News and Announcements

Hi folks,

To introduce myself, I was elected into the role of BMC area clubs rep during the November AGM. 
My main role will involve promoting clubs communication, liaising with clubs and reporting any issues back to the BMC clubs committee. It would be great to hear your ideas about how the Midlands Area clubs can develop links and perhaps work towards some joint clubs ventures. 

It's already brilliant to see clubs like West Bromwich Mountaineering Club opening their doors to members of other clubs on their well attended monthly coach meets around the country. Perhaps your club has a meet they would consider opening to others?

So please feel free to contact me if you've any ideas or suggestions either by email or come and chat to me at club meetings. 

SO the NEW YEAR begins with Mick Fowler who's kindly agreed to speak to us at our meeting at the Old Edwardians Sports Club in Solihull on Wednesday 28th January....

Former Alpine Club president and recently appointed BMC Patron, Mick will be joining us fresh from his venture to summit an unclimbed north face in the Indian Himalayas. A formidable climber and mountaineer with nearly 4 decades of experience, it promises to be a memorable and fascinating talk.

Look forward to seeing lots of you there. The usual nibbles will be provided along with a bar at hand and an opportunity to meet and mingle with an amiable bunch of like minded folk. What more could you want?

Enjoy the festive period!

Best wishes,

Michelle Aukland
BMC Midlands Area Clubs Rep
michelleaukland@hotmail.com

Hey Bowliners,

What an awesome weekend in Snowdonia! Two days of multi-pitch climbing on lovely welsh rock at this time of year was great early christmas present. On Saturday we had a light breeze and warm sunshine so the East Face of Tryfan was the place to be, for us and the many students from Swansea Uni MC. Followed by wine and plenty of tasty food back at the club hut. Sunday admittedly was a bit colder, but we wrapped up and went for a big alphinesque day out on Amphitheatre Buttress that was totally worthwhile. Despite being held up for ages by a slow team ahead of us. All told a brilliant weekend!

We have our regular bouldering and climbing sessions on Tuesday/Thursday this week. And of course next Wednesday is the club slideshow and I need lots of you to come and share your photo's and stories please (just think you'll be saving your fellow club members from having to listen to me talk all evening).

NB: Thank you everyone for the great idea's for next years meets. Keep your suggestions coming as I will be putting together a proposed diary in the next week.

Hey Bowliners,

I was looking at the list of upcoming meets, and although we've still got some great things happening before Christmas, the list of meets is getting shorter as we approach the end of the year. This made me reflect upon the years events and boy have we been a busy bunch!

However, even though the year is not yet finished, we want to start organising for next year and my mission is to make 2015 the best year ever for the best climbing club ever!

My aim is to arrange a great programme of meets that appeal to as many club members as possible. Keeping the cost levels low but the fun and adventure levels high. To help me what I need from you all is ideas for meets you'd like to see planned for 2015. These could be well known favourites like Bouldering in Fountainebleau, Climbing in Cornwall or hitting some trails on the Mountain Bikes. Or they could be places or things we haven't done before, or not done in recent years. To give you an idea here are some suggestions we've already received:

• A week in the Dolomites for climbing, mountaineering, via-ferratta, cycling.
• Hot rock trip to the Verdon Gorge.
• Long distance Mountain Biking trail meet.
• Bouldering in Fountainebleau.
• Bank holiday weekend sea cliff climbing and walking Pembrokeshire.
• Summer trip to Tignes (France) for climbing and downhill mountain biking.
• Lots of Peak day trips next summer.

P.S. We have our regular bouldering and climbing sessions on Tuesday/Thursday.

Hi Bowliners,

The annual club slideshow is coming up on Wednesday 10th December, 7:30pm at the Blackhorse Pub in Aylestone. Last year we had a great turn out and lots of interesting and humourous photo's and stories. This year should be every bit as good so I'm hoping as many of you as possible can join us. We will be upstairs at the pub with plenty of space to use, partners/friends are welcome!

