YSS NEWSLETTER December/January 2006
NUMBER 400
Nec te quaesiveris extra*
Aulus Persius Flaccus AD 34 - 62
DECEMBER / JANUARY 2006 ISSUE NO. 400
SCHOOL MEET DETAILS
December/January 2006
NOTE
Area’s are suggestions only, stay at the school but
cave where you want if you do not want to join the
organised trips, don’t not come just because the trip
sounds not too your liking, arrange you own!!
16 -17th December - School Meet.
16 - Rowten/ Kingsdale
17 - Nidderdale, so the wonders of Goyden , New Goyden, Manchester Hole and Eglin's Hole.
20-21th January 2007 School Meet and AGM
20 - Aquamole with AGM starting at 6.00pm
21- Recovering from hangovers so climbing MTB’s or
whatever you feel fit for!!
27-8th January 2007 School Meet
27 Notts pot - and for those not wanting big string
trips there is the pretties and engineering of Notts2.
28 Wharfedale possibly Redmire pot if kit and people can be arranged
LAST MONTHS TRIPS
November 2006
Last month saw some excellent
times had by both the cavers and
the walkers, with perhaps the
highlight a well attended social
weekend combined with a RRPC
fundraiser at the Helly. Beer,
Rock Music and a fine curry who
needs palaces when you have
this (Stuart A is the air guitar
king!!)
A big thank you to Colin and Jan
for producing a feast of a curry,
complete with poppadoms, onion
bhargees and dips, top effort.
Some good trips have been done,
including Long Kin West, Lancaster, as well as training in rescue
work ion the indoor wall in Ingleton.
The attempt to sort out a pushing
trip down rift has been washed
out by the weather and will be
revisited by the team concerned
during the classic cold winter of
07! (Hopefully)
WALKERS MEET
December 2006
No information has been submitted on any walking meets in December/January
If you wish to organise something please post on the YSS website Forum or alternatively call Alan SP8
REMEMBER YSS ANNUAL DINNER AND AGM.
20 JAN 2007
YSS NEWSLETTER December/January 2006
NUMBER 400
James Brooks who is a very familiar face to most people in the club is standing down from the Committee after years of effort to make the YSS run smoothly for the benefit of all of us. Thanks to James
for that, here he gives an impression of what it is like being part of the YSS Politburo (but we don’t
place radioactive pellets in your food if you don’t toe the party line!!)
Life on the Committee
It all started back in about 1995. I'd joined the club and quickly got involved in trips, built up my
personal kit and was thoroughly enjoying my new hobby of caving. After about a year or so Ian
Goodfellow (who I started caving regularly with shortly after joining the club and for many years
afterwards) and myself decided we'd wander along to one of these AGM things and see what it was
all about. Not sure exactly what happened but one of us must have said something or caught someone’s eye at the wrong moment and shortly after we had both been signed up for the committee as
"Keen fresh blood"
Back then I wasn't really sure what I was letting myself in for, or what I was meant to do - but that
didn't seem to matter too much. Serving my time as transport manager initially, I progressed through
and at various times got involved in Tackle, Meets and Training. Through these roles, and as a
young keen caver, these were great roles as it meant basically writing the calendar around your wish
list and getting to do a fantastic array of trips both near and far and having access to the kit to do it.
The club has done a lot over this time, and I definitely feel I have been a lot more involved and a part
of the club on the committee than I would have been as "just" a member. Over the years I've been
involved in numerous school and coach meets and the odd trip further afield to Wales and Scotland,
foreign holiday trips to Belgium, Ireland and France, training events at Leeds Wall and in the dales
Of course, more recently being part of the club expedition to the Berger in France. We've also passed
through 40 years of the club, had many good times and a few sad ones along the way.
Alongside this, as a committee, there are topics too numerous and wide to list which get brought up,
suggested or thrust on us. These all need to debated, voted on, actions taken, or whatever. These
range from the seemingly trivial to the complex - Charitable donations, Does the boiler need fixing
at the school ?, What do we do about Public Liability Insurance ?, Do we continue with the Coach
Meets ?, Major school expenditure, formal complaints. These all need something to be done, and
someone to do it, and at the end of the day it generally falls down to a small group - the committee.
They (we) are not experts at this, we have day jobs as well (well most of us do), and we do make
mistakes. But we try. We try to represent the best interests of the club as a whole. We try to be fair,
and we try to listen to everyone’s opinion. I know most of us don't join an outdoor club to get involved in politics, admin or committees. I know I didn't - I have enough of that through the day. But
a club of 135 people with the school as an asset, and undertaking the sports we do, does, as you can
appreciate, generate and require a certain amount of work. I guess the point of all this is to say that if
you are one of the 126non-committe club members, at least give a thought to coming to the AGM in
January. Give a thought to offering your time, and most importantly your enthusiasm, and joining
the committee. There are those on the committee that have been on long before I joined and no doubt
long after I've left - those that have come and gone briefly - and those that have dipped in and out:
They have all contributed in some way to the club we have today .It is not a job you generally get (or
ask for) a great deal of thanks for explicitly, but the rewards you get personally are worth the effort.
