September 2001 Newsletter
Chairman's Introduction
Meet the committee
Walks Program Michealmas Term 2001
Peak District Weekend Away, 3rd - 5th November 2000
Christmas Dinner, 6th December 2000
Michealmas Term Social Calendar
Random Information
General Information
Chairman's introduction
A warm welcome to all of you joining the Hiking Club this year. If this is the first time you've joined, we aim to visit some of the most beautiful and exciting hiking locations around the country. If you've joined us before, you'll know this already and could have skipped that last bit.
It's been a bit of a rocky ride since January, thanks to the rural calamity that is foot-and-mouth disease. To say last semester was a total disaster for us would be overstating it, however; we couldn't possibly ignore the rather magnificent walks in the Wye and Elan Valleys, some killer hikes on Dartmoor, two wholly remarkable walks along the Pembrokeshire Coast, and a completely splendid weekend' spent in the mountains around Snowdon. And on the social side there was, ooh, lots, including Orientbeering and the utterly exuberent Ceilidh.
Well, all that was last term, what of the term yet to come? Foot-and-mouth has meant we've had to do a spot of last minute juggling of the walks programme, but we reckon you won't notice.
True to the University spirit, we kick off with a social event: an equipment trip, your chance to buy essential gear at a discount. Our first walk is the traditional Rhosilli - Port Eynon (or, in-deed, Port Eynon - Rhossili) on the Gower. The following week we pay a visit to the Brecon Beacons and the hilltop castle of Carreg Cennan, and the week after that, we return to the Brecons to conquer Pen-y-Fan. Then a short week to catch you breath before we whisk you off to the Peak District for a whole weekend. Other highlights this term: everything! Especially the the Cefn Bryn Night Hike, Cadair Idris weekend, and gentle Forest of Dean.
On the Social side the Round the World Pub Crawl adds an international dimension to the Mumbles Mile; bowling brings in a comic side to the Committee; and there's the Christmas Dinner, where some poor sod has to make a big speech, hang on, that's me.
Finally, we're looking to elect a couple of new Committee members this term, so if you fancy getting a few gold stars on your CV, come along to the First Year Rep elections in November.
See you on the hills!
Rob Lievesley
Meet the committee
Chief Hiker, the Chairman - Rob Lievesley
Our level headed leader uses his wisdom and experience to steer the rest of us in the right direction and away from the usual madness. He's a great bloke who always seems to know the answers to our mind-boggling problems, so any questions, Rob's your man!
Kitbag Monkey, the Vice-Chairman - Rhodri Haines
Our very own welshman, Rhodri keeps a watchful eye on all of the club's equipment. He employs a certain 'pub radar' on walks to ensure we find the best ways to end the hikes, and is not unknown to enjoy a small beverage every once in a while either.
Principal Money Launderer, the Treasurer - Dave Jarman
Dave holds the somewhat vital responsibility of keeping tabs on the club's cash flow situation: in other words making sure we don't spend it ALL at once. Can't help thinking I've heard that somewhere beforehe sounds just like Auntie Veronica.
Debutante Scribe, the (interim) Secretary - Sue Haywood
The Committee's most recent conscript, thanks to the previous incumbent escaping to Norway when Rob wasn't looking. Sue's new job is to book the pubs and take minutes at meetings not as easy as it sounds. She is a keen walker too, which could be useful in a hiking club.
Leading Drunkard, the Social Secretary - Emma Roe
Emma doesn't really look like a sheep, except after a particularly heavy night out in Barons. Emma has one of the most important jobs in the club: organising the piss-ups, er, social gatherings, so with such a huge responsibility it's really important to be nice to her.
Master of the Coloured Pens, the Publicity Secretary - Jim Foster
This really cool guy is an absolute star, making certain that everyone knows about the club's walks and socials, and generally roughing up the smoothly polished edges. It's really important to be as nice to him as possible by buying him lots of drinks...er, that would be me then.
Official Nerd, the Webmaster - James Johnson
Our supreme master of all things "webby". Our very own e-Spiderman, James keeps our excellent website up to date with information about past and future hikes and socials. Be sure to visit it on a regular basis!
Jim Foster
Also putting in an appearance later this term will be two First Year Reps. They could be you! Or one of 'em at least. - Rob
Walks Program Michealmas Term 2001
Please note that these walks are subject to change with very little warning. Pease see the notice-board and website for the latest details. Walks grades: A = Easy; B = moderate; C = Hard
Sunday October 7th: Rhossili & Port Eynon (A)
A nice gentle introduction to the club on a popular walk on the stunning Gower peninsular. A great chance to meet new friends and marvel at the sights of the area.
