Sadly, the designated meet leader Paul, still recovering from his recent Covid booster jab, was unable to lead this walk, so 7 of us gathered at 10am in Laughton-en-le-Morthen for this un-recced walk in unfamiliar territory, with the understanding that deviations/getting lost were a distinct possibility. But with the help of the book description [from Walking in South Yorkshire by Rob Haslam], 2 maps, a phone GPS map, a compass and the sun, we somehow managed to find our way successfully round the described route. An initial footpath through giant cabbages and several fields led us to King’s wood and the stepping stones by Roche Abbey. As recommended in the book, we took the footpath encircling the abbey ruins, [looking particularly photogenic bathed in sunlight] and stopped for a coffee break, entertained by some nearby drone antics. Leaving by the gatehouse, we entered the wooded valley of Maltby Dike, before later emerging into open grassland towards the guiding church spire of Maltby. After a brief visit here, we crossed the footbridge and ascended steps towards Hooton Levitt, with a stop for lunch in bright sunshine. Leaving the houses behind, there were unexpected and dramatic views to the north, before more fields to join Tunwell Lane. Here lies ‘what must be the most redundant Trig. point in Britain, standing forlorn and forgotten in the middle of the hedge, at the dizzying height of 150m above sea level and on flat ground’! This provided a photo opportunity for a gymnastic Ali and helper Leon [see the walkers WhatsApp]. With Laughton church now visible, the remainder of the walk was very easy, passing along quiet lanes through Brookhouse and back to the start, with another brief diversion to the church yard to complete the day [and all before 2.30pm!] Thank you all for your much-appreciated assistance with map reading and signpost/footpath spotting – it made the whole day very enjoyable and much less stressful than it might have been.
Vanda Boyd

A fair group joined this walk which prowled over Carr Head Rocks, N. Lees Hall, the mill pond, Outseats, Buck Stone, Bamford Moor and Stanage Edge. Including historical points of interest from Neolithic to the 20th Century. Culminating in a wonderful sunset from Stanage, which we sat and watched for ten minutes. Ward would have approved. Others may provide pictures. Geoff.

10 people set out in clear but windy weather with forecast of a dry day. Four aircraft crash sites were visited. A Heyford bomber which crashed in 1937, a Hampden bomber dating from 1942, an Oxford trainer which crashed in 1945 and an American Thunderbolt fighter which came down in 1943.
The very strong NW wind made for hard going at times and created a need to keep moving which limited the extend we could linger at the crash sites. Despite this we achieved what we intended and hopefully people gained some knowledge of the human stories behind the crashes.
Thanks very much for your company everyone and for a really good day
Gordon

Sue and Chris started the weekend on the Friday with a 15 mile walk and Paul reccying the start of Lockwoods chimney. Saturday saw six of us Matt, Rosy, Paul, Leon, Kyle and myself do the enjoyable snakes and ladders around dinorwic quaries, the goats not really wanting to share their dry huts with us. We met up with Pete and Jane at his cafe, they having been climbing at the indoor wall at Caernarfon. Chris and Sue did another walk upto he Llambaris Pass. We had a very sociable evening around the fire pit outside Chris’s Motorhome. Sunday saw the Saturday party trying to tackle Lockwoods Chimney but did something slightly different but none the less entertaining. Matt and Rosy stayed on for the Monday for more fun. An excellent weekend thanks to all who came. Bill

Congratulations to Gemma for all the hard work, enthusiasm and great organisation, which resulted in such a successful New Members Weekend. At Awesome Walls on Friday 17th September, eleven members were there to welcome and then climb with nine or ten potential new members.
After a slightly damp start on Sunday, a much larger gathering was eventually blessed with sunshine and blue skies. A total of eighteen members were there, offering a warm welcome and practical expertise to those who perhaps hadn’t climbed outside before, but they were soon seconding on various grades of climb. Some of these potential new members showed such natural skill [and enviable strength and flexibility!] that they were encouraged to do some leading for the first time. So lots of very happy, satisfied people with smiling faces, many of whom I’m sure will want to join our great club.
So well done Gemma!
Vanda

We had an enjoyable , productive and well attended meet. Vanda counted 17 members spread across three buttresses who enjoyed routes graded D to HVS and a good catch-up chat. Showers threatened during the day but missed us closely until 3.45pm when the heavens opened leaving Linda with a damp, gear clearing pitch. Happy Birthday Paul, not a bad way to spend your birthday! Mark Proctor.

Eight of us went to Chew and did fine climbs on Dovestones Edge, in the fine weather. Six were new to Chew, and want to go again. Maybe for a weekend. Pictures were taken – which may appear elsewhere. Welcome to new member, Richard.

Had a good time, at not the Dovestones Edge meet. Ended up at Birchens, watched big heavy rain showers just miss us.
Did crouch under an overhang during a short sharp rain shower early on. All decided our own pop up cafe under Emma’s dilemma was very pleasant, and amazingly the rock dried in 20 minutes and so lots more routes were bagged.
Excellent turnout, especially considering the forecast. The thunder and lightning echoed around, by mid afternoon, so we scuttled away , gear dry. The roads back were as bad as the one up to Tigne today, on Le Tour!
Thanks to all for some fun and good routes. Linda.

What a stunning location for the club’s first away meet since the start of the pandemic, at Dalesbridge campsite, Austwick. Members stayed for varying lengths of time, some [not seen for months/years] for only one night, but a total of 35 people in all, as well as three dogs, one horse and a parrot [yes, really! – thank you Gordon]. There was climbing at Twistleton Scars and Pot Scar, and cycling on quiet roads [and discovering the best scones ever apparently] and horse riding for one. The Friday walk north of Austwick took in glacial erratics and limestone pavements [so lovely to be in such different scenery from the Peak District]. Saturday’s walk included wild swimmimg for two at Stainforth Force, and on Sunday, 14 of us explored Yordas cave in Kingsdale, followed by watching the local Cave Rescue team competently dealing with an injured motor-cyclist out on the moors, some distance from the nearest tarmac road.
On the campsite, members’ ‘accommodation’ varied from tiny tents [for the oldest members!] to campervans, motorhomes and a caravan. But nothing could compete with the Presidential palace, of a carpeted blow-up tent, with electrical hook-up for the essential fridge and heater!
Culinary delights over the weekend, included a Saturday night BBQ and a variety of excellent tarts/cakes from the boulangerie in Austwick [all made locally by the French chef]. But the prize has to go to the couple who cooked almost the full English breakfast without leaving their sleeping bags.
Thank you everyone for your various contributions to making it such a great meet – I’m only sorry that Paul Gibson, the meet organiser was unable to be there.
Vanda Boyd