I will be bowing out after this year, and making room for someone else. There are nearly always
more vacancies than people willing to stand on the committee, so if you are in any way interested
please give it a go. You will need to turn up just once a month (currently a Tuesday night) for a
meeting of about 2 - 2.5hours, and then act on whatever is agreed at the meetings. It is not all plain
sailing and we have our fair share of disagreements as well as laughs. You will have a chance to
steer the way the club operates, get to know more people in the club and inevitably become more
involved in the club. I would recommend you at least give it a go. If you are still unsure just ask one
of the current committee members what it really entails.
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YSS NEWSLETTER December/January 2006
NUMBER 400
Following a trip down Rift Pot on the allotment as part of the pre-staging of a project down there
Stuart Anderson’s thoughts on the day and the internal and external perceptions of the team dynamic …Wet day, differing expectations and states of physical readiness, read on:
RIFT Part of Speech:
noun 2 Definition: difference Synonyms: alienation, breach, break, clash, disagreement,
division, estrangement, falling out*, misunderstanding, quarrel, rupture, schism, separation,
split
Jeez it’s too hot. Definitely feeling grumpy. Well I need a piss and it’s nearly time anyway, so what
the heck. No movement from anyone else yet. I’ll give them a few minutes. What time’s the big man
coming over? Chris said 10 am. Bit late. We should get up there sooner and do something…
Breakfast was to be at Ingleton. That had been decided the night before. We’d also decided that
we’d shop in town and communally cook tonight and tomorrow. Brings everything and everybody
together…
When they bloody well turn up…
Well according to the two sources we’re referring too the cave needs two completely different sets of
tackle!
Typical…
If we go off the ladder lengths and work with the SRT guide we won’t be short. Have to take plenty
of hangers as this isn’t a sport trip; this is the real deal. Anyway it all fits into two bags and it didn’t
take too long…
What are these covered in? It’s an excellent piece of storage but Alan’s going to be very cross with
us for all the bog roll we’re using to mop this oil up with…
Hi Rob. You don’t look too bad for someone who hasn’t seen the best side of his bed last night! Anyway, it’s all packed and racked and we’re raring to go…
Whaddya mean? You’ve forgotten what? But we need that rope. Aaagh…
Think! What have we got? Well the newish Mammut is more than long enough. We won’t be able to
leave it but hell, we’re not abandoning this project so early. This is a good plan and even if it’s late…
Got to stop faffing, it’s getting late…
So what does the guide say about the cave and water? Right. So this rain isn’t a good thing then?
Well if we get there, we can decide then. We’ll definitely be able to put some string in and maybe
dump some kit. Get to grips with it so to speak. Spare our legs for bringing the tanks. If we don’t like
it we can turn back, right?
We’d have been in and out if we’d got our arses into gear. Why so late? And the rain? We don’t
want to be in their in the rain! No way. Why isn’t anyone else showing reluctance? Why are we so
gung-ho!
Jamie’s sitting this out. He does right. Look, we’ll rig the first pitch, pop our heads into the second
and see what’s what. Keep an eye on the water and shout if it’s up. Good man. We’re off…
Right I’ll give it one last go. Stupid, fat, plastic fingers! Work you things I don’t care how cold it is and
tough if the hail and sleet mean you can’t see. This is the real deal, remember. Get a grip…
So what you’re saying is this trickle that is now a small waterfall down the entrance pitch wasn’t like
this the last time you came here and abandoned because it was too wet? We’re mad us aren’t we?
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YSS NEWSLETTER December/January 2006
NUMBER 400
We’ll be jolly well dead, idiot. Look, what I said about having to do something. It doesn’t count now;
this could get a bit serious. How many statistics start with a story of how no one would turn back? No
one could say no…
Shut up and get on with it! This is what you do; do it!
First pitch, then we’ll see. Don’t look for re-belays; there aren’t any. It’s only a trickle and J says it’s
laying off now…
Rope free guys. So where does it go Chris? Cheers Stu, but I felt a bit rusty. Need to get out more.
So up and over here eh? Where’s Rob off to? Yeah probably a right thing to do. We’ll be out soon.
Dump this kit and off…
I’ll push it until we run out of rope…
The hangers aren’t great here guys. If we’re going to transport kit over a period of time we may have
to think about getting a drill down here. This one isn’t in all the way and that one has no thread on it
what so ever… the real deal!
