Author: Andy Tomlinson

As you will be aware, the English, Welsh and Scottish Governments have announced a further easing of Coronavirus restrictions over the last week. We are awaiting updated guidance from the BMC before finalising new guidance for the future use of individual Huts. Importantly “appropriate and reasonable” steps to manage the risk of infection will have to stay in place; this means continuing to follow the Coronavirus guidance we have in place for the use of the Huts at present.As a consequence, this will continue to affect the numbers of people we can allow into each hut at any one time and that the 48hr ‘down time’ between use by members will remain until such time as there is a change in BMC guidance.   Huts:The update on individual Hut use is as follows and takes account of the local restrictions: High Moss: Whilst the English Government has indicated that all restrictions are to be lifted from 19thJuly, statements such as “we cannot simply revert instantly from Monday July 19 to life as it was before Covid” [Prime Minister during his Downing Street Press Conference last week when confirming restrictions were to be lifted], implies we need to move with caution. We[…]

I held off Posting an update at the beginning of the month as the next Committee meeting was scheduled for Monday 14th June, fortuitously the same day that the English Government was announcing its recommendations for Step 4 of the Road Map out of lockdown. Until a week ago, I was hoping all restrictions would be lifted, but in the end the spread of the Delta variant has led to another month’s delay. As a consequence, there was less decision making needed and there are just two things to mention: Meets: Both the climbing and walking Wednesday meets have been well attended since they were reinstated [climbing at the end of March and walking mid-May].Club members enjoying the first Wednesday evening climbing meet at Hobby Moor [Photo Dom Oughton] The relaxation in numbers allowed to meet on May 17th [now up to 30] and the easing of pre-meeting registration, adding to their popularity. Visit the Calendar where all upcoming Meets are highlighted; for climbing the crag location is identified and more information can be obtained at: wednesday.climbs@rucksackclub.org. For the walks the start point and main route are detailed, however there is usually a shorter ‘B’ route for the day too;[…]

Hut “down time” between visits reduced to 48hrs More good news…I am pleased to say that we are reducing the quarantine period between groups using the huts from 72hrs to 48hrs from Monday 17th May, as outlined by the updated BMC guidance. The following is a summary from the BMC: “In line with current advice from the UK government and World Health Organisation, the BMC has amended its guidance on Covid-19 and reopening club huts. The original 72hr quarantine period between visits can be reduced to 48hrs once multiple indoor household occupancy is permitted, with the aspiration that all restrictions will be lifted during Summer 2021.” To see the full BMC update please click here. The consequence of this is that, potentially, our huts may be available on an increased number of days each week to members, although many bookings have already been made. Please contact the individual Hut Warden to obtain the latest information. Andy

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[…]

Welcome to the April update…how the last month has flown by and, looking at what I wrote in March, how things have changed over the month. We had a lively and positive Committee Meeting on 29 March and I would like to publicly thank all the members who have volunteered to be on the Committee. There are normally just five meetings a year, but with all that is going on at present, we have been meeting monthly and I think this will continue for 2 or 3 months more! I have three things to mention:   It is with great sadness that I have to report that 2 senior members of the Club, Geoff Bell and Dave Briggs died last week. Geoff was a past President of considerable distinction and one of the nicest people you could possibly wish to meet. He had a prodigious talent for long, arduous walks and bike rides done quite quickly! His ‘On the hill with…’ gives further insight into his adventurous life. Dave was the Father of the Club and was a past Warden of Beudy Mawr. Our sympathies go to both families at this difficult time.   Meets: Thanks to the efforts of[…]

As noted in my previous Post about organised Meets recommencing, I am coordinating a walking Meet [of around 16mls] in the western Peak on Easter Saturday [3rd April 2021]. The full details are held in the Members Only Documents area of the Website, which can be accessed here. Please note you will need to be logged in to access this information. The Meet information is in Document 5 [One Day Meets – Walking & Climbing], but please also read the other 4 Documents] As it is likely to be very busy, I propose starting at 08.30 and limit the numbers attending to 12 on this occasion [first come first serve basis]. If you would like to join me, please contact me by email or mobile phone as in the full details. Andy Tomlinson