Dec. 7-8 Bullstones: B West
Dec 14-15 Coniston: T Howard
11 (W) NEW DATE Black Rocks: R Tresidder
Dec 21-26 TYW Christmas & New Year
Jan 1 (W) New Year Walk: C Russell
Bullstones 86-knocked down and out by a very cross Cross Fell - cars scouring Tyne Head roads picking up wind-fallen Oreads-Sunday on the smelling salts, punch-drunk. Now for the re-match. No fixed plan this time. Older and wiser, we shall hit Cross Fell whilst still fresh. Friday night, when the closing bell rings, we shall come out fighting. Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee!
Friday night rendezvous is the Shepherds Inn, Melmerby NY615373, on the A686 Penrith - Alston road. Saturday night I have booked Garrigill Village Hall NY745414 £7pppn. Any interested non-combatants are very welcome to stay the night.
I suggest that this year's Bullstones meet elect next year's leader democratically.Nominations, manifestos etc to Brian (probably on waterproof paper).Rob]
(NB: not 18th as in Meets List)
This year, the Wednesday before the Wednesday before Christmas could not be earlier. I know that is what I wrote last year, but this time I really have got it right so even more time to recover from this traditional occasion before the full horror of Christmas is upon us. The earliest members of this struggling band will probably arrive about 7. One year I didn't get there until ten which rather misses out the main part of the evening in the Rising Sun at Middleton. If we had a proper brownie points system there would be loads for arriving by bike (which several do) or on foot. I shall warn "mine host" that we are coming and some may wish to eat a hot meal.
I have booked the Church Hall in Coniston for the weekend. The cost will be £3.50 pppn. You will need to bring a Thermo-rest or Karrimat to sleep on. On Saturday night we will eat in the church hall. There will be a selection of hot food & desert(s) and a certain amount of beer & Gluwein provided. (Angela has already acquired a half-barrel of beer for us). The inclusive cost of this refreshments package will be £8 per person.ONLY 4 PLACES LEFT
We are told that there are plenty of plates & cutlery, but I doubt that there will be enough glasses for beer & wine, so I suggest you bring your own glasses. You might also like to bring additional drink in case we run out of what you like and to cover your needs on Friday night!
The Lake District is superb at this time of year and offers excellent walking and mountain biking, and might also provide good rock climbing or even snow & ice! The Church Hall is on the LHS of the road as you enter Coniston from Ambleside. GR 303 978 (I guess!) There is only limited parking space in front of the hall, so try to car-share as much as possible please. I plan to arrive early on Friday night, and will make my way to The Back Bull in Coniston. See you there!
A number of the traditional meets have recently failed to achieve anything like their former popularity recently. Possible reasons are date changes, non-attendance of meet leaders and selection of unsuitable venues for car parking etc. We shall avoid these pitfalls and reverse the trend. A number of old stalwarts may no longer be in the sprightly form of yesteryear, but we shall take good care of those who are able to turn out. (Digger was seen in good form at the George recently, hip problems notwithstanding)
We shall assemble at Hartington Station on the Tissington Trail, map ref. 150 610, off the B5054,East of Hartington itself. This is a pay and display car park. The walk will be via Heathcote, Biggin Dale, Beresford Dale and Narrow Dale to the traditional destination of the George at alstonfields is slightly shorter than the route adopted on some former occasions and should enable us to arrive in time to get served and join the celebrations. Conditions will be extremely scenic in the fine weather which has been arranged, but there may be a trifling amount of mud underfoot. (Freezing conditions are rare in the extreme now we all have central heating and gas guzzling vehicles).
Arrangements for the return will be adapted to circumstances, depending on how desperate is the condition of the participants. Please assemble at about 10.45 so that we can actually move off at 11 am, and arrive in time to get a drink.
will give an illustrated talk entitled "Himalayan Journey: from the Kanga Valley to the Valley of the Gods". This is Gordon's account of a trip in northern India he made in, I think, 1999. Will Roo be there at the start? Who are these gods? Hindu or maybe some famous Oreads? If you want a good seat you'd better be there early!
Es will give an illustrated talk on the subject of his recent trip to climb Kyzil Asker in the Tien Shan range on the borders of China, Kyrgysztan, Tadjikhstan and probably some other "-stans" whose names I cannot spell either.
This was an absolute classic dash day: rain for most of the preceding week produced gloriously muddy conditions. Sunday morning though was splendid. I had a beautiful cycle over from Wirksworth, through Bradbourne and Tissington so I was just nicely warmed up at the start. There were as always some impressive "excuses" marshalled at the start. Having said that, Simon and Richard's Edale skyline the day before didn't seem to have done them much harm! Our two new entries in the over 60 category swept all before them, Rusty collecting a handsome silver salver. And as ever our worthy band of supporters were in good voice. Thank you for your encouragement. Here are as many of the results as I could find. If yours isn't here,. please give it to me next year!
