September 1997 Newsletter
Chairman's Introduction
This is the space in the newsletter for me as 'oh esteemed chairman!' to spew a bit of crap about the previous year - thus to encourage the old to rejoin our fantastic club and the new to see what a top banana club this is - and thus to wop out your cash and join up.
Hmm.. anyway. 1997 was a good year for the club - it saw an increase in membership from the year before - thus making the Hiking Club the second largest club in the AU. It also saw Andy John - the previous AU President, commending us on being one of the best run and well organised clubs in the AU (and no... we didn't pay him to say this!!).
But then came the downfall of the club - James and I were voted (probably more due to sympathy than anything else!!) vice and chair respectively. We had a bit of a rocky start - old members will fondly remember us getting frequently lost - but we soon got the hang of it - and I hope everyone enjoyed the year. We had some cracking socials - that culminated in our 'beach party' under the engineering tower. Ask any old member for the story of this great event.
This year promises to be another top year for the club - it's my last year so it better be! - we have revamped the walks list and have some great weekends away and socials planned - including our famous Caleigh - a chance to get very pissed and dance with anyone and everyone.
So enough banter - if your an old member and you are joining again - why? Are you stark raving mad??!! And if you are joining us for the first time - welcome to the mad goings on of the UWS HIKING CLUB - I hope you enjoy all we have to offer. And before you join - take a look at our web page - you may then think twice!!
Max Ellson
Pennine Way Trip, 27th June - 11th July 1997
It was during the successful club trip to Snowdonia last year that the idea of walking the Pennine Way was thought of and a great idea it was too!! Despite everyone suffering from blisters, aching joints and hurting shoulders, the Pennine Way is a bloody enjoyable walk.
The group, including Vice Chair James, Social Sec Sticky, member Sarah, as well as 3 others from last year, started off from Edale on Friday June 27th. We anticipated 14 days walking but this soon changed!
Kinder Scout and Bleaklow were negotiated easily on the 1st day, but Black Hill proved itself to be a treacherous bog and coupled with mist and driving rain the day was shortened, adding a further day to the trip.
Luckily, the weather improved and things went OK until Sticky's knee problem cut his trip short after only 4 days. The rest of us were now even more determined, although James' tent needed drastic attention after he attempted to dive in through the door and created a large hole in it! Malham was reached by the Tuesday and more then several pints were consumed in the excellent pub! (which is definitely worth a visit if you're near!) By now blisters were setting in and after traversing Fountains Fell and Pen-y-ghent en route into Ribblesdale with courage, Becks had to retire from the walk due to torn knee ligaments. Group morale was dipping, but nevertheless kept quite cheerful!
The next day Gromit gave up due to persistent painful feet, and so we were down to half the original number!
A super day over Great Shunner Fell followed, with fantastic views of Wharfedale and ended with a 4 mile trek uphill to the Tan Hill Pub, our base for the night, at 1730 ft. Lush weather was on the scene now, and with fitness improving with every day, it was becoming more and more enjoyable.
Teesdale, an absolute delight, along with the fantastic view from High Cup Nick, was the best day of all! Cross Fell, the highest of the Pennines, was ascended with relative ease, and the finishing point Kirk Yetholm, was nearly in sight.
Two boring days across to the Cheviots finished with a rough camp in a forest next to an MOD range - causing us to be woken at 3am by bombs going off a few miles away!
The last day across the Cheviots was a real killer as we set off at 7:30am had little food, little water and were knackered - but we reached KY 121 hours later. It's strange when you get to the end - it's a feeling of regret and elation at the same time. The Pennine Way is a great walk, although you wonder sometimes why you are doing it! But it is 274 miles of achievement and is well worth doing. The Coast to Coast is a possibility for next year (depending on the footie World Cup) - so if you are into it speak to James.
James Burdett
Peaks District Weekend Away - 1996
The journey from Swansea to Buxworth took us around 3 1/4 hours, which was long enough to mercilessly blast some of my greasy music to a largely 'dazed and confused' minibus - sorry Sarah' still think the eagles are OK.
After installing ourselves at a comfortable hostel, which used to be a railway station, we headed for the local tavern. Whilst some of us played bar games on one side of the bar, Joshi and Sebastian spent the evening chatting up a local girl.
As I was remarking to Max on how Joshi's progress was like "a shertain Mishter - this would present no problem - Bond", a local chappie informed us that the girl in question was a black belt in Karate! Tis' strange you know what the reaction between useful information and alcohol does to the vocal chords!
The next day we split into 2 groups, led by Andy and James (don't call me Jimmy), where each walked up Kinder Scout from different directions. I was in James' group, where we found a thin strip of snow, on a steep gradient, which gave us loads of fun 'snow - survival baggin' who won between Britain and Germany?
That evening down the local, after lively discussion's and fine ale, a gauntlet was laid down by Tony and myself to James and Tim for a table tennis match back at the hostel. Chants of "need a walking stick gramps?!" , to Tony and myself did not deter us from a superb contest, in which the "young ones" beat the "old gits" in a knife edge finale.
