I expect that by the date of my meet it will be warmer and what little snow we have had will be gone. So those Oread gnomes who have been lurking in the shrubbery all winter can venture out again. With global warming, Wales will be hot and sunny! So pack your shorts and sun cream and join us in our Cambrian Hideaway for a balmy weekend.
Clearly the general maintenance of the Huts benefits greatly from the efforts of all and we welcome any help that we can get. So please continue to contribute to working parties and the general upkeep of the property.
However, in the current litigious climate the possibility of accidents and subsequent claims for damages is very real and so, in order to cover both yourselves and the Club you should consider the following before embarking on DIY alterations at either Hut.
Have you gained the permission of the Hut Warden? Can you complete the job in safety? Both from your own point of view and that of others involved or who may be affected.
If the answer to either of the above is no, then PLEASE DON'T DO IT, unless there is an emergency - in which case do what is necessary, always bearing in mind the issue of safety. Then contact the Warden as soon as practicably possible and give as much information as possible.
The Club has undertaken a serious and expensive amount of work to ensure the safety of its members and guests. This work has been carried out professionally and has been certified by the appropriate authorities. Any random alterations may render the certification of completed work null and void, thus exposing individuals and the Club to litigation. Once again PLEASE DON'T DO IT.
"From the Huts Sub-Committee." Chuck Hooley, Huts Custodian.
For those who have been before, South Pembroke needs little introduction. From the easier Saddle Head and Crystal Slabs, through the mid-grades at Crickmail Point and St Govans to the steep cliffs at Huntsman's Leap and Mewsford Point, there are adventuresome limestone sea cliffs for everyone.
I intend to camp at St Petrox. The campsite has limited facilities but is a pleasant place to be nonetheless. It also seems to be less crowded than the site at Bosherston. The entrance is on the right just after a sharp right hand bend - very easy to miss after a long drive down from Derbyshire.
I shall doubtless be dragged into the pub in Bosherton for a post-climbing pint, but if you want to eat there you'll probably need to book. Anyone who wants to come along will be most welcome - either turn up in St Petrox or give me a call before hand if you want to share transport.
Simon Pape
A foul evening for our first outdoor evening meet of the year saw no less than eleven Oreads brave the elements and make the trip out to Rainster Rocks last Wednesday. Some climbing was done though not by Benjy and Toby. RT
As many of you know I have a recurrence of ovarian cancer for which I am presently having chemotherapy. I am part of the group of seven who are "Challenging cancer through adventure" This project is explained in the letter below that has been written by one of our group. If you would like to donate to this please get the money to Richard or me by any means you can!! Thank you, Dawn
Challenge Cancer through Adventure was established by a group of 7 outdoor adventure enthusiasts who live and work in and around the Peak district. All 7 of us are active people, physically fit, most of us working as outdoor activity instructors. All 7 of us have had cancer. Some have been given the 'all clear', some still have regular checks and some still undergo treatment. We remain active in the outdoors.
Recently two of our group were told their cancer was terminal. We reacted differently and did different things, but common to us both we chose to spend time enjoying adventurous activities with the people we love. Our choices differed but have included travelling, sea canoeing, skiing and climbing. We all realised that many people in the same position are not able to fit in 'that last great trip' or try something they have always wanted to do, this maybe because they cannot afford the expense, they do not have the time, they may not know how to access the right people to support them or maybe they thought it was just not possible.
There are many worthwhile cancer charities, but we feel that 'quality is more important than quantity' we want to make a difference to the quality of life for people with cancer. So together with our friends and families we formed Challenge Cancer through Adventure. Our intention is to raise awareness in others that having cancer doesn't mean having to stop being active and to raise £50,000 to start a fund to enable others to have the opportunity to fulfil that lifetime experience.
Sadly one member of our group recently died from his cancer, highlighting the possible rapid progression of this illness and the need to do things whilst you can.
To launch this we are completing a journey from the 'Deepest' (the bottom of Giant's Hole, a cave in The Peak District) to the 'Highest' (the summit of Scafell Pike in the Lake District). This three day journey will involve caving, cycling, canoeing, walking, running and climbing, sports we are all passionate about. We are writing to as many people as we can to ask for a small donation towards this appeal.
If you ask all your friends to donate as little as £1.00 you could help us meet our target! Enclosed is a sponsor form, Please support us. Thank you, Don MabbsChallenge Cancer Through Adventure is administered by Dukes Barn, registered charity no 1081656. Dukes Barn, School Lane, Beeley, Derbyshire, DE4 2NU.
t: 01433 631 636 e: HYPERLINK "mailto:info@challengecancer.org.uk" info@challengecancer.org.uk w: HYPERLINK "http://www.challengecancer.org.uk" www.challengecancer.org.uk
I recently represented the Oread at the Mountain Heritage forum held in the BMC offices in Manchester. Contrary to the implication of the name it is not about preserving mountains but about saving historical mountaineering artefacts and archives. The forum was convened in an attempt to obtain feedback for the members of the Mountain Heritage Trust. The trust has grown out of the Everest exhibition at the National Exhibition at Rheged. The trust has a project officer, Maxine Willett who spoke about her work. We also heard a presentation about the Mallory clothing project which is attempting to recreate the clothing he was wearing when he died. Our local John Smedley at Lea Mills is assisting with the underwear. I have Nick Colton's notes from the meeting so if anyone wants to know more please get in touch. And... if you have Joe Brown's piton from the niche on Cenotaph Corner don't throw it away!! Rob Tresidder
Those who receive their newsletter electronically will find the new address list attached. If you receive your newsletter in the post and would like to have a copy of the new list, please let me know and I will send out with next month's newsletter. Thanks. Ed
Answer to last month's puzzle:
£31.63 requested; £63.31 supplied; £63.26 is twice £31.63. The single equation with two unknowns would normally be insoluble, but the amounts are both whole numbers so there are only 100 trial values for pence and only one corresponds to a whole number of pounds.
"Snogger" generously donated an old computer for club use. Out of native perversity however he would not disclose the three digit access code, but he stated that the product of the three digits was 36, they were in descending order and the sum of the digits was equal to the number of his nephew's house. His mate "Peter", a member of the Sheen and Elkstone mathematical society, reminded him that a further bit of information would be needed to solve the problem, and he then advised that the lowest digit was the fifth digit of the chassis number of his car.
What was the access code? (Copyright "Lento")
[I should have mentioned last month that the author of these brainteasers is of course Rusty. He is offering a prize: a choice from a jumble sale type selection of second hand books, to be collected at a mutually convenient time. Solutions to me. A fair allowance will be made for snail mailers! Ed.]