News and Announcements

 Dear All,

You should have now all received an invitation to the AGM on the 18th March. The AGM is your opportunity to influence how the Club is run and organised and also vote on important things like membership and hut fees. You can also let the committee know where they are going wrong if you so desire!  The committee is of course re-elected each year so you can influence who represents you on the committee.  If you can't make the AGM you have the opportunity to register a proxy to vote in your place OR directly vote for the motions that were sent out with the AGM agenda.  In addition you can propose people for positions on the committee. We would of course like to see you at the AGM. 

The motions that have been sent out relate to changes in the Byelaws of the Club that have been implemented during this last year by the committee, but are requried to be ratified at the AGM. 

We will also be discussing some proposed changes to the Rules of the Association (In effect the Club's constitution) and although we will NOT be voting on the proposed changes at the AGM. We would like your input as members before we draft up the proposed changes to the Rules of Association; we then intend to carry out a postal vote.

So I would like to add my voice to Andy Potter's and urge you to come to the AGM.  If you can't make it to the AGM please do register a Proxy Vote as set out on the Proxy form and let us have this (Zoe Pickering) at least 48 hours before the AGM.

Looking forward to seeing you at the AGM on the 18th March

Andy Railton

Hi Bowliners,

Apologies for the lack of update last week but I was busy sunning myself... ooops I meant climbing... in the South of France. Without rubbing it in too much we had a lovely time with lots of sunny days of climbing in the Ardeche Gorge, at Mount Saint Victoire, and also in the Calanques. There is so much great climbing to be had in France I think I shall be making many more return trips.

Whilst we were climbing in just shorts in the South of France I suspect Rob and Charlie were rocking a much greater number of layers for their weekend in Scotland. Our man in Scotland has sent us an interesting report on the activities north of the border, including news of another racing win for the unstoppable Zoe Procter. Check it out below (thanks Masa).

Don't forget we will be Bouldering as usual this evening (Tuesday) at the climbing station. And on Thursday it's climbing at The Tower. Hope you all have a great week!
 

 Hi Everybody,

Just a reminder to everyone that there is the talk at the Climbing Station this Friday at 8 PM;
Big Walls, Beards and Bagels.
There are quite a few Bowliners going, so why not join us.
Tickets available from the Climbing Station, Zoe Pickering or Robin Richmond.

Cheers

Andy Railton

Hi Everybody,

Great to see that Bowliners are making the most of the winter conditions. Simon Perry and Rob Goodman sampled the delights of Ice Climbing in Snowdonia earlier this week and I hear that Masa Sakano has had good weather (for ice climbing) up in Scotland. Personally I haven't been bitten by the winter climbing bug yet, so next week I'm off to the South of France for a week of warm sport climbing, can't wait!

What about you? Have you had any adventures yet this year? If not why not kick things off by coming along to our club hut meet in March or grab a place on our Mountain Biking (and climbing) meet at the end of March, places are going fast so be quick!

And to help you get inspired for adventure why not join us for a top lecture from Tom Randall and Pete Whittaker - Big walls, beards and bagels - At The Climbing Station on Feb 20th at 8pm. Get your tickets in advance from Andy Railton (07894 533629) or Zoe Pickering (07709 337976).

Don't forget Bouldering as usual this evening (Tuesday) at the climbing station. And on Thursday its climbing at The Tower.
 

Hi Everybody,

Well the first proper week back has absolutely flown by. Although the evening adventures were all in the warmth of a climbing wall or cozy club/pub; the weekend got us out and about. We enjoyed a fun whiz around the Mountain Biking trails at Cannock Chase on Saturday. But the main event was of course the Charnwood Hills Race. This was the first year I have been involved with the race and it was a great experience. Not being as fit as some of my brave bowline friends I marshalled on the course and cheered all those brave runners. Well done to Simon Perry for being the first placed Bowline man with a time of 1:48:35, and also to Zoe Proctor, first Bowline woman with a time of 1:48:50. And of course massive thank you to everyone who helped with the organising and running of the race. I hope to see lots of Bowliners running next year!

Since my last email we've made some refinements to this years meets list. Hopefully you have all received my email earlier about the Mountain Biking trip on 28th March (this is instead of 14th Feb). We've added a couple more club hut meets (one in July and one in September and potentially one in March). The date for the Dolomites meet has been changed slightly (22nd August to 6th Sept). The full meets list is now available on the website and I will be keeping this update going forward so you can always find the details here if you want to know what is going on.

This week we are Bouldering as usual this evening (Tuesday) at the climbing station. And on Thursday its climbing at The Tower. Hope to see you at one of these!
 

Howdy Bowliners,

Gosh it seems like ages since I was last writing to you all (not long enough I hear you say). I suppose it actually has been quite a while but that is what happens when you are lucky enough to spend 16 days in the USA. Yes that's right I've got my climbing year off to a cracking start with two weeks of climbing in the simply stunning Joshua Tree national park, including a little diversion to Red Rock Canyon for some multi-pitch climbing. Although I could very easily launch in many details of a totally awesome trip I will spare you all for now (keep an eye out for a writeup at some point), because I want to mention a view important things. Not least of which is what you've all been waiting for... yes it's the Bowline Climbing Clubs 2015 meets list.

But first just a little reminder that we have a very busy week with lots of things for you to get involved with. We are Bouldering as usual this evening (Tuesday) at the climbing station. Then it is the BMC Midlands Area meeting on Wednesday. We have a club committee meeting on Thursday. Then on Saturday you can join us for Mountain Biking at Cannock Chase and of course we have the Charnwood Hills Race on Sunday. Details of all these events are of course on our website and listed below in the 'Upcoming meets' section for your convenience.

Mentioning our website we will soon be changing the way we email you all. I will be giving you more details probably in next weeks email.

Right so without further ado if you look down this email (after the 'Upcoming meets' section) you will find a full list of meets for this year. I will be adding these to website with more details over the coming weeks. But get these in your calendar now, as I am looking forward to seeing as many of you as possible over the course of this year. And remember, fun and adventure comes as standard!

MERRY CHRISTMAS BOWLINERS!

HI Everyone,

The results for the Bowline Bouldering Competition, just the points one, held on the 16th December are attached.

Cheers

Andy Railton

Hi Everybody,

The Bowline Cover Photo 2015 competition is OPEN. Throughout 2014 we have had the talented Rob Goodman gracing our posters and website/facebook page (photo and editing by Luke Abbott). We are looking for a photo of a club member to be the cover/poster for 2015. Please send your entries to the Meet Secretary (meetsec@bowlineclimbingclub.co.uk).

Andy.

Hey Bowliners,

Well I always find the run up to Christmas flys-by, and this year has been no exception. After the club slideshow on Wednesday (great to see so many people in attendance) I realised we had only our Christmas Bouldering competion this coming Tuesday and then that's it for 2014 meets. But whilst it may have flown by I think it has been a fantastic 2014. I've certainly learnt an awful lot about being a Meet Secretary and I'm really excited to be planning the meet programme for 2015 which I will be announcing sometime before the end of the year!

As this is probably the last weekly update I will send out this year I just wanted to say thankyou to all of you that joined us for the trips and meets this year. It was fantastic to meet you all and I hope like me you are looking forward to more fun and adventures together next year. I'd also like to say a big thank you to our committee who work hard, often quietly, behind the scene's to keep the club running smoothly for all of us :)

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you all!