Present: John Castick, Colin Maddison, Jim Gregson, Sandy Gregson, Dave Shotton, Dave Pearson, Mark Ashley, Mark Pilling

I’m not going to pretend there’s been any fair division of labour here. John planned the work, ordered and assembled the materials, bought the food, made the soup, directed the work and documented the tasks. I just encouraged a few people down to help and scrawled a meet report. So considerable thanks to John up front for all his efforts to ensure another successful working meet.

Eight of us assembled for all or part of the weekend. Jim and Sandy had arrived Thursday and enjoyed an ascent of Tryfan on Friday. It was great to see Dave Pearson who took the dedication award for travelling all the way from Canada!

By the time I arrived Friday evening John, who arrived on Thursday, had already completed a day’s strimming and taken delivery of a load of gravel, plywood, softwood studs and wood worm treatment.

Saturday was dry and sunny and a good day’s work unfolded directed by John who also kept us well fed and watered. Gravel was spread on a stretch of the country park section of the track; additional insulation was put in the loft above the hall and toilets; re-mastic pointing was done around the gable-end; a new roller blind fitted to the window above the new kitchen heater; and the task of fitting skirting and back to the kitchen units to prevent build-up of food for vermin started. There are now humidity/temperature meters throughout the hut and an Owl+USB smart meter was installed to help monitor demand on the electricity supply. There are some new blankets in the dormitories and, thanks to Jim, a new washing line outside (so there is no reason not to wash the tea towels) and a new shelf in the gent’s toilet.

See John’s list below for all the tasks completed. A few jobs were deferred to the next working meet and there are more on the list so volunteers for the weekend of 3^rd/4^th October would be much appreciate – one day’s work and one on the hill and a free night.

Sunday was again dry and sunny. Mark A and Lester headed off to Ogwen to climb (I’m sorry I don’t know the details). Dave Shotton and I went into the quarries where Dave led Quelle Surprise (F5a), up an interesting slabby ramp past 4 bolts and a bit run out to the lower off, and I led Seamstress (VS 4c) and Seams the Same (E1 5b). An instructor assessed my belay for the benefit of his two pupils education – fortunately I passed somewhere towards the belt and braces end of the scale!

Returning to the hut for lunch we came across Mark P just completing a circular run through the quarries and over Elidir Fawr. As we were leaving, to take in four routes at F5/5+ in blazing sunshine at Castle Inn on the way home, Jim and Sandy returned from a scramble up Llechog from the Pass. John spent the day strimming and carried on through Monday as well.

Thank you to all who came along for your hard work and company.

(Original photos by Dave Shotton.)

We have a fantastic hut which many of us enjoy but, of course, it doesn’t maintain itself. Our Hut Management Group do a great job managing Ty Powdwr for us but your help is needed to do those essential jobs that keep it in good repair.

John Castick has a list of tasks, inside and out, for the next working meet. You don’t need specialist skills, just a willingness to lend a hand with jobs, cleaning or catering.

A day’s work on Saturday buys you a free night at the hut and you’re free to climb on Sunday. Lunch and refreshments will be provided for the workers.

Please let me know if you plan to attend – you can email Colin.maddison@naturalengland.org.uk add your name to the ‘Intend to Attend’ facility on the website or call me on 07772611060.

Your support would be much appreciated.