Ty Powdyr, Bonfire "DO"

Members: Virginia Castick, John Castick, Joanne Castick, Sheena Hendrie, Dave Wylie, Alan Wylie, Duncan Lee, James Richardson, John Evans, Al Metelko, Joe Flynn, Lester Payne, Craig Marsden, Colin Maddison, Rob Clark, Rob Allen, Mark Garrod, Michelle Harvie, Sue Brooke, Heather Brooke, John Dobson, Norman Ingham, Vanessa Addison, Dave Dillon, Kevin Anderson, Ann Sanderson, Sue Marsden.

Guests: John Sanderson, Martin Willcock, Thomas Marsden, Phoebe Marsden, Andrew, Roisin Maddison, Dan O'Brien, Ian Crook, Gavin Staton, Jackie Starbeck, Shane Starbeck, Phillippa, Amanda Ingham, Jonathan Ingham, Theresa Parolis, James Smith, Alex Dobson, Roger Ximenis, Michael Dorrington, Cynthia Troche, Trish Cranston, Liz Hughes, Pete Apps, Kate Cooper.

 

(Apologies if your name's spelt wrong or you've been missed off. 51 people is a lot to write down.)

After an appalling week of rain Saturday turned out mild and windless with high cloud. Several teams went to Tremadoc where the crag was quiet and sufficiently dry. Ascents of Creag Ddu Wall and Poor Mans Peutrey were enjoyed. Duncan and Colin went to Cloggy and climbed on the Far East Buttress. Two teams went walking on Elidir Fawr And Y Garn.

Meanwhile back at the hut a bunch of potential pyromaniacs demolished great chunks of the country park flora with the aid of a chainsaw for the bonfire. A whole oak tree was seen was seen being moved on the shoulders of Joanne and James They claimed to have only taken fallen trees -Yeah right and who felled them?

As the forecast was for more rain the fire was lit early and the fireworks started promptly at seven Alan and Dave organised a terrific display with everybody's contributions. Resplendent on top of the bonfire was G.W. (Bush) made lovingly by the children and finally stuffed ignominiously into the heart of the fire to promote a good blaze. The main entertainment turned out not to be the fireworks but the attempts to get the bonfire really roaring. Although well lit in the middle, the sodden wood piled up around struggled to burn up. Who will forget the sight of Norman chucking fuel on from a can and the flames tracking back to the can, which he then hurled nonchalantly on to the fire. 'Do as I say kids, not as I do.' The aforementioned petrol chainsaw was then brought into action to attack the bonfire and fill the middle up. The whole club looked on in amazement from behind the safety of the stockade wall at this new version of the Chainsaw Massacre. By 10.30 the bonfire was blazing nicely, Norman was still alive and those whose jaws were not stuck together with Dave's treacle toffees chatted on until it started to rain. Those enjoying the warmth of the fire moved indoors to Dave's Disco. This started amusingly with tracks from Jungle Book and went on to better things as the evening progressed.

On Sunday the fire was still burning despite the overnight rain. Several teams set off for Idwal, one team returned to Tremadoc and everyone else disappeared off into the sunshine. Thanks to all who came and all those that did their bit to clear up. I enjoyed myself, I hope everyone else did.

Virginia Castick