News and Announcements

The weather does not look favourable today for a Slawstone picnic, so we will save that plan for a better day. Instead we'll be at the Climbing Station as usual for bouldering, plus I will be going for a run from the station at 7pm.

If you know anyone who was planning to go to Slawstone who may not see this email before they leave please let them know!

Also, on Thursday Brian Quinn is planning to climb in the Peak, if you fancy joining in get in touch with Brian (or let me know and I'll get you the details). I am also planning some local climbing, probably at Shepshed Quarry, again get in touch if you fancy coming along.

Kind regards,

Andy 

BCC Meets Secretary

07796 220055

Well that was a simply cracking weekend in North Wales! Staying at our lovely club hut and spending long days climbing in the Ogwen valley with warm sunshine, nice routes, and great company. A big thanks to Paul, Claudia, Mikey, Charles and Hariette for making it a fab weekend!

Hopefully you all had a good weekend too with lots of adventures of your own. Although preferably not involving any nominations for the coveted Bowline 'Wings' award... glad your OK Luke! Suicide Wall at Cratcliffe is now a little harder!

This week we have lots on offer starting with a Picnic at Slawstone Bridge on Tuesday evening, meet at the bridge at 7pm for bouldering, cycling and running, bring your picnic hamper! No doubt including a visit to the local pub afterwards. I'll be going from Leicester to Slawstone and back, leaving Westbury road at 6pm if you want a lift!

Wednesday evening is the BMC Midlands Area meeting and George Cave lecture. There are various club members attending and lifts have been offered, it would be great to have a good attendance by the club!

Thursday there will be outdoor climbing either locally or in the Peak district, I'll send out an update when I hear more. We will fall-back to The Tower if the weather is no good. 

Tuesday evening:

- Running/Cycling/Bouldering/Social - This week we will be basing ourselves at Slawstone bridge for bouldering, cycling and running. Meet at the bridge at 7pm and bring a picnic with you. Contact Andy Potter (07796 220055)

Thursday evening: 

- Climbing - Local climbing or possibly climbing in the Peak if the weather permits; or indoors at The Tower if the weather isn't good enough. To get updates on whether we will be outdoors or indoors contact Andy Railton (07894 533629).

Upcoming meets (see our website for full meets list):

- June 4th - BMC Midlands area meeting & George Cave lecture. See the BMC Midlands web page for full details. Contact Andy Potter (07796 220055).

- June 14th/15th - Peak Weekend meet, Climbing Cycling, Walking, etc - Contact Andy Railton (07984 533629)

- June 28th/29th - SUMMER MEAL at Caban, Brynrefail, book NOW - Contact Michelle Aukland (07812 108919)

- July 5th/6th - Peak Weekend meet, Climbing Cycling, Walking, etc - Contact Andy Railton (07984 533629)

- July 12th/13th - Saunders Mountain Marathon -  Contact Michelle Aukland (07812 108919)

- June 26th/27th - Club hut meet, Climbing, Cycling, Walking, MTB - Contact Bob Crosby (07934 475926)

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Other stuff: 

- Grand final of the Sherpa Circuit Board championship at the Climbing Station Sunday 8th June.

Andy Potter

BCC Meets Secretary

07796 220055

Apologies for the late email this week but I'm currently in the middle of moving house. It was a busy week just gone despite the weather. In fact no sooner had the week got under-way than Tony Hextall and Loz Kisson headed to Craig Buddon and Tony recorded another climbing milestone with his first E graded climb (Virago, E1 5b), well done Tony!

The bank holiday weekend weather was a little off putting and resulted in cancellation of our planned Pembroke meet. However various groups still headed out to other venue's in search of dry rock. Devon, North Wales and Dorset were all visited. I hear Devon was a bit of a wash out from a climbing perspective. However Brian, Simon, Claudia and I found good weather and dry rock down in Swanage and enjoyed a lovely couple of days climbing, with a nice chilled out BBQ inbetween!

Looking ahead the weather forecast is pretty good in North Wales this weekend. There is a group of us heading to the club hut for a weekend of climbing. Why not come and join us! I can help co-ordinate lifts if you let me know you'd like to come, also I am organising some group catering and you'd be welcome to join in!

Thursday evening: 

- Climbing - Local climbing at Markfield Quarry if the weather permits or indoors at The Tower if the weather isn't good enough. Meet at 6pm, to get updates on whether we will be outdoors or indoors contact Andy Railton (07894 533629).

