MKMC 2020 AGM Chair’s Report

Thank you Louie for nominating me to be on the committee last year.  Also thank you COVID for spoiling our fun!  However, as much as we’ve all missed our trips and usual life this year I have noticed how much members have come together and connected in many ways due to the fact that so much was taken from us in 2020.  Some of us have been on trips, some have climbed, some have done mountaineering, some have done fantastic challenges, so it hasn’t all been negative.  There’s been a strong community in the club and I hope we can soon breathe a sigh of relief and start looking forward to next year.

Highlights of this year include December 2019’s Christmas meet in Fallcliffe Cottage in the Peak District, the hut was superb.  My whole family was made to feel very welcome and Christmas dinner was amazing, even without Kent’s expertise, the club spirit was very high.  In January 2020 we had our annual Burns meet, and again I was delighted that this trip was so popular and the list was full, including members we don’t see very often and new members.  It was lovely that so many of us came together and had a wonderful weekend.  The jigsaw puzzle entertained most of us, everyone must have had a turn, all working together putting in pieces and it was finished in record time.  There were four different groups and activities on the Saturday, climbing, scrambling, walking, running.  Then in February we went up to the Yorkshire Ramblers hut, just as Storm Dennis began.  Despite Dennis we all climbed Ingleborough as the winds and rain got stronger and stronger.  It was horrible weather but a delight to be out in it with lovely like-minded people.  Sadly Louie’s March trip had to be cancelled – well postponed, because we still plan to do it when COVID allows us to be out again.  I’ve been delighted that members have been out climbing, even on old railway bridges!  We’ve had members traverse the Cuillin Ridge, the Glyder Ridge and do multi-pitch climbs in North Wales.  Members have gone to a lot of effort arranging outings despite what’s been happening in the world.  We’ve discovered Zoom and have had a few social evenings and committee meetings on it.

So now we need to start planning activities for 2021 and we hope to see more hut and camping trips.  I’m planning to take Lexi to EBC next year, anyone is welcome to join us.  I hope there will be other big trips in which we can all participate.