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NEWSLETTER FOR DECEMBER 2005

Forthcoming events


December 10 & 11 Bullstones Derek Pike
December W 14 Black Rocks Rob Tresidder
December 23 - Xmas & New Year at T-y-W Rock Hudson
January Su 1 Dovedale and The George Clive Russell
January Tu 3 Indoor meet Tim Cairns
January 7 & 8 Cairngorms James Tubby
January 21 & 22 Tan-yr-Wyddfa Derek Pike

December 10 & 11 Bullstones Derek Pike

A quick reminder of essential details for the weekend: on Friday evening we shall gather at the Postgate public house (NZ805054, on the north side of the railway bridge; car park a few yards south of the bridge is free) at Egton bridge for the usual consumption of alcohol and to prepare ourselves for the ordeal ahead. At throwing out time a shortish tramp will take us to a disused quarry where we may spend the night with a little shelter from any nasty winds that may be blowing off the North Sea. Saturday will see us tramping southwards through some pleasant countryside before turning west onto a part of the Lyke Wake Walk taking us through heather and bogs over to the Blue Man-i-th'-Moss and onto Shunner Howe and Blakey Ridge where resides the Lion Inn (SE679997) for the night. Sunday will see us returning to Egton Bridge by way of Great Fryup Head and Glaisdale Rigg. Like all great plans it will probably not survive contact with the Oread. Derek

December W 14 Black Rocks Rob Tresidder

This meet will be as ever: damp but not soaking, followed by pie, beer and craic at the Rising Sun in Middleton. Check out the BMC website for pictures of the transformation of High Rocks to see how we could restore Black Rocks to its former glory and rightful position as the pre-eminent venue for midlands climbers.

December 23 - Christmas & New Year at T-y-W Rock Hudson

There will be an informal meet at Tan-Yr-Wyddfa over the New Year period. Go when you want and stop as long as you like. There are still places available. Please book through me if you have not already informed Colin Hobday. I hope all those there will join in a communal buffet on the evening of Friday 31st. I've fixed up good weather, booked a professional fire lighter and a full time instructor on how to close the new fire doors. I would welcome any ideas for passing the evenings. Last year there was a great atmosphere, which I hope is repeated this year.

December 26

Richard Hopkinson asks me to remind Oreads of the casual Boxing Day gathering at the Miners at Brassington may encourage a few more out. Some watch the raft race in Matlock Bath first. Routes and means of transport vary. [Er.... does that mean some float there? - ed]

January Su 1 Dovedale and The George Clive Russell


Whatever may have happened to the old style walking meets this year, this one will not be cancelled [ouch! - meetssec], and the meet leader, barring serious catastrophe, will be present.
The Walk will again be to our traditional destination, and will this year start from Ilam Cross (meet on the road opposite the cross at map ref. SK 135 506, not at the Youth Hostel).
Since this is a semi-social event suitable for the aged and infirm, the starting time will be a decadent 11 a.m. Please therefore try to arrive a few minutes beforehand as it is not the time of year for standing about and we also want to reach Alstonefield in time for the social action.
The route will be over Bunster Hill and via Air Cottage and Stanhope Grange to Alstonefield where we shall see many old friends. This is a moderate walk, especially if the feeling of the meeting is to traverse the top of Hurt wood rather than following the Peak Park manufactured footpath to the bottom of Hall Dale, and so all will arrive in a comfortable condition with plenty of drinking time to spare. There will therefore be no excuse for non-attendance.
Forward planners who might prefer to leave transport at Dovedale car park and walk to Ilam for the start, rather than covering the same ground in an unsteady condition in the afternoon, should they opt to return from the pub via Milldale and the main Dovedale path, but please let us all try to start the walk at approximately the agreed time.

January Tu3 Indoor meet Tim Cairns

Tony Howard will welcome the New Year in with accounts of his two trips to Nepal. Come and listen to tales of thundering avalanches, bottomless crevasses and wrestles with yetis.

