Multitude present included: Phil Ramsbottom, Jim and Judith Symon, Lester Payne, Frank and Margaret Williams, Iain McAllum, D.W. Seddon, P. Walker, Cathy Devine, Jeremy Engineer, C. Williamson, D. Dillon, Al Metelko, Dave Wylie, Dave Bone, Dave Whittingham, Dave Shotton, R. Dyke, Sue and Heather Brooke, D. Lee, Virginia and Joanne Castick, Lorna Marsland and her lads, Me, Nev McMillan, Sheenah Hendrie, Craig Marsden, Anne Wolley, Bob and Sylvia Haynes, Claire Byrne, Roger and Bridget Mapleson plus a few lads from Nottingham two of whom took tea with me. Of KMC and guests 37 approx.

If I have missed any sorry.

Of course one may say that the climbing here is now dated, but is that such a bad thing. You at least, like Scafell and Gable have to work up a sweat to get there. I passed a sprawl of couched youth on the way up and was a little disturbed, not by their pleasantness, but by the pending obesity of several of them bound for the Chew.

Anyway it was a lovely day after last year's wash out and many routes were done. I know the youngsters performed admirably and the surviving 'experienced'!!! mountaineer found ecstasy amongst the sods. The now mucky first climb I did there was North Climb with Brian Waller in the early fifties and Duncan reminisced with me as I kneed my way up the lower grass to final glory worthy of Wagner's efforts. It may well be the last. The Stove limped along on a worn out engine until the last litre when it suddenly roared into melt down. Was it trying to tell me something? Dillon seems set on winning a pot at the slide show whilst another member received gear from Lee to the relief of his second who was setting down for the night. Nev inspected the sandy veneer at the top of Leaf Buttress, and lastly I can hardly move today, Tuesday.

It's a strange gathering this particular meet at Laddow, annually people turn up like old neighbours popping in and its great to see them. I suppose the stove and clap trap surrounding it acts as a pivot and thanks again to all who came. I'm sure that the day was well spent by all concerned. Many thanks to those work horses who bore upwards both waters and means to boil it. Perhaps what Man City needs is KMC tea. What do you think? Suggestions please by postcard addressed to Francis Lee Esq.(Duncan's Uncle) at Maine road. Moss Side.

This is a traditional crag right from the earliest gritstone days. In fact, most northern pioneers have succumbed to its embraces. The KMC always seem to have enjoyed going and I hope to see many of you there where the tea will be available from my case around 11am onwards. CRAG map ref. is Dark Peak 057015.

This meet will alas suffer from absent friends this year. Black has gone to his place in our memories and I cannot think of a better spot to do him proud than a private thought about his enthusiasm at noon in the cave area. He was always fond of the ankle crashing traverse up top and a symbolic multi rope to that formerly revered, trade test of the old days would not go amiss, but please count me out. I am a realist, most days. In latter years he really did enjoy our mutual birthday parties at the hut and the many kindnesses shown before he went to bed at some unearthly hour around 11pm.

I for one have nothing but fun memories of the gregarious, knowledgeable guy, his impulses and ability to move mountains should the occasion arise. The KMC owes him a hell of a lot and therefore as the Twilight Group has only three survivors of its five originals. i.e. Nat, Bowden, Grey, Davis and I. Out chalk bags and have a days gardening in the pouring rain. Although as we were peed on in '96 is should be a dry day this time.

A volunteer would be assured of a days friendship if he or she would help carry up the water, as nowadays it seems to weigh a bit heavier.

For the uninitiated there are climbs of all grades up to hard VS, but also there are quite a lot of superb V.Diffs and Severes. Take the Wood head Road as far as the Crowden YH car park map ref. 073994 crag is in left hand corner towards Holme Moss. Another approach is from the Chew Valley car park map ref. 013035 and up the road. Either way you have about ¾ of an hour pleasant up, with virtually a guarantee of no queues.