Upcoming meets (see our website for full meets list):

- May 24th-26th - Pembroke meeting, Sea cliff climbing, Walking, Cycling - Contact Andy Potter (07796 220055).

- May 31st-June 1st - Club hut meet, Climbing, Cycling, Walking, MTB - Contact Bob Crosby (07934 475926)

- June 4th - BMC Midlands area meeting & George Cave lecture. See the BMC Midlands web page for full details. Contact Andy Potter (07796 220055).

- June 14th/15th - Peak Weekend meet, Climbing Cycling, Walking, etc - Contact Andy Railton (07984 533629)

- June 28th-29th - SUMMER MEAL at Caban, Brynrefail, book NOW - Contact Michelle Aukland (07812 108919)
 

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Other stuff: 

- If you are on Facebook don't forget to 'Like' the Bowline Club page.

Andy Potter

BCC Meets Secretary

07796 220055

I know that we were very much looking forward to sea cliff climbing in Pembrokeshire, but sadly the weather forecast is most unfavorable. However, the sunniest town in Britain (according to the Met Office anyway) aka Swanage, has come up trumps for Sunday and Monday at least. If you still fancy sea cliff climbing with the warm sun on your backs then come and join us on the Dorset coast.

The plan:
Saturday Evening - Meet at my place in Newbury (2 hours drive from Leicester) and stay overnight. Sunday Morning - Share lifts down to Swanage. Camping at Acton Field campsite (we'll pitch tents first then head off to climb). Sunday Evening - Head back to the campsite and fire up the BBQ! Monday Morning - Strike camp and head off for more climbing Monday Later Afternoon - Return to Newbury. If you want to stay Monday night that's fine, or head straight back home. 

If you are interested please get in touch!

Andy, 07796 220055

Calling all Bowliners and friends... yes that's you :)

The highlight of the social calendar this year is the Bowline Climbing Club summer meal. This means that on the weekend of Saturday 28th of June the place to be is in North Wales staying at the lovely Ty-Powdwr hut and dining out on the Saturday evening at 'Caban'. With climbing, walking, cycling to work up an appetite on the Saturday, and work off the calories on the Sunday!

The cost for 2 nights in the hut and dinner is just £30 per person so book your places now by contacting Michelle Aukland (07812 108919). See the attached flyer for the full details!

Hope you can make it, 

Andy

Meets Secretary

07796 220055

Hello again,

As mentioned in my last couple of updates we are going to have a series of "Peak Weekends" throughout the summer. The idea is to go to the Peak District on a Saturday whether it is to climb, cycle, walk or run and then meet up in a pub in the evening. With the option to stay up in up in the peak for more fun on the Sunday!

This coming weekend (10th-11th May) will be our first peak weekend. The plan for the Saturday evening is to meet in the Scotsman in Hathersage from 6:30pm onwards. Some people are planning to stay up for Sunday so North Lees camp-site would be a good place to stay (no parties allowed) so you'll need to book yourself in as individuals. Its easy to find on the web. 

I'll send out more details in the week about climbing, cycling, etc. Hope to see you all in the pub on Saturday evening.

Kind regards,

Andy Potter

Meets Secretary

07796 220055

What a fantastic weekend we had in the Lake district. Staying at the lovely High Wallowbarrow farm with a great crag only 10 minutes walk away, all we needed was good weather... and we were fairly lucky with only Sunday being to too damp for climbing (but that didn't stop us from running, walking and ghyll scrambling). Good times on and off the crag, can't wait for the next meet!

This week it's the Croft Hills race on Wednesday evening, I hope to see lots of you there, you can enter on the evening and then join us at the pub afterwards. 

Don't forget this weekend we have our first 'Peak Weekend', keep an eye on your emails for details of exact location and time in the next day or so. Or get in touch with myself or Andy Railton for the latest info!

Tuesday evening:

- Running - No 'official' running meet this week as we are running the Croft Hills race on Wednesday. However various groups are still going out this evening for some practice.