The next day the walk combined an exposed uphill hike with a mellow descent through wooded areas, which rounded off a brilliant weekend.
Well-organised 'old' committee, looking forward to the next weekend away.
Lorenzo Stafford
Cadair Idris - March 1997
I often find that when asking the question "What did you do at the weekend" to my fellow students on a Monday morning, they often mutter that they "got some work done". This is a popular myth. Sunday in particular is a day spent finding and carrying out excuses for not doing anything. Suddenly cleaning the kitchen becomes something to fight over in the desperate struggle to avoid work. When your bedroom's spotless (obviously can't work in an untidy environment), your folder is indexed alphabetically
(organisation's the key you see) and the fruit bowl's been rearranged (because um, it needed it like) it's time to go down the pub because you need a break. You don't actually do anything useful. If words like "exercise" and "a.m." don't seem to figure in your life, then do something about it. Enjoying spectacular views across the stunning open countryside, and taking "refreshing" showers beneath beautiful waterfalls are a welcome change from staring at a blank sheet of paper and a sad effort at trying to get your radiator to work properly.
I will never forget our weekend trip to Snowdon last March. I had to roll up my trousers because it was so hot and returned to Swansea with a severely burnt nose. The whole group made it up to the top of the mountain and got to see the most stunning views across North Wales. When I got back to University many of my friends were green with envy and my biggest regret was not taking my camera to capture such wonderfully clear images of the Isle of Man and Cadair Idris.
Obviously, the weather isn't always so perfect, in fact that's an understatement and a half. However, remember that a fresh wind is a fine hangover remover. Being huddled together to keep warm is a good way to get to know people quite intimately and if you're bored of starting conversations with "what course are you doing?" then "are your feet soaking as well?" is good for a change. You don't even have to worry about wearing an anorak because apparently trainspotting's really popular nowadays.
Zoë Mogford
Committee 1997 - 1998
Chairman: Max Ellson
Ruling by dictatorship, this Jump attempts to keep some sort of order at committee meetings. Never one to turn down a pint, Max always wears a baseball cap and says 'champion' a lot. (not cos he is though, it's just that he thinks it's cool. No one has the heart to tell him it's not) A damn fine bloke he takes on this position from being vice chair. Watch out for his driving it leaves a lot to be desired!
Vice Chair: James Burdett
Took over the mantle of club fuckwit last year after jumping off a cliff. You'll therefore be pleased to know he's in charge of the club in the absence of Max! A decent bloke who likes his quality beers (or so he says - quantity is more appropriate! 9. James was last years social sec. - so you're lucky you're joining this year!!
Treasurer: Marius Twite
A nice guy - if Maz isn't walking then you can guarantee he'll either be rock climbing or at an obscure indie gig somewhere. As treasurer, he ensures club finances stay out of trouble. Wears a lovely pair of light blue trousers nice!
Secretary: Zoë Mogford
By far the prettiest member of the committee (but then some would say that there's not much competition!!), Zoë does an excellent job of booking weekends away and doing other secretary type things! Avoids gossip by never doing anything stupid.
Social Secretary: Steve Horn
Responsible for organising great nights out, 'Sticky' is well known for an amazingly weak tolerance to anything alcoholic. Instantly recognisable on walks because he is A) the only one with a stick on A walks and B) he wears the tightest trousers ever. A very good leader.
Publicity Secretary: Lorenzo Stafford
Known as Loz, the man with the paper and pens is responsible for making sure everyone hears about club walks and socials. A bit of a traveller, Loz is the 'mature' guy on the committee, not that you'd know after a few pints!
James Burdett
Social Calendar Winter 1997
Thursday 2nd October - Equipment Trip followed by beers at O'Neils
Fancy getting some new gear at discount price or just want to get to know the club better? Then join us at Blacks for a 20% discount and a few beers afterwards.
Friday 10th October - The round the World Pub Crawl
An increasing regular event and rightly so. A drink from different countries in each pub and a headache in the morning, it's that simple.
Tuesday 21st October - Navigation Training Evening
Navigation advice from those who (think) they know what they're talking about.
Friday 24th October - Peak District Weekend Away Meeting followed by First Year Rep's Elections at Jubbly's.
Want to join the committee, here is your chance. After signing up for one of the most popular weekends away, it is off to Jubbly's for voting under the influence of brightly coloured cocktails.
Tuesday 4th November - Mountain Rescue Talk
Talk and advice from the experts, doubtless followed by a trip to some pub.
Tuesday 11th November - Hiking Club Barn Dance / Ceilidh
A superb event which we can never decide how to name. There's a bar, a band, lots of jumping around and a good time to be had by all. It has always been very popular, just ask anyone who's been before.
Tuesday 18th November - Weekend Away Meeting
Signing up and information about the weekend will be followed by a trip to JC's and who knows where after that.
Tuesday 2nd December - Hiking Club Annual Christmas Dinner and Dance
A great way to end the term. A few crap speeches and a silly raffle are among the events at our annual Christmas dinner so why not come and increase your waistline with us.
