Bank Holiday weekend - more going on than you could shake your (hazel) stick at! - by PCW

"We made our own entertainment in them days", might have been written for last weekend. Scroll down to discover what a host of club members got up to - and that's just the things I know about!

AGM - ok let's get this bit over quick. Not everyone's favourite, but an essential part of Club life as it underpins much of the rest of the fun stuff. Suffice it to say that we got through business pretty quick - about 50 of you showed up. Amongst other things:

Welcome to new Committee members:
Rachel Coulson and Christiane Michel who will be assiting Andy Freem and getting to know the ropes. Hayley Meredith is taking over OFD Permits, big thanks to Janine Graham for a great job, largely unseen. Vince Allkins is taking over the Rescue Liaison role, again thanks to Pete Hobson for his work. Claire Vivian is formally on board as Meets Sec, something she has been doing anyway for a while.
The rest of us are in roles as before - see here. Please get in contact about anything at all.

Hut fees and Subscriptions have been increased a bit, due to inflation and increased costs. Your subs are due now. Please pay early and claim your discount!

Some important streamlining and clarifying of the Constitution was explained by Jem Rowland and was voted through. Thanks to Jem and his advisors for a lot of detailed work.

We are reducing the Provisional Member's rate to £10 for this year to try to attract new members, and will be focussing on our visiting student groups to encourage that age group to join up.

The Ceilidh - was another barn-storming success, 4 hours of dancing, leaping about and stripping the willow backwards. With thanks going out all over the shop, but mainly to Lel for organising along with her "we are not Dragons!" cooking team (the Eaton Mess especially, was to die for), and the amazing Bear Band yet again.

Caving - many folk disappeared in different directions looking cleanish, and returned later looking grubby. Two trips of note were: James Hallihan (9) went to The Columns ably guided and roped by his safety advisors Claire V and PCW while his father made a video. Ben Vaughan (13) bottomed Pwll Dwfn on SRT, with Jo White rigging and Jeff Wade de-rigging. Well done all. (pics by Piers Hallihan and Jeff Wade)

Sitting outside - it was warm enough - with the sun out - to be outside in the most pleasant SWCC ritual of tea and biscuits with dogs (various) underneath waiting for crumbs.

Dowsing - hazel twigs and twirly metal rods were in evidence and even some sceptics were won over as Ian Alderman's kept bashing him on the forehead as he passed over drains or passage.

Kid's auction - our smaller members Arily R, Arwen H, Emily M, James H and Tomos G had produced some very colourful artwork and installations that would amaze the Tate. One of the best was "waterproof boat". Pete Francis worked his usual magic on the assembled adults, and around £60 was made for their "Jenny's Charity" (Myeloma UK). A great result!

Singing - Sunday evening heard a full-throated rendition of much of the Penwyllt Song Book. Tim Lewingdon had cameras and recorders dotted about the place, and is going to produce an edited version for internal consumption. He's asked me to thank everyone for such a great turnout - long live tradition!

Plunging - We cavers are nothing if not down-to-earth, and Brian is to be commended for dealing with a threatening effluent situation with gusto and a strategically placed safety-chair.

Working week is soon - by Chris Grimmett

A final reminder that it is the Club's Working Week from the bank holiday weekend of 25th/26th May through to the following weekend June 1st/2nd.

The project list for 2013 is a long and complicated one and we need all the help we can get to make it happen. The main focus will be the complete revamp of the Gents toilets and bathroom in Cottage No.8. In addition, the rest includes:

~ All the usual sorting out of everything that has broken in the past year
~ Disposal of all the rubbish so generously dumped at the Club by Members and others
~ Repairs to our effluent arrangements
~ Plugging up leaks in the roof
~ Fitting of some energy saving equipment
~ Work on the water supply
~ Yet more painting

The work in No 8 will cause major disruption in the lobby area, affecting movement around the cottages, and Duty Officer operations. The schedule is a tight one and we will be working right through the second weekend to complete the job and we really need a gang of ready volunteers. We always need some additional help from new arrivals at the end of the week as by that time we are all nearly exhausted and your input then would be really useful.

If you would like to put something back into your Club by taking part in the Working Week, please contact Chris Grimmett estate@swcc.org.uk

News from the Tackle Store - by Piers Hallihan

Dynamic climbing rope - To go with the Club's new climbing routes (in the party quarry), we have in the store 2 dynamic climbing ropes (a 20m and a 30m). They are quite distinct from the caving ropes as they’re bright green and clearly marked “DYNAMIC – SURFACE ONLY”.

They’re available for any Club member to use but I would ask that users be particularly diligent in logging and reporting any falls or damage – especially leader falls. At the moment, there are no plans for the Club to hold stocks of hardware. Climbers will need to supply their own quick draws and other gear.

Drill batteries - Thanks to all the diggers and bolters who responded to my request for information about the Club's batteries. As a result, I’ve identified a number of dead or dying batteries. One or two I managed to repair over the AGM weekend but most have had to be removed. Replacements are being sourced but, for a short while, the Club is very short on drill batteries. If you’re planning on doing any drilling over the next few weeks, you may need to make alternative arrangements.

SWCC : 1-10 Powell St : Penwyllt : Pen y Cae : Swansea : SA9 1GQ
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