From the Belfry Table
I start by wishing all members and their partners a happy
New Year 1997!
A further welcome to two new members, Ben Ogboume, and
Jeremy Dixon-Wright, both of whom, fresh from Wells Cathedral School, are off
to Imperial College and Manchester Universities respectively. Hopefully in turn they will encourage
further new members!
Alex Gee has presented the Committee with an interesting
"Discussion Document" Which follows on the AGM theme of New members
and what can be done to attract them to the BEC.
Hopefully Alex will publish this letter in the BB. Here is a
valid point, we must all try to come up with workable suggestions on this, or
better still, each one of us should try to introduce at least one new young
prospective member to the Club. All
caving clubs appear to be in the membership doldrums at this time, but as we
embark upon our next sixty years, let us at least try. Abusing a well known expression, "It
will have been better to have tried, and not to contemplate failure, than not
to try at all."
Five Buddles Dig:" Not such a sylvian scene", more
a sinking feeling? Jayrats valiant
efforts to open cast the Miners Arms to Hunters road are progressing well. Tony has just effected some smoke tests
between this site and the Forestry Dig, I suspect the fumes were more correctly
attributed to a motor car being swallowed down into his netherworld as it drove
past the dig! Seriously careful where
you park!
The Christmas mail brought a cheerful newssheet from Bob
& Mariyka Hill and family. They are
now living in Gabon, and mail can be sent via: "Mr. & Mrs R P& M
Hill, Shell Gabon, ODE/12, P.O Box 10235, London, SWI9 3ZN. They send their regards to all who remember
them, and extend an open invite for "An African Experience".
On behalf of the BEC, can I also thank several Life members
and most especially Merv Hannam for their (and his) most generous donation to
club funds recently received.
The Belfry will be CLOSED From Sunday 19th. to Saturday
25th. January 1997, in order to effect a major revamp and tidy-up of the
Hut. No caving or use of the Hut will be
available during this period. I have
been told that Alpine Bunks are now the rage, and that you all want them, and
so the Female bunk-room which has doubled as a members bunk room for several
years is to be demolished, thereby creating one large bunkroom. I ask, is this Deja' vous?
Committee Meeting Dates for 1997 will be at 8.00pm, on the
First Friday of each month. No departure
from this schedule is planned.
Unfortunately Rob Harper has resigned his post as Club
Rescue Team Leader, and accordingly, if you are interested or can suggest
someone else who fancies this position, please advise Hon. Secretary so it can
be discussed at the next available meeting!
Similarity, Chris Smart has stated his intension not to
stand again as Treasurer, so interested parties should make known their
interest now. Please take both of these
notices as the" Official Club Notice"!
Jake-the-Rake? Well,
Jake of Barrow rake dig, reports with misty eyes that his dig is going! Well, at least it is going down the dip, but
perhaps the application of Dr. Nobels Linctus is the main culprit?
Regards, Nig. Taylor, Hon. Sec. 12th.January 1997.