Sunday October 14th: Carreg Cennan (B)
The Westernmost reaches of the Brecon Beacons are our destination as we the visit the mag-nificent castle of Carreg Cennan and the nearby teashop, which serves bottomless cups of coffee.
Sunday October 21st: Pen-y-Fan (C)
A classic walk in the Brecon Beacons. Not for the faint-hearted this rewarding walk takes in the highest peak of the Beacons and ends at the famous Star Inn! A great day's walking.
Friday 26th - Sunday October 28th: Peak District Weekend Away (B)
Come along and sample the delights of our first weekend away of many, in the peaty sur-roundings of the Peaks. A visit to Kinder Scout and surrounding areas of natural beauty. With-out doubt weekends are the best way of having a laugh and meeting some great people.
Sunday November 4th: Bannau Sir Gaer Navigation Walk (B)
A chance to practice or learn some navigation skills and lead the group on a walk! All abilities welcome whether you can read a map or not (and we haven't got lost yet!)
Sunday November 11th: Glamorgan Heritage Coast (A)
A spectacular walk along the coast east of Swansea and a great day to bring a camera. Stunning rock formations make this area very unique and allow a chance for some fossil hunting!
Tuesday November 13th: Cefn Bryn Night-hike (A)
The first night-hike of the year, along the Cefn Bryn ridge of central Gower. A gentle walk, don't forget a torch and experience a new meaning to the term hiking!!!
Sunday November 18th: Llangorse (B)
A steep climb to start the day followed by some pleasant hilltop walking, this is a fine walk with some great views.
Friday November 22nd - Sunday 25th: Cadir Idris Weekend Away (C)
An exhilarating climb up one of Snowdonia's best kept secrets. Cadir is an unforgiving and rugged mountain but offers spectacular rewards. Luxurious accommodation and welcoming local pubs complete the offering.
Sunday December 2nd: Afon Doethie Valley (B)
Our first visit to the Cambrian Mountains, which offer some interesting landscape. A relatively new walk, this promises to be a fantastic day out.
Sunday December 9th: Forest of Dean (A)
Our last walk of the term takes us just into England with a forest walk offering some fantastic views. If you still haven't made a hike this term, it's your last chance.
Rhodri Haines
Peak District Weekend Away, 3rd - 5th November 2000
The Peak district is situated in North West England, the highest part being Kinder Scout. Traveling north in two minibuses, we took a quick stop for food, and to let those with longer legs stretch a bit (or anyone with legs for that matter). Safe at our destination we leapt off the bus eager to get settled in and fed and then inevitably to the pub. Beverage consumption was kept fairly low with consideration in mind of the next days walk.
Up early for breakfast and off to conquer Kinder Scout. We went up in two groups, one led by Maz, their group having a challenging, organised walk in store for them, and the second led by Sam, whose group were destined to wander around on top of a hill looking for a way off. However, for both groups there was astonishing scenery in store. The Peaks are covered in rock for-mations which have been shaped by the weather into the most bizarre shapes, and they were good for climbing too. I was lucky enough to be in Sam's group and lunch was cold and wet, the weather that is, not our actual lunches (unless you were really unlucky). There were some waterfalls too, which were spectacular.
Anyway, enough of this walking malarkey, it's back to the station for hot showers and a square meal. Or not. Some managed good meals but cold showers, others managed a hot shower but a small meal, others achieved both, some neither, (though some smelly people opted not to have even a hot shower). I wisely prepared myself for the drinking ahead with two chicken and mush-room pot noodles, and fortunately was not punished for this foolhardy behavior.
To the pub and the pub was very nice, and things went well, especially when a group of young females caught the eye of several lads present. We also checked out some local girls as well! Drinking culminated in the Cointreau Challenge initiated by Rhodri, which threatened to put some out of action but left our guts intact.
After the pub, promises, pacts and secret drinking alliances are formed to make sure the next weekend is far more drunken. Then we had to go to bed as all the beer had gone. Next day a brave few, those who did not drink the night before, those who did not drink too much and those who were hungover but stupid, went on a lovely trip to a reservoir with a big dam, and walked around it. (Derwent Reservoir for those who can remember). Then it was back to Swan-sea tired, but happy. The journey home witnessed the creation of the Hiking club song, a fitting tribute to the hiking efforts of the weekend and the Beatles' Yellow Submarine.
Dave Jarman
Christmas Dinner, 6th December 2000
As the end of term approached, the nights became longer and colder, and tacky decorations went up all over Swansea, it became apparent that Christmas was on its way. This meant a chance to kick off our extremely muddy walking boots (if you attended any of the hikes near the end of term, you will know what I mean) and put on something pretty for the annual Hiking club's Christmas dinner.
