Author: Bill Deakin

Yet another reason to visit Beudy sometime soon! We have a new oven! The old unit developed a fault and was replaced on Monday. Many thanks to Steve Beswick for sorting things out at short notice. On the bookings front, Rob McGinnes and family are in this weekend, its Jimmy Schofield’s Club Meet the following weekend and then we are into Easter. At present, there are only the 6 spaces in the Members Room left, so let me or Steve G know if you want to go.

A fault with one of the cookers/hobs has been reported. At present, we don’t know which one. Apparently the fuse marked ‘Cooker 3’ on the main control box ‘A’ keeps tripping out. Please be aware of this if you intend going to Beudy over the next few days. Hopefully, the matter will be dealt with next week.

We’ve had two cancellations which means Beudy is available this coming weekend and on the May Day bank holiday weekend. Let me or Steve know if you want to book.

Just a reminder that the MUMC have booked the hut exclusively next weekend (16/17 March) for their annual ‘Learn to Trad’ meet. Various small parties are in during the following week and weekend, but there is still plenty of room available. There are no bookings then until Jim Schofield’s Club Meet on 13/14 April (see Meetstaff or contact Jim for details). Belfast MC have booked 8 places from 20 to 23 April. Mike Zeidan’s running club have booked the hut for the May Day weekend (4-6 May) and our old friends, OBEC have booked the whole hut for their 52nd consecutive annual meet! From then on, there are no bookings until the Working Meet on 1/2 June.

At the moment, Beudy is empty for the rest of this month. If you fancy a wet and cold few days outdoors, let me or Steve know. March has bucked up a bit – Rob Seymour has booked a couple of places for the weekend of 9th/10th and the MUMC have booked the whole hut for the following weekend (16th/17th) to run their annual ‘learn to trad’ meet. Hopefully, the attractions of Beudy will encourage a few to apply for full Club membership! Presently, the rest of March is free. In April, Jim Schofield’s Meet is on the weekend of the 13th/14th – please contact Jim for details. Belfast MC have booked 8 places for the following Easter weekend. There are no other bookings so far for the rest of April. As always, let me or Steve know if you want to use Beudy – with electronic banking now available, you have no excuses!

Yes – its finally happened! You can now pay your hut fees for Beudy electronically. As well as the time honoured method of sending a cheque, you can make an e-payment. Pay ‘The Rucksack Club’ using sort code 20 55 41, account number 40599913 and reference your payment with your name, register page and number. No need to be long-winded – something like ‘Smith.P19L21, will enable me to identify the payment when I come to reconcile the account with the register entry (unless you’re a Llewellyn or a Cudahy, where an initial will be useful!). New payment slips, with full details of both methods of payment, have been prepared. Please note this is for Beudy only at this point in time – if it all works out, e-payments will be introduced at High Moss and Craigallan as well.

Happy New Year if I’ve not seen you! Bookings at Beudy for the first 4 months of the year (that is, up to the end of April) are:- This coming weekend (19th/20th January) – Gareth Llewellyn’s Club Meet. Contact Gareth for details. Jim Paxman has booked 6 places for the following weekend (26th/27th January. Thom Hall may be wanting 8 spaces for the weekend of 9th/10th February. Jim Schofield’s Club Meet is on 13th/14th April. Contact Jim for details. Thats it. No other bookings. Let me or Steve Gregory know if you want to use Beudy.

A Fire Safety Risk Assessment was carried out at Beudy just before Christmas. Because we take money in the form of hut fees, we fall under the definition of ‘business premises’ and are therefor subject to all kinds of legislation, including fire safety. The Assessment highlighted certain matters relating to electrical safety. These were a) modifying the fire detection system so that if one alarm went off, it would trigger all the other alarms, b) a requirement for an annual test certificate from a qualified person covering the fire alarm and emergency lighting systems and c) a requirement for a test certificate from a qualified person covering the whole electrical installation (this has to be done every 5 years). Do we have any qualified electricians in the Club who would be willing to carry out this work? If so, please contact me (details as per Handbook). Many thanks.

This coming weekend (7th-9th), Reading MC have booked 12 places for their annual get together in Wales. There are no other bookings as yet in December except that Barbara and I will be going to Beudy probably on New Years Eve and staying for a day or so. You are very welcome to join us. No problem if you want to go earlier/stay later. It will be a similar arrangement to last year – bring your own food and drink and do what you want. In January, Gareth Llewellyn is running a Club Meet on the weekend of 19th/20th. See Meetstaff or contact Gareth for details. Jim Paxman has booked 6 places for the weekend of 26th/27th. At present, there are no bookings in February or March. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from me and Steven.

Just a reminder that November is busy. Next weekend (3rd/4th), we have OBEC with 11 places booked, the following weekend (10th/11th) is the Club Dinner in Llanberis and we have had bookings for bedspaces from at least 10 Members up to now. Chris Foster’s Mines Meet is on the 17th/18th and Audrey Russell’s Meet is on the following weekend (24th/25th).