- Cycling - Meet at the 'Old Hare and Hounds' pub in Anstey at 6:30pm. Road cycling around the lovely local countryside with finishing back at the pub around 8pm. Contact Paul Barrett (07580 379067)

- Bouldering - Our regular bouldering meet at The Station in Loughborough from 6pm. Once you've tired your arms out come and relax at the pub with us (see below). Contact Andy Potter (07796 220055)

- Social meet - Whether you've been bouldering, cycling, running or just want to get out of the house. Come and meet us in the'Old Hare and Hounds' pub in Anstey from 8pm for a chance to catchup and make plans for adventure! Contact Andy Potter (07796 220055)

Wednesday evening: 

- Running - It's the Croft Hills race, 7pm from Croft village, see entry form for full details (you can enter on the evening, arrive in good time).

Thursday evening: 

- Climbing - Local climbing at Shepshed Quarry if the weather permits or indoors at The Tower if the weather isn't good enough. Meet at 6pm, to get updates on whether we will be outdoors or indoors contact Andy Railton (07894 533629).

Upcoming meets (see our website for full meets list):

- May 10th-11th - Peak Weekend meet, Climbing Cycling, Walking, etc - Contact Andy Potter (07796 220055).

- May 24th-26th - Pembroke meeting, Sea cliff climbing, Walking, Cycling - Contact Andy Potter (07796 220055).

- May 31st-June 1st - Club hut meet, Climbing, Cycling, Walking, MTB - Contact Bob Crosby (07934 475926)

- June 28th-29th - SUMMER MEAL at Caban, Brynefail, book NOW - Contact Michelle Aukland (07812 108919)

Other stuff:

- The BMC are holding a festival at Stanage to celebrate their 70th anniversary. Could be good fun if you aren't able to make the summer meal!

Andy Potter

Meets Secretary

07796 220055

Good morning all (well just about morning anyway),

Well the weather was a mixed bag at the weekend. I hope you all managed to dodge the rain and get out for adventures. We were certainly very lucky on our visit to The Peak district where the weather a Burbage North was so good we nearly got sun burnt... a very welcome surprise to be enjoying climbing in the sun rather than walking in the rain!

We are planning to have a series of 'Peak Weekends' through-out the summer, at least one a month if possible. These will be great opportunities to go climbing, cycling or walking together and then swap stories over a drink and maybe some food afterwards. Our first 'Peak Weekend' will be the weekend of the 10th/11th of May, with the plan being to climb/cycle/walk on the Saturday finishing at a suitable venue for a drink. There will be the opportunity to camp overnight and continue on the Sunday too!

Tuesday evening:

- Running - Meet at the main Bradgate Park car park in Newton Linford at 6:30pm. Around 8km of offroad running around the park and surrounding countryside. We'll be resting our legs at the pub (see below) afterwards. Contact Andy Potter (07796 220055)

- Cycling - Meet at the 'Old Hare and Hounds' pub in Anstey at 6:30pm. Road cycling around the lovely local countryside with finishing back at the pub around 8pm. Contact Paul Barrett (07580 379067)

- Bouldering - Our regular bouldering meet at The Station in Loughborough from 6pm. Once you've tired your arms out come and relax at the pub with us (see below). Contact Andy Potter (07796 220055)

- Social meet - Whether you've been bouldering, cycling, running or just want to get out of the house. Come and meet us in the'Old Hare and Hounds' pub in Anstey from 8pm for a chance to catchup and make plans for adventure! Contact Andy Potter (07796 220055)

Thursday evening: 

- Climbing - Local climbing at Shepshed Quarry if the weather permits or indoors at The Tower if the weather isn't good enough. Meet at 6pm, to get updates on whether we will be outdoors or indoors contact Andy Railton (07894 533629).

Upcoming meets (see our website for full meets list):

- May 3rd-5th - Lake District meet, Climbing, Cycling, Walking, MTB - Contact Andy Potter (07796 220055).

- May 10th-11th - Peak Weekend meet, Climbing Cycling, Walking, etc - Contact Andy Potter (07796 220055).
- May 24th-26th - Pembroke meeting, Sea cliff climbing, Walking, Cycling - Contact Andy Potter (07796 220055).

- May 31st-June 1st - Club hut meet, Climbing, Cycling, Walking, MTB - Contact Bob Crosby (07934 475926)

- June 28th-29th - SUMMER MEAL at Caban, Brynefail, book NOW - Contact Michelle Aukland (07812 108919)

Other stuff:

- Stage 1 of the Womens' Cycling Tour (Oundle to Northampton) passes about 3km from Maidwell on May 7th and then close to Welford on May 8th. If you fancy watching someone else do all the hardwork of pedalling instead then why not check it out womenstour.co.uk.  