I'm afraid you will have to put up with me talking and showing you some of this years adventures. So to make sure you don't get stuck with me for the whole evening why not bring some of your photo's and share your adventures with us. You don't need to talk for long, remember a picture tells a thousand words! We will have a computer/projector available to use. Don't be shy :)

Please let me know if you will be bringing some photo's and tales to share!

Hopefully see you there,

Andy

07796 220055

Hey Bowliners,

If you weren't at the Annual Dinner then I'm afraid you missed out on a great evening at the lovely Brooksby Hall. But don't worry we are already planning the date for the Summer Meal so you can hopefully all join us then for another evening of merry making!

We have had a pretty hectic week not only with the annual dinner but also due to the incredible response to the entries for the 29th Charnwood Hills Race. We opened the online entry on Tuesday late evening and all the places were gone within 24 hours. Whilst we are thrilled the race is so popular, we were rather caught out because the postal flyers announcing the event didn't reach their recipients until after the race was full. This unfortunately means we have quite a few disappointed people and we are very sorry to those who didn't get to find out about entries opening until too late. Next year we will be doing things differently to try and give everyone a fair chance of entering. 

We still have a couple of places left on the Prusik knots and tricky situations course this coming Sunday, let me know ASAP if you'd like to come. 

The BMC Midlands Area AGM and talk is this Wednesday 7:30pm in Solihull. As a BMC affiliated club it will be great to have good attendance from our members at the AGM.

And of course we have our regular bouldering and climbing sessions on Tuesday/Thursday. 

Hope you all have a fab week!

Hi Everybody, 

The chairman's walk is on the 7th December. So if you would like to come can you let Andy Railton (07894 533629) know as soon as possible since we need to let the pub know by next weekend what the food orders are. By the way we are in the restaurant so we can't take dogs in there. We will send out the pick up points for the coach in the next few days so if you're on the coach we need to know where you will want to be picked up, again please let Andy Railton (07894 533629) know.

Thanks,

Andy

 

Hey Bowliners,

Hope you were all having a great time here in good old blighty whilst I was busy sunning myself and enjoying awesome climbing adventures in the south of France. The first of several 'hot rock' trips I've got planned to keep me going until the spring.

Although the weather here may be finally cooling down it doesn't mean the fun has to stop as we proved on the weekend before last with our well attended Mountain Biking meet in the forest of dean. We had a fantastic time and I think a return visit will definitely be in order. Thanks to everyone who came for making it a great trip, and a special thanks to Claudia for organising all the catering!

It's only been two weeks since my last email but it seems there is so much to share so I'll keep it brief but please get in touch if you want to know more:

• Charnwood Hills Race 2015 - Sunday 1st February, entries are now open online. Remember we need lots of volunteers to help run the race too.
• We have the club slideshow coming up in a months time. Time to gather up your photo's and storis and come along to share them with your fellow club members. Don't be shy it is a friendly atmosphere and you don't need to talk for long.
• Prusik knots and tricky situations - Thanks to funding from the BMC we are offering this course to club members. Places are limited, see the website for more details.
• Next Wednesday (19th Nov) is the BMC Midlands AGM and talk by Matt Stygall. As a BMC affiliated club it would great to have a strong Bowline representation at the AGM of our local BMC area. I'll be going along and I hope you can join me!
• Climbing this Thursday at The Tower, Beaumont Leys.
• Club member Rob Pullen has a couple of items for sale as follows. If you are interested contact Rob (rob@leicesterrunningshop.co.uk):

1) Salomon Quest 4D GTX boots, size UK 9 Euro 43 in olive green.  Pretty much perfect condition, used once £85

2) Mountain Equipment Pro Shell Gore Text jacket, size large in green and dark green. Excellent condition, little use £125

Hey All,

Also this Saturday, something that should be of interest to climbers/walkers who enjoy the Stanage/North Lee's area of the Peak. The Stanage Forum AGM is being held on Saturday at 2.00pm at the Memorial Hall, Oddfellows Rd, Hathersage - Admission open and free.