January 7 & 8 Cairngorms James Tubby


The first Scotish winter meet of the 2006 season will once again be held at the Cairngorm lodge youth hostel in Glenmore. The hostel is ideally situated less than 5 minutes drive from the ski centre car park and just 5 minutes walk from the Glenmore lodge bar. It is possible to have a lie in (till 6:30am) and still be at the car park as dawn breaks. The ski centre car park allows show walk-ins to the Coirries, invaluble for this time of year with short days. The area has something for everyone, Coire an t sneacta has quality routes of all grades (ideal for a first trip of the year), there are more remote routes round by Loch Avon and there are plenty of good winter walking possibilities & accessible Munros.
The hostel is self catering with a well stocked kitchen. For those not inclined to cook, Glenmore lodge bar does good meals.
We will book some places on Thursday 15th December, a £5 deposit will reserve a place (£13 per night non YH members). We'll be at the Rising Sun after the Black Rocks meet on the 14th. After this please book direct with the hostel on 0870 004 11 37 (or via the Scottish YH website) and mention that you are with the James Tubby party, contact one of us to arrange lift sharing if needed.

Past events


Oread placings in the Fiftieth Dovedale Dash.
Congratulations to Roland on his highest Oread placing. Also to Rusty who regained the over 60 trophy after missing out last time: a particularly strong effort as he won the over 60 event at the Derbyshire Cross Country championships the day before.

45 Roland Smith
81 John O'Reilly
86 Rusty (and first over 60)
150 Richard Hopkinson
162 James Tubby
183 Simon Pape
212 Robin Sedgwick
227 Chris Radcliffe
229 Gill Heys
370 Malcolm Leick
384 Rob Treisidder
461 John Salmon
604 Chris Wilson
649 Chiz Dakin
656 Ruth Gordon
666 Claire O'Reilly
785 Tony Fidler

Commiserations to Tony who was warming up out of earshot of the PA and missed the second re-scheduling of the start. Mentioned should also be made of the fifth place achieved by former Oread, Es Tresidder, who, incidentally climbed the Eiger the weekend before.

Advance notices


ADVANCE NOTICE: Easter Meet - South of France - April 8 - 23.
Location: St. Martin-de-Londres.
I will be leading a meet to the south of France and would like all to help me celebrate a "significant" birthday on Saturday, April 15.
The meet will be based at the campsite in St. Martin-de-Londres with many excellent crags within easy reach.
My teaching commitments dictate that Chris and I arrive Saturday, April 8 and depart Monday, April 17. As Good Friday is April 14, others may choose to arrive over the holiday weekend and depart Saturday April 22.
We are investigating flights to Montpelier and will advise details by email later.
It would be helpful to know who is interested so that I can make a block booking at the campsite. Gill Heys

Hut bookings


DECEMBER 2005
HEATHY LEA: NO BOOKINGS
TAN-YR- WYDDFA
DEC. 2/3rd COVENTRY M.C. 16 BEDS
DEC. 9/10th LEICESTER M.A. 16 BEDS.
DEC. 16/17th VIBRAM M.C. 16 BEDS.
CHRISTMAS/NEW YEAR 4 BEDS.
WILL THOSE MEMBERS WHO HAVE NOT PAID THEIR HUT FEES PLEASE DO SO NOW. THANKS COLIN HOBDAY

Subscriptions


Thanks to everyone who has paid their subs already. Can I remind the rest of you that your subs are now due and cheques should be sent to me.
Full Members £26
Family Membership £39
Senior Members £13
Senior Family Membership £19.50
Prospective Members £13
Thanks, Simon Pape

Congestion charging in the Peak Park


[Martin Wainwright, writing in yesterday's Guardian.]
Britain's first national park, the Peak District national park, set up in 1951, may become the first countryside area to impose a congestion charge.
The park authority and Derbyshire county council are being encouraged by Alistair Darling, the transport secretary, to submit a funding plan involving tolls in the park's 550 square miles of hills and dales, which are now attracting 22m day visits a year.
Traffic congestion has worsened in recent years following the production of several films, including this year's remake of Pride and Prejudice, set in the area.
[Eat your hearts out, petrolheads!]

Editor (and MeetsSec) throw(s) in towel(s)

I have decided that it is time for me to take a rest although I have enjoyed doing this job enormously and would recommend it to anyone. I shall resign at the AGM which means that the March edition will be my last. If you are interested (no commitment - yet!), have a word with me before I come round and break your arm in the spring. The committee does actually recognise two jobs here and the posts have had separate holders in the past. Rob