May has arrived and with it another update on Rucksack Club activities…along with an icy blast from the north! Despite this summer is getting closer with, hopefully, further easing of lockdown restrictions across the four nations.
Meets. Meets have run throughout April, though numbers attending have been relatively low…7 to 10 being the maximum to date. I am certain that this is partly due to the extra administrative work required, as well as a tendency towards caution amongst many when it comes to meeting up in bigger groups. I attended the Wednesday evening climbing Meet at Castle Naze last week…good weather, good climbing and good company along with a beer at the end of the day outside the Beehive made me realise how much I’d missed such Club activities. Hopefully on 17 May, restrictions will ease further such that outside activities of up to 30 people can occur without the need for prior registration, agreement to follow Covid guidelines etc, all of which should make a significant difference. Please see the Calendar on the Website for the latest information on Meets, all of which continue to be single day only.
Huts. All three huts opened to one household/bubble last month and this increases to two this month. It has not been the easiest process given the slight differences between the three nations where we have huts, so please bear with us. The amount of time available for bookings has also been hampered by the current 72hr ‘downtime’ between visitors, something we need to comply with for insurance purposes; if there are any changes to this, we will keep members informed. Watch the Website for the latest information on things related to bookings and availability. Update on Fees in the Huts section of the Website (only available if logged in).
Donation to Mountain Rescue Teams (MRTs). A member emailed me asking the Committee to consider donating to MRTs on a regular basis. This was discussed and agreed unanimously at our last Meeting. A yearly direct debit payment is to be made to four MRTs; the three MRTs that cover the areas around our three huts, with the fourth going to a Peak District MRT. It was also agreed that if another MRT was involved in assisting a member, then a one-off donation should be given to that Team. I hope members agree this is a good way of helping to support this essential service.
Have a good month enjoying your favourite activity ‘out there’. See you soon.
Andy Tomlinson