Andy

Hey Everybody,

Apologies for the late running of this weeks email but the breaking news I've just been told is that two Bowliners, Michelle Aukland and Suzie Imber, were the 1st Ladies team home in this years OMM Mountain Marathon. Super well done girls!!

Whist Michelle and Suzie were busy enjoying the Northumberland countryside we had pretty reasonable weather for the weekend. There was climbing in the Peak and bouldering on Dartmoor too! Whatever you were up to I hope you had an awesome weekend :)

We still have a few places available on the Mountain Biking meet this coming weekend. And we really would like to get more people coming to the club annual dinner, remember partners and friends are welcome too!

This week we have bouldering at the The Climbing Station on Tuesday evening. And then climbing at The Tower on Thursday evening.

Also check out these upcoming events from the BMC:

BMC Winter Skills Lectures this November
Are you ready for winter? Neil Johnson and James Thacker (British Mountain Guides) will prepare you at the BMC Winter Lectures.  These popular lectures are set to inspire any budding winter mountaineers out there. Sponsored by Lowe Alpine there will also be a free prize draw every night.

Dates & Venues (lectures start 7.30pm and run for approximately two hours)
Tuesday 25 November           University of Manchester
Wednesday 26 November      Sheffield Hallam University
Thursday 27 November          University of Birmingham
Tuesday 2 December             University College London
Wednesday 3 December        University of Southampton
Thursday 4 December            University of Bristol

Tickets
Tickets cost £5 per BMC member and £7 non-members. Group discount: buy 10 or more tickets in advance for £3.50 per ticket. Tickets can be purchased online from the BMC shop or by telephoning 0161 445 6111.

www.thebmc.co.uk/winterlectures

BMC Rock Climbing Injury Symposium, 2014
15-16 Nov, Park Inn Radisson, Manchester
A full weekend of evidence-based talks and workshops on climbing injuries in adult and young climbers, given by world-leading experts Professors Volker Schöffl and Andreas Schweizer.  There will also be paediatricians, radiologists, physiotherapists, podiatrists and nutritionist.

Aim: to improve the understanding of climbing related injuries: their prevention, diagnosis and management. 
Who for: Coaches, doctors, surgeons, allied health professionals, climbers, parents of dedicated young climbers, sport and exercise specialists. CPD points available.

Booking & full info: www.thebmc.co.uk/climbinginjury

Hi Everybody,

We are very excited as it is less than one week until our Mountain Biking Meet in the Forest of Dean. We still have a few places left if you would like to join us, there is plenty of walking/climbing in the area if you don't fancy MTB.

For those of you that are going now is the time to double check your bike is in good working order, make sure you have all the kit you need for riding (helmet, gloves, waterproofs, spare inner tube, etc). Please also remember to pack your sleeping bag, wask kit, towel, etc, plus food for making your packed lunches and any drinkie of course!

The outline plan the riding do a single track ride on the Saturday, and then visit the trail centre on the Sunday. However it is possible that due to there being a competition on the Sunday at the trail centre we could possibly switch these round (to be decided on Friday when were all there and peoples preferences can be considered).

To help us organise the food and transport for the weekend can I ask you all to send me an email with answers to the following questions for yourself plus any friends you are bringing:

1. Food - We are arranging a group meal for everyone on the Saturday night, it will probably be a curry style dinner. We wil also be arranging breakfast of porridge/toast for everybody. This is all include in the cost of the weekend. What we need to know is whether you have any special dietary requirements that we need to cater for?

2. Transport - Firstly we need to know whether you have transport sorted? If not please let us know so we can try and find someone for you to travel with!

3. Lifts - If you are going in your own vehicle and are able to offer a lift to others please can you let me know where you are travelling from and your contact details so I can pass them on to people in need of a lift?

I think that's it, if you need any more info or have any questions let me know.

Look forward to seeing you all there,

Andy Potter
BCC Meets Secretary
07796 220055

Hey Bowliners,

We had a busy week just gone, even if it was mainly indoor activities. The Tuesday bouldering night was super with loads of Bowliners and friends in attendance. If you haven't come down on a Tuesday yet then why not come and join us, the routes at The Climbing Station are great and the atmosphere friendly and fun! We also enjoyed the Brit Rock Film tour in Derby. Hope you all had a great weekend and managed to get out between the showers!

