When a Youth Club has been established as long as Carew's it sometimes becomes difficult to decide exactly what to do each week (writes Joanne Hicks). So it was at the last leaders' meeting that the idea of a walk by torchlight was suggested. Taking 40-50 children through fields in the pitch black - was this a good idea? - we thought we would give it a go!

So it was last Friday that the club met down by the church at Carew Cheriton; there were about 45 members altogether. It had been touch and go whether to set off or not because the rain was threatening, but a bit of rain never hurt anyone! So off we went. We had not gone very far when all torches were focused on something floating rapidly down the bubbling stream. It was bright cerise and long - it turned out to be Leah's scarf. Celia volunteered to rescue the scarf and waded through the water to retrieve it - crisis averted, we were off at last.

We made our way to the old carding mill. Everyone stumbled down into the ruins of the mill, where John told them the stories of the work that used to be done in the old building.

Moving on through Milton, the party arrived at the old bridge, from where we slid down the muddy bank and climbed over the stile into the paddock. "Are there any cows in here?" "Is there a bull in this field?" These were just some of the shouts from the children as they clambered over the stile.

So we set off in the pitch black across the fields making our way towards Carew Mill. We had not ventured very far when we realised that there obviously were cows kept in the field. Although there was none to be seen, the squishy evidence was there for all to step in!

After many more stiles and some more stories from John, we finally saw the mill pond in sight. The party walked along the mill lane, heading back to the Youth Centre.

Rather than risk walking along the main road, the group ambled along the path in front of the old castle. Now if you heard the sound of screams around 8.45 pm last Friday, that was probably the Youth Club. Some of them had glanced up at the castle ruins and in the faint light of the castle grounds swear they saw the ghost of Princess Nest up on the castle wall! If she was there, the level of decibels coming from the girls screaming would have driven her away!

We were back safe and sound at the Youth Club. A sea of green wellies was left outside the club doors. Everyone headed inside where Helen had kindly stayed behind and had a very welcoming mug of hot chocolate and biscuits ready for everyone... mmmm... lovely.

Everyone thoroughly enjoyed themselves and a few can say they saw what looked like a ghost. Well that bit we will never really know, will we? We will just have to do it all again!