I'm not sure how long we can go on claiming some of the guys around, but these two former Oreads had a good day: Es Tresidder (10), Richard Freestone (409). Why don't you just pay your subs Richard?
If any of this lucky bunch of thirteen would like to see the fell race revived, please volunteer or beg me to organise it. Rob
In the banqueting room of the Green Man at Ashbourne seventy eight woodland nymphs sat down to a mega-meal (the choc pud was a killer) sorry folks - bad choice to end the meal, perhaps ice cream would have been better!
However, most of us got rid of all the extra calories through dancing (?) with instructions from Alan Squires and friends. [I notice the question mark, but I think about 6 hours of frantic jigging about, akin to a speeded-up Charlie Chaplin film would have been needed for this. Sorry Shirley! Ed.] It was surprising how many Oreads (including myself) forgot their right from their left.
Our guest speaker, raconteur and founder member George Sutton gave an hilarious talk on the antics of early Oreads and friends - and told us how we became 'Oreads'. I would like to thank George and June for coming along and joining us.
I would also like to thank the Committee for their help, especially Mike Hayes for the seating plan (Oreads are so choosey who they wish to sit near).
Well chaps and chapesses, I have organised six dinners. Perhaps it is time for someone else to have a go?
Aunty Wainwright
[Footnote. The Committee would like to thank Shirley for her considerable efforts in organising the Annual Dinners over the last few years, including of course the 50th Anniversary bash. Thanks Shirley, your efforts have been much appreciated. Rob Tresidder is currently searching for a location in Wales - following plans developed at our last two Committee meetings. Ed.]
Just to show that we are not all complete wooses (and to use my new £50 tent!) this meet will be based on The Red Squirrel campsite on the back road from the glen to the village of Glencoe. Easy walking distance from the Clachaig too - can't say fairer than that now. All the usual delights of Glencoe will be familiar to most Oreads but if you really want me to wind up your clockwork, give me a ring. One big advantage of camping (surely not the only one?!) is that if it is absolutely filthy we can all cry off at the last minute, stay home by the fire and be complete pussycats. More details next month, but ring me soon if you are looking for a lift or wish to spread your petrol costs.
This list is only correct at time of going to press. Members are advised to check availability with the hut booking secretary Colin Hobday before going to either hut. Note that hut booking dates refer to nights (e.g. Fri/Sat for a weekend), whereas meet dates refer to the days e.g. Sat/Sun).
Pete Scott & Judy are currently in Kathmandu having just been around the Annapurnas for 3 weeks. They are soon to set off to Langtang for another couple of weeks walking. They write: No problem in Nepal for tourists/travellers/ trekkers/backpackers at the moment... just a few armed steel helmeted soldiers in the towns and in the more remote areas armed maoists asking for donations. So far 'No Problem'. Pete & Judy.
At the November committee meeting, the following revised fees were approved:
Applications for full membership of the Club, have been received by the Committee from Angela Pingram, Roland Smith, Neil Weatherstone and Tracey Pritchard. Anyone who has any views on any of their applications should express these in writing to the Secretary, Derek Pike, before the next Committee Meeting on 10th December.
I neglected to inform you last month, that at the October Committee meeting, Simon Pape, John Dobson, Chiz Barker and Reuben Dakin were accepted as full members of the Club. Congratulations to each of you, and apologies for the omission last month.
A collection of writings from this year is included with this newsletter, as promised. Recipients of electronic copies have already received all but one of these.
I have now received submissions from Rock, Colin & Ushi, and Neil Weatherstone. This brings the total number of participants (or couples) to 9. There are many more of you who have been to interesting locations and could provide inspiring lists. I would like to hear from you next year! I know of members who have: (a) done lots in North America, (b) climbed on Mount Kenya, (c) climbed or trekked in the Himalayas, (d) climbed in South America! Come on out of the woodwork before I expose you!
The information I've received this year has been very impressive, for example: Jack & Janet's trip to Sikkim in 2001 (with Oreads who have not yet identified themselves), Paul & Jean's trip to Spitzbergen, and multiple visits to Asia, South America and Africa by Richard & Dawn, Pete & Judy and by Rock. The winner of this year's Edmund O'Polo award goes to Rock Hudson, for the sheer number of trips he has made to far flung places. I counted 11 to Asia, 2 to Africa, 2 to South America, and 1 to Antarctica. A small prize will be dispatched to Rock in the next few weeks.
Articles for the January 2003 edition should be sent to me at BOTH my email addresses please.
Please ensure that material for the next newsletter reaches me before Thurs 19th December. I would like to hear from Daryl & others leading the meets in January & February.