Birchens Edge

Able bodied

Members: Rob Allen, Mark Ashley, Christine Beeston, Susan Brooke, Joanne Castick, Sabina Cosulich, Trish Cranston, Ian Crook, John Dobson, Roger Dyke, John Evans, Joe Flynn, Dave Garland, Kathy Gordon, Martin Heaton, Alan (Liverpool) Jones, Duncan Lee, Roger and Bridget Mapleson, Al Metelko, Dan O'Brien, Lester Payne, Dave Summerfield, Zoey Talks, Jenny Varley, Pete Walker, Dave Wylie

Guests: Mark Binham, Steve Bowker, John Cox, Alex Dobson, Michael Dorrington, Helen Dowd, Carl Dwyer, Emma Gledhill, Alex Heaton, Anna Jerolami, Andy Lidstone, Carys and Owen Mapleson, Dave Moon, Theresa Parolis, Kate Sparks

Walking wounded

Members: Ken Beetham, Fiona Roy

The brilliant weather and convivial atmosphere attracted the usual all star cast with one or two very welcome surprise guests, one of whom, modelling the latest in bondage gear (which put the Ann Summers collection to shame), attracted an awful lot of attention. Duncan being his usual self spent much of the day trying to shorten Fi's crutches, without being caught, to see if she would go round in circles, but fortunately wasn't successful. Seriously it was really good to see Fiona venturing out and also to see Ken looking fit and well. I'm sure the National Health Service will send Fiona a bill for the wear and tear on her crutches later!

Once again the day was as much about socialising as climbing and whilst a lot of good routes were climbed I can safely say that none of these were by the meet leader!

I have been unsuccessfully racking my brain for a different family friendly crag, but due to a lack of imagination the meet will once again be at Birchens.

The advantage of the location is that it is pretty well child safe and there might be something on the crag that the meet leader can climb. I will be arriving at around 11.00 am and look forward to seeing you all there.