KMC Annual Dinner 2007
On Friday the 9th of November 2007, the back bar of the Goat Hotel began to resound with the tales of the KMC for the second time in a mere 48 years. The banter continued long after the solitary barman's bedtime as we commenced labelling operations on the inaugural KMC founders brew: "Old Stubby", which the hotel had agreed to sell from behind the bar the next night.
At breakfast the vanguard company split into climbing and walking teams. The day, though damp, saw several of the KMC out on the hills in different spots with Roger Dyke, Katie and I heading to the sanctuary of Tremadog punctuated by an innings at Eric's. All congregated back at the hotel in the early evening where a few welcome surprise guests swelled our numbers to fifty just before being called in to dinner. Lord Hunt himself presided over seventy nine last time so we were not doing too badly.
The hotel did us proud with a feast of well-prepared local fare. Compare this year's menu to that of 17th October 1959 to see just how good it was.
This year's speech was provided by Les Ainsworth, editor of the Lancashire guidebook, former day contemporary of early KMC exploits and latter day activist for access and bolting. The speech covered a lot of ground and even drew heckles from Ken Beetham and others. Les (as was said of Lady Hunt at the last dinner) proved to be "a good sport" and managed to court the kind of controversy enjoyed by our erstwhile guest Don Whillains through a scathing rebuke of "those Rockfax people".
Following a club speech from our president, several awards, some sadly in absentia, were presented on behalf of the committee:
Dave Wylie was awarded the "Golden Mouse" for his tireless and much appreciated work as the club's webmaster.
Roger Daley's literary prowess was acknowledged with the "Golden Biro" award in recognition of his Shakespearean contribution to the club newsletter.
Our most active member: Al Metelko was equipped with the "Golden Karabiner" which he promptly inspected and proclaimed to be unfit for use! As Al seems to solo everything this is unlikely to prove a problem.
Finally Roger Dyke added an extra award of his own, berating Neville McMillan with the "Sandbag of the Year".
Unlike the club's 15th annual dinner when Bowden Black orchestrated a re-enactment of Hannibal's crossing of Bleaklow by elephant(?), thespians at the 63rd dinner proved to be in short supply. This year's entertainments were the drawing of raffle prizes and the marking of the table quiz with a closing attempt at the world mass DIY kazoo choir record. A group rendition of the Manchester Rambler descended into chaos until Frank Williams saved the day and closed the musical portion of the evening with a sterling comb and baking paper rendition of God Save the Queen.
Once again the Goat's barman served above and beyond the call of duty leaving only when Andy had bought every remaining bottle of beer and had it opened on the bar. While most guests retired to the comfort of hotel rooms, a few headed back home and at least one made for the sanctuary of the hut - pity about the lock on the middle gate though, eh Anne?
Breakfast was a convenient marshalling time again and we split into two walking groups with a third trio of Roger Dyke, Les Ainsworth and his daughter heading for Tremadog.
Katie Horgan led the more relaxed of the two walks up past the coppermine and around Myndd Sygyn accompanied by Frank Williams, Iain McCallum, Pat McCallum, Sue Brooke, Pete Hughes, Pete Walker, Neville McMillan and Alan "Liverpool" Jones.
The hardier group, comprising myself, Michelle, Mark, James, Kasia, Andy and Brian (their second trip up Snowdon in as many days) headed off up the Watkin path - sadly without Scott and Kevin who beat a hasty retreat in the direction of gritstone when they felt rain in the carpark!
It being Remembrance Day we paused at 11:00 alongside the waterfalls to observe two minutes silence.
Both parties made it back in one piece just before dark and after various stops for Bara Brith and teas headed back to all points East. In all it was an excellent weekend, much enjoyed by those who attended. We'll be at a different mountain hotel next year on the 8th November 2008. I am on the happy task of testing establishments' fare so make a date - I'd like to see sixty nine others of you along with me, let's make it even better - watch this space for venue details.
David Bish