- The next BMC Midlands area meeting & George Cave lecture will be on Wednesday 4th June in Solihull. See the BMC Midlands web page for full details.

Don't forget that next week we have the Bowline Climbing Clubs Croft Hills race. Starting (appropriately) in the village of Croft and covering a distance of 4.5 miles this is a great race to enter whether to compete or just for fun. I'll be running so you know you won't be in last place.

Check out the entry form for full details (entry on the night is possible too).

As of the club AGM we have new rates for using the club hut. The club website is being updated with the new rates, which are as follows (all figures are per night):

Club member - £5

Members guest - £7

Others - £10

Exclusive use - £120

OK so the weather isn't great tomorrow so a gang of us are going to go for a walk in the morning in The Peak whilst the weather is OK (ish). Followed by climbing indoors in either Sheffird or Nottingham afterwards.

Leaving Leicester at 9:30am. Exact walking location TBD but if you fancy joining us let me know (email / text) and I'll update you in the morning!

The weather forecast for the weekend is not looking very good at the moment. However for those of you keen to do some climbing I can offer a glimmer of hope. The plan is to keep a close eye on the weather for Sunday and do one of the following.

a) If the weather is favourable then climb all day at Stannage (preferable)

b) Go climbing indoors in Sheffield on Sunday morning and then climb outdoors in the afternoon if the weather has improved.

c) Go climbing indoors in Sheffield on Sunday morning and then go for a walk in the Peak in the afternoon if the weather is not good enough for climbing.

I'll send out an email update on Saturday evening when we know what the weather is likely to be doing. If you are interested in coming and want to know exactly where we'll be going and when then let me know your mobile number and I will text with an update on Sunday morning.

Fingers crossed, Andy, 07796 220055

Apologies for the late update this week but I've only just this evening got back from an amazing time bouldering in Fontainebleau. I'll try not to go on to much about the great bouldering, great company, great weather, great times... you get the idea! A big thanks to everyone that came for making it a fab meet, watch out for the trip report soon!

Hope you all had a super bank holiday weekend. I hear that good times were had in North Wales and no doubt Bowiners were out making the most of the long weekend. Whatever you were up too I hope it was great, and I'd very much like to hear about it, so would other club members. Why not send us a brief write-up of your adventurers.

Tuesday evening:

- Running - Meet at the main Bradgate Park car park in Newton Linford at 6:30pm. Around 8km of offroad running around the park and surrounding countryside. We'll be resting our legs at the pub (see below) afterwards. Contact Andy Potter (07796 220055)

- Cycling - Meet at the 'Old Hare and Hounds' pub in Anstey at 6:30pm. Road cycling around the lovely local countryside with finishing back at the pub around 8pm. Contact Paul Barrett (07580 379067)

- Bouldering - Our regular bouldering meet at The Station in Loughborough from 6pm. Once you've tired your arms out come and relax at the pub with us (see below). Contact Andy Potter (07796 220055)

- Social meet - Whether you've been bouldering, cycling, running or just want to get out of the house. Come and meet us in the'Old Hare and Hounds' pub in Anstey from 8pm for a chance to catchup and make plans for adventure! Contact Andy Potter (07796 220055)

Thursday evening: 

- Climbing - Local climbing at Shepshe Quarry if the weather permits or indoors at The Tower if the weather isn't good enough. Meet at 6pm, to get updates on whether we will be outdoors or indoors contact Andy Railton (07894 533629).

Upcoming meets (see our website for full meets list):

- May 3rd-5th - Lake District meet, Climbing, Cycling, Walking, MTB - Contact Andy Potter (07796 220055).
- May 24th-26th - Pembroke meeting, Sea cliff climbing, Walking, Cycling - Contact Andy Potter (07796 220055).

- May 31st-June 1st - Club hut meet, Climbing, Cycling, Walking, MTB - Contact Bob Crosby (07934 475926)

- June 28th-29th - SUMMER MEAL at Caban, Brynefail, book NOW - Contact Michelle Aukland (07812 108919)

Other stuff:

- Want to go climbing at 'Range West' in Pembrokeshire. Check out the info from the BMC and if you're coming to our Pembroke meet then you'll be in luck as one of the briefings is on the Saturday morning!

- The next BMC Midlands area meeting & George Cave lecture will be on Wednesday 4th June in Solihull. See the BMC Midlands web page for full details.