We have our Club annual dinner coming up really soon so we need to know ASAP if you can make it and if so what menu choices you would like (and whether you will need accommodation). Last year we had a fantastic time and this year will be just as good so I'm looking forward to seeing you all there!!

This week we have bouldering at the The Climbing Station on Tuesday evening. And then climbing at The Tower on Thursday evening. The forecast for the coming weekend is not brilliant but keep an eye on your emails (or our website) for updates on any potential climbing meets (outdoor or indoor).

Hey Bowliners,

Well if you didn't come to North Wales with us this weekend then you really did miss out. We had the most lovely weather, wall to wall sunshine on Anglesey on Saturday. Climbing at Holyhead mountain was just brilliant (especially the rather interesting 'Elephants Arse' route), although I wish I had had an abseil rope as the conditions at Gogarth were sublime! We had a lovely meal and drinks at the club hut on Saturday night thanks to Laurence, Louise, Adam and Dave for the great company!

And then Sunday morning brought us yet more wall to wall sunshine, this time even in the mountains. So we had all the activities in full swing with Dave handling the mountain biking, Laurence and Louise taking on the walking, whilst Adam and I enjoyed climbing at Carreg Wastad with the sun beating down on us all day. It's a hard life, but someones got to do it!

This week we will of course be at The Climbing Station on Tuesday as usual. And on Thursday we have a meet at the Brit Rock film festival in Derby (don't forget to book your tickets in advance). Bouldering beforehand at the climbing unit.

We've a couple of new dates in the diary too (see below). The BMC Midlands area meeting and AGM on the 19th November. And the club committee meeting on the 29th October.

Hope you all have a great week!

The forecast for the weekend involves the pesky wet stuff falling from the sky pretty much wherever you are in the country. So you might as well be in the lovely Snowdonia enjoying the mountains and of course the apres-mountain fun back at the hut. If like me you're not put off by a little rain then come and join us!

For those that are coming could you please let me know that you will be there? If you have transport sorted (and if you can offer a lift to anyone)? And of course whether you would like to join in the evening meal on the Saturday night which I will organise (and if so whether you have any special dietary requirements or food you simply can't eat)!

If you are coming to the hut for the first time don't forget to bring your sleeping bag, towel, wash kit, etc. And of course bring food for your breakfast/lunches and any drinkies you want :)

Given the inclement weather make sure you've got full waterproofs and bring wellies if you have them. Some people are bringing Mountain Bikes to go for a bike ride on one of the days so if you want to join in bring your bike too (or any other alternative activity equipment you like, perhaps a boat given the forecast)!

Any questions give me a shout - 07796 220055

Kind regards,

Andy

Hey Everybody,

Well I don't mind so much that it is raining today as I am sat in my nice warm/dry office. Especially as the sun was out yesterday so we could enjoy a lovely chilled out day of climbing at Craig Buddon and Markfield Quarry. The sun was also blazing in the South of France judging by the photo's from Loz, Tony and Andy who enjoyed a superb week climbing in Verdon gorge. Watchout for some photo's of their trip appearing soon on our Facebook page.

Looking forward to the coming weekend we will be off to the club hut for Scrambling and Walking. I will be preparing a dinner for the Saturday night so let me know if you are joining us and would like to be catered for. Also please let me know if you are planning to drive as it would make sense to co-ordinate lifts. I know we have some people coming who need transport and in any case taking less vehicles is cheaper and makes parking at the hut easier!

Next week we have an extra evening meet on Thursday 16th October for the Brit Rock Film tour. The films begin at 8:30pm at The Quad in Derby and to make the most of the evening in Derby why not join us beforehand from 6pm for pre-film Bouldering at The Climbing Unit!

This week we will of course be at The Climbing Station on Tuesday as usual. And there will be climbing at The Tower on Thursday evening too. See the events page on our website for details of these and all other club meets.