Preston Mountaineering Club Newsletter www.thepmc.org.uk June 2012 June 2012 Above: Midweek walking group photo on Hutton Roof, March 2012. 2 Front cover: Laura Pringle on the summit of Geall Charn, March 2012 THE PRESIDENT’S BIT THE SECRETARY’S BIT Welcome to the June newsletter, I hope you For some odd reason I don’t seem to have done have all been enjoying your climbing / walking much with the PMC and half the year’s gone year as much as I have. already! However there seems to be lots of activity and people going off here there and The opening meets of the year have been everywhere which is most encouraging for the followed by more successful, well attended club as a whole. Speaking of activity I hope meets in Thirlmere, Newtonmore, Borrowdale preparations for the Alpine meet are and Deiniolen – see the meet reports later in progressing well? the newsletter. Sam and Dave, not the seventies soul duo I Unfortunately, the Peak meet in April and the hasten to add, are now fully qualified first- Deepdale meet in early June fell victim to the aiders after completing the course with Laura weather. Or, more accurately in the case of the and me under the gentle tutelage of Jason Day, Peak meet, fell victim to the weather forecast, our trainer for the weekend. Even the the actual weather turning out to be far better bandaging bit went well and no-one ended up than predicted. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it looking like an extra for ‘The Mummy’s again – please ignore the forecast and just get Revenge’. So congratulations to both for gaining out there! the one qualification you never want to use although if you see either of them roaming the The additional formal / informal meets on the mountains, hands aloft, loudly crying, first weekend of each month have been a great success with members enjoying days at the “Assess the danger” Manchester Climbing Centre, the North West Fear not, they’ll probably be practising, just Face Climbing Centre in Warrington, Twistleton ignore the latex gloves and do try not to trip Scar and Gowther Crag. Well done to Andy and over the designated casualty! Bill for pulling this together. Finally, last week I received a cheque for one There have also been two successful trips to hundred pounds from the BMCs’ annual grants Scotland over the Spring Bank Holiday week. fund following a speculative begging letter from While the rest of you were toasting Her Majesty yours truly. The committee have a plan for an in the pouring rain, various PMCers were additional development re the website which basking in sunshine on the hills of Glen Coe and this will be put towards, covering any costs Skye - reports to follow in a future newsletter. incurred. On a sad note, May saw the passing of long Intrigued? Good, now, go and enjoy the photos standing member Ken Thornton who died at and reports. the age of 86 after a short illness. Ken joined the club in the 1950s and became President in Mike 1970. He was made a life member in 2010. I’m sure you will all join me in extending the Club’s condolences to Ken’s widow, Madge. A full MEMBERS’ NEWS obituary appears later in the newsletter. Best wishes from us all to Treasurer Dave who That’s all from me for now. I hope to see you is undergoing lengthy treatment for prostate all on one or two of the summer meets. cancer. He is in good spirits and is looking forward to getting back out to play with the Keith PMC in the not too distant future. June 2012 OBITUARY – KEN THORNTON 1926-2012 I only knew Ken for a short while and did not realise that he wore quite so many hats during by Laura Pringle his life time including ,would you believe it, attending kick boxing class, being a river Sadly one of our long-standing members, Ken warden for Lancashire County Council, skiing, Thornton, passed away at the end of May aged fly fishing and quite a few others. Ken had a 86 after a short illness. Ken will always be fondly great love for the outdoors and nature and it remembered by those who knew him – always would appear that he made the most of these ready for a chat and a grand sense of humour. interests and together with Madge they made In latter years, Ken was always to be found at many friendships along the way especially the club’s mid-week walking meets – even if it among PMC members past and present. was just for a coffee at the start - but is his I always remember him with a happy smiling younger days was an active member – both out face always ready for a laugh and a joke and a on the hill - leading meets in the Lakes, Wales ‘reet good natter’. He was a stalwart member and Scotland- and within the club committee. of PMC for many years and in that regard did the club proud. I cannot remember a midweek Ken joined the club as a Full Member in meet that he missed despite his age or health. September 1959 and then served two spells on Madge and Ken would always be there even if the committee in the 1960s, became a Vice- it was only to see us all off when they were not President in 1969 and then President in 1970 feeling well enough to join us. serving for a further two years before handing God bless you Ken, You will certainly be missed over the reins to a young Don Hopkin. Ken was by all who knew you”. indeed commended “for his good and enthusiastic work in his first year of office” by I cannot put it any better than Graham. member Tom Meredith at the Annual General Meeting at the ODG, Langdale in December 1970. Ken carried on leading weekend meets MEETS PROGRAM 2013 - IDEAS WANTED? up to 1987. Along with his wife Madge, Ken was awarded Life Member status two years ago in Suggestions for meets for 2013 are requested recognition for their long membership and by the Meets Secretary. contribution to the club. Ken and Madge never missed a club Annual General Meeting and Any suggestions for meet venues are welcome Annual Dinner from the 1950’s onward - until – either for single day meets or weekends. very recently when Ken’s ill health prevented Whilst there are old favourites it is always nice them from coming along. Every AGM Ken would to have ‘new’ places to go and play. always seek me out to say ‘hello’ and catch up on news – he always seemed to have time for Just need to think about a few things – ideally everyone. meets should appeal to walkers and climbers alike – but there are some which are very much Graham Winfield tells us that “twelve PMC ‘walking meets’ (e.g. Trough of Bowland) and members turned out for Ken’s funeral at those which more loosely are seen as ‘climbing Accrington Crematorium on 8th June and meets’ – e.g. Peak (though why this is so I do afterwards refreshments were served in the not know – only once in 20 + years have I known pub across the road where a lively gathering any walkers to come along on a Peak Meet!!!) remembered him and regretted his passing. Madge appreciated our support and kind words Things to think about when suggesting a venue and our hearts and prayers go out to her at this – for day meets is there plenty of parking ( e.g. sad and distressing time. a lay-by for 4 cars is probably not an ideal RV), 4 Preston Mountaineering Club length of time to travel to RV, time of year – WEBSITE: WWW.THEPMC.ORG.UK access in snow and ice can be impossible. For The website has been revamped recently. I weekend meets is there accommodation? e.g. hope you find it easier to use. The password for YHA, independent hostel, campsite, again time the ‘Members Only’ section is edipol, a local of year – not many want to camp in January! – Anglezarke route. The Members Only section is there parking for anyone coming for the day contains copies of the newsletters back to 2002. nearby etc. Where’s the pub?!!! As the cost of newsletter is a significant fraction Please don’t suggest huts which we cannot of your membership fee, they are only afford or are too big a financial risk as I don’t accessible with the above password. want to offend anyone by rejecting these. After all these years I know most of the ones we can use – but there may be others I don’t. And if you are suggesting a meet please consider BULLETIN BOARD offering to be MC too! The bulletin board linked off the website is a Please don’t leave suggestions until the AGM good place to look for meet updates, midweek meeting – by then the card is decided for the walking and climbing as well as Club coming year. A lot of places I have to book 12 announcements and general chat. or 18 months or more in advance to make sure To post messages, you must sign up for we get a booking so things do take a bit of membership (this is independent of your forward planning.’ membership of the PMC and anybody, even non-PMC members, can sign up). However, there is also a PMC Members only section, which appears when you log onto the board, PMC NOW IN THE ELECTRONIC AGE!!! but only once Mike or Ian have manually added Not only can you browse the website, read you to the PMC Members group - please be these newsletters online, use the bulletin patient! If nothing happens within a few days, borad, you can also use electronic payment for drop Mike an email..