The rope rub doesn’t bother me ‘cos that boulder will slip and cut the blasted rope anyway! I’ll warn
them to be careful. Be cool about it; don’t sound like a tool. No one likes a knowitall…
So this slot is it then. Too short eh. It’ll be the intervening small sections of walking that screwed our
calculation up. Never mind. This was always going to be a foray anyway…
Get the drill. Make it safer…
Cool trip guys…
No, I mean it! 6 degrees plus wind chill! Let’s move…
It’s going to be a great project. But please, the jokes! Got to be funnier! Yeah tonight will be great;
food and drink. Just us lot. Really looking forward to it. Great mates…
No point in letting these things cause a rift eh...?
Ian Ball has sent the following thoughts on the usage of the school house , lets have more
comment on this so that after informed debate we can set the club in a direction that is democratically arrived at.
I joined the YSS because of the School House, its placement, facilities and the people you
can meet there and in the pub next door. If you take any of that away I think the club would
suffer.
All clubs need new members and I think a diverse use of the School house is a fantastic
way to promote the club and what it does to people of a similar ilk.
In the newsletter there is a concern about the wide use of the school on one page and the
benefits of such a policy on another in the cheap costs for us YSS members down in the
Mendip hills on the next.
I would rather be a member of a club actively promoting itself and the reason it exists than
a club where you have to be a member to know it is there at all.
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YSS NEWSLETTER December/January 2006
NUMBER 400
Proposed meets list 2007
Jan
Jan
Jan
21
27
28
Climbing/ MTB/wall
Leck Fell
Wharfedale
Notts
????
Feb
Feb
Feb
Feb
10
11
24
25
Nidderdale
Derbyshire
Derbyshire
Stump Cross
Goyden etc...
Titan / Peak
????
The new Meets Sec, (subject to
AGM ratification) is Chris T8, after
requesting trip ideas on the Website
and in lasts months newsletter here
is the first draft of the meets list he
has come up with.
Any comments, further suggestion,
offers to lead trips/act as coordinators please get in touch with
Chris he will be glad to hear from
Rumbling Hole
Ibbeth peril/Tub holes you.
Chris Tate 07796 265046
March 10
March 11
etc…
March 24
March 25
Leck Fell
Dentdale
Allotment
Kingsdale
Juniper Gulf
Rowten / Swinsto Simpson exchange
April
April
April
April
14
15
28
29
Easegill
Chapel le dale
Pipakin -Link
Meregill / Tatham wife
Providence - Dow through trip
Cherry tree hole
May
May
May
May
May
12
13
26
27
28
GG
Hurnell Moss
Penyghent Gill cave bashing
S Wales
S Wales
S Wales
OFD/ Aggy/ LNRC/Craig y Ffynion
June
June
June
June
9
10
23
24
Fountains Fell
Attermiere
Try a different sport weekend
Try a different sport weekend
Magnetometer / Echo / Gingling Hole
Have a cave finding day
diving, kayaking, climbing, mtb
Alan's digging trip
July
July
July
July
14
15
28
29
Presidents weekend
GG All routes!
Presidents weekend
Alum Diccan Exchange
Little Hull/ Hunt pot
Lakes Coach Trip pick up @school
Aug
Aug
11
12
Ireland
Ireland
????
????
Sept
Sept
Sept
Sept
8
9
29
30
Swaledale
Brough
Ingleborough
White Scar
????
Smelt Mill Beck
Beyond the Show cave
Beyond the Show cave
Oct
Oct
Oct
Oct
Oct
13
14
26
27
28
Leck / Marble steps
Red Moss
Mendips
Mendips
Mendips
Ireby & Marble steps
Nov
Nov
Nov
Nov
10
11
24
25
Newby Moss
Pillar Holes / Long kin West
Kingsdale
Bring a novice weekend/Training weekend/ Birkwith
Expand your novice's experience in Chapel le dale
Dec
Dec
8
9
Easegill
East Kingsdale
Eastwater/ Thrupe Lane
Swildons/Rhino Rift
County/ Lancaster exchange
Heron Pot / Brownhill
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Editors comment.
Chris has done a sterling job
sorting out a meets list for a
calendar without the monthly
coach meet.
There is an increased emphasis
on the use of the School house
as a base to cave from, and we,
after lasts years wander to
France, are going to even more
scary place like South Wales
and Mendip.
So get behind Chris and come
along or get actively involved in
the trip planning and organisation.
YSS NEWSLETTER December/January 2006
NUMBER 400
If you have anything to go in the next newsletter don’t be shy and get in touch
E-mail
[email protected]
Address 726 Manchester Road,
Milnsbridge, Huddersfield,
Phone
HD4 5SP
01484 644966
Rob and Kiri
Happy Christmas and a safe New Year full of adventures in the best way.
Rob and the Cat...see you soon and stay well.:-)
PS. ED bring your gear with you again when you come over for the
AGM!!!
*And don’t consult anyone’s opinions but your own
Young Chris T8 with a fine photo in Easegill, shame about the subject in the shot
but the pretties look good!
Think you can do better the email or disc to me at the address above. Every picture used gets a free...OK when we have t-shirts or mugs or whatever again I can
give stuff away until then it is just the glory, so getting pixelling!!
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