Author: Bill Deakin

Peter Roberts had a collection of Journals dating from the mid 60s to date. If there are any gaps in your collections, let me know the years and I will let you have the appropriate Journal(s). They will be going to the charity shop early next week.

I’ve just collected the rest of Peter’s books. I intend to donate these to the charity ‘Community Action Nepal’. Before doing so, I would like to give any Members with an interest in polar exploration the chance to fill in any gaps in their own libraries. There must be well over a hundred volumes, including expedition reports and biographies of major characters (and minor – there is one about a ship’s dog). If there are any titles you want, let me know as soon as possible – I want to take them to the charity early next week.

I’m away from this Friday until the 28th of March (or maybe later if I get ‘locked down’)! All the known hut bookings can be found on the web calendar. Check this before making a booking. I will have internet access so let me know if you want to stay. If there are any other matters which need resolving on the ground, please contact Steve.

Peter Roberts, who passed away in December, had some interesting books. I have collected some from his house. The solicitors dealing with the estate are also Peter’s executors and they are happy for the Club to have the books and dispose of them. I thought Club Members should have the opportunity to buy the books, any proceeds going to the upkeep of Beudy Mawr, where Peter was Hut Warden for over 20 years. Photos are attached. If you are interested in any of the books, email me (billdeakin@yahoo.com) with your offer by the end of this month. I will then review any offers and let people know. I have done some research and had a dealer look at the books, so I have some idea of their worth. Where there are several books in the photo, treat them as one ‘lot’. Bill

As you know, we have been forging links with the MUMC. Their Dinner is this Saturday, 7th March at the Skiddaw Hotel, Keswick. We have been invited to join them for the Dinner and ceilidh afterwards. More details are on our Facebook page. It would be good if we could have a presence.

Tim Rippon has booked 4 places this coming weekend. In March, Ian Crossley has booked 3 places for 16/17, and Sarah Crilley has booked 8 places for the weekend of 28/29. In April, the Easter weekend is reserved for Club use. The Derbyshire Pennine Club have booked the whole hut for the weekend of 18/19. Plenty of availability. Let myself or Steve Gregory know if you want to use the hut.

At last night’s Committee meeting, a fair bit of time was spent (again) on our communications strategy. How do we spread the word about the Club’s attractions and its activities, how do we keep that word in people’s minds and how do we follow things up. Its one thing to publish our outdoor meets programmes, but in these days of fast moving social media platforms where that particular ‘post’ may only be ‘in view’ for a short time, how do we remind people (Members and prospective Members) about it? We have Meetstaff, a website and a Facebook page. I don’t think we can count the Journal – to me, its more of a historical record. Members also use ‘closed group’ social media to communicate. I don’t know how to use social media to its full potential – do you? Should the Club be using Facebook more? Is WhatsApp and Instagram the way forward? How can we develop our communications with the MUMC/MUHC/other groups who may want to ‘get out there’? Lots of questions – can you help with finding the answers? If you are willing to help, please contact me. I’m on the telephone (ring or text), email, Facebook, WhatsApp[…]

I’ve just acquired an old Garmin Dakota 20 gps unit. I’ve no real idea how to use it. Has anyone any advice, eg, websites for instructions, map downloads (preferably free!). Thanks

Happy New Year! Here’s the situation for the first three months of 2020. Bedford MC have booked 10 spaces for this coming weekend (11th/12th) and Granville Toyn has booked 2 places from this Friday (10th) until the following Saturday (18th). Gareth Llewellyn has his Club meet on the weekend of 25th/26th – contact Gareth for details. There are no other bookings in January, February or March.

Steve and I are off to Spain on Sunday for a week of cragging in the sun – we are back on the 8th of December. It is Audrey Russell’s Meet this weekend but thereafter, the hut is available for your use. In fact, there are no bookings at Beudy until the weekend of 11/12 January 2020 (Bedford MC – 10 spaces). As usual, just email or telephone to let us know that you are going during this period. Hasta la vista!