Outward Bound Mountain School (OBMS). For the first time in my life I found I had leadership qualities and had something positive to offer my colleagues. I also found that boys from a far less privileged background than mine had a great deal to teach me!
I left OBMS fit and strong and proud of myself. I am now 67 and have achieved more than I ever dreamed possible. I have run a number of companies, been a magistrate for some 25 years including chairing the Youth Bench and been an appraiser. On retirement I took a BA Hons degree.
One 'O' level and one degree!! I can't thank the OBMS enough. That is why I sent my son, he is also dyslexic, but a confident young man with a good degree and doing really well in his life.
Jim Wyllie
Creator of Cedric the Seahorse
www.cedrictheseahorse.co.uk