After quite an uneventful coach journey, the highlight of which was our Chairman Sam's gorgeous newly dyed red hair, we arrived at the Oxwich Bay Hotel a rather large group of hungry hikers. Luckily, no sooner had we stepped through the door then we were handed the menu - a huge list of scrumptious food that included a starter, main Christmas meal and a desert for only £14, what a bargain!
Following the meal, Sam proceeded to give his well prepared (i.e. written on the coach on the way to the hotel) and entertaining speech, where his brightly colored hair at least served the purpose of keeping everyone focused on him throughout.
It was then time for the raffle, the quality prizes (of which approximately 50% was made up of Mars Bars) kept everyone in suspense, wondering if Rebecca would draw his or her number next.
After consuming vast quantities of alcohol, the cheesy disco music did not seem quite so bad. In fact, everyone became quite enthusiastic, especially when the Macarena came on!
Unfortunately, the coach ride home proved slightly more painful due to Rebecca's renditions of karaoke classics which accompanied us all the way home. I am sure it did not take as long to get there as it did to return home!
For those of you that did not attend and who did not have the pleasure of awaking up the next morning with a huge bruise on your lip, wondering how you managed to achieve that with a plas-tic light sabre, be sure not to miss our next social.
And finally, there was Ed who, four days after the event, admitted that he had woken up won-dering what he had been doing to warrant rescue by HM Coastguard! If you don't know the story buy Ed a drink and he is bound to tell you - or maybe not.
Emma Roe
(Ed has now left the university, but not all his contempories have and we'll be happy to spread the story a little further afield, Rob)
Michealmas Term Social Calendar
Wednesday October 3rd: Equipment Trip
A chance to meet your lovely Committee, while being able to purchase any hiking essentials at a discount! Afterwards, we'll head to the pub for a bit of socialising and a drink (or two).
Friday October 12th: Round the World Pub Crawl
This is the Mumbles Mile, with a bit of a twist. In each pub be prepared to sample the na-tional drink of a different country. A great ice breaker.
Tuesday October 23rd: Peak District sign-up & drinks
Sign up for the first weekend away of the year, then join us for a few drinks afterwards (as usual!).
Tuesday October 30th: Navigation Evening
The perfect opportunity to brush up on your navigation skills, or, if they are non-existant, you get the chance to acquire some.
Wednesday November 7th: Jubbly's & 1st Year Rep & Secretary Elections
If you fancy becoming a member of the Committee, then come along. There's a good variety of cocktails which are perfect pre-speech confidence boosters. You also get a good meal and a vote if you are not interested in standing.
Tuesday November 20th: Mountain Rescue talk and Cadair Idris sign-up
Advice, knowledge and amusing stories from the Brecon Beacons' Mountain Rescue Service. This is a good opportunity to pose those nagging questions that you have (where relevant) and sign up for another great weekend away.
Wednesday November 28th: Bowling
See if you are a match for the amazing skills of the Committee (well, we try!) Or just come along and have a laugh, you might even win a prize!
Wednesday December 5th OR Thursday 6th: Christmas Dinner and Dance
The highlight of this term's socials. A scrumptious Christmas dinner at the Oxwich Bay Ho-tel, followed by a raffle, a great drunken speech from our lovely chairman and a good cheesy disco. There's nothing better!
Friday December 14th: End of term piss-up @ iDOLS
Our last chance to all get together before Christmas, so, it's guaranteed to be a good night.
Emma Roe
Random Information
First Year Rep Elections
If you fancy getting a bit more in-volved in the club, you could do a lot worse than become a First-Year Rep. Absolutely no qualifications are necessary, you don't even have to be in your first year.
The theory behind becoming a first year Rep is that you will gain some in-sight and experience of the running of the club, ready to take over after the AGM in February. In practice it's a great laugh and looks great on your CV too. To get elected, all you have to do is come along to the elections in Jubbly's on November 7th and make a speech - dead easy.
If you want to know more about being on the Committee just grab one of the current lot (preferably the Chairman) and ply them with drinks until they tell you everything. Or just ask nicely, and they'll tell you anyway.
Hiking Club T-Shirts
Every year the Hiking Club holds a competition to design the t-shirt for that year. The prizes are fantastic: not only do you get a free t-shirt and a couple of free Sunday walks, but your design is seen in numerous countries across the world. If you're interested in submitting a design, see the noticeboard and the website for more details.
We'll announce the winner of the competition at the Christmas Dinner, and the t-shirts will be printed over the vacation. If you're not in Swansea after Christmas, we'll be able to post your t-shirt to you for an extra fee.
