Page 6 - 2023 AMA Spring

AMAHQ
EDITOR’S
FOREWORD
Mark Gregory
It is with some sadness (and consid- erable frustration) that I hear of the recent High Court decision not to
protect our right to camp on Dartmoor (see hot topics from social media).
As a young hiker, Dartmoor was where I broke-in my first pair of Scarpa, where I conquered Ten Tors, where I was introduced to this wild and magnificent landscape, where I briefly floated with the idea of Dartmoor Letter Boxing, and where I spent many nights under the stars (and cloud) with childhood friends and eventually my Father. I look back on these days, some 20+ years ago, and realise that I had taken this freedom for granted. It was my “right”
and I exercised it! It was just something I did. What is particularly frustrating about this unsavoury affair is that the complainant, a Common’s land owner, was one of the first to sign up to the fledgling permissive scheme which therefore begs the question: what is the point of it all, except to prove a point? As unpalatable as it may be, the proposed £300 pay-out per landowner who volunteers for the permissive camping scheme at least binds their commitment and shows that the National Park Authority is looking for other ways to protect that right. There is certainly more to come as this saga carries on, and I wish DNPA my fullest support as they challenge the High Court decision.
MEMBERSHIP
SECRETARY
FOREWORD
After the delivery of each journal edition, I receive phone calls and emails from members who have not received their copy.
This is usually due to members’ details not being correct or up-to-date in our database. Unfor- tunately, a member calling the office or emailing me is the only way I am able to update such information and so I rely on you letting me know.
If I am informed, I can make any changes necessary to the details we hold such as your home address and e-mail etc.; all you need to do is drop me an e-mail to the address below.
Alternatively, you can log in to your Tahdah account and make the relevant changes yourself. If you require any assistance with your Tahdah account please let me know. Furthermore, if you have any additional Tahdah accounts (MT, MTA, AMI), I am able to get these merged so that you only need to log in once.
Emma Pritchard
If you have any questions, concerns or anything at all please contact me on 01248 718364 or Mil 95581 7964 or by e-mail to secretary@army mountaineer.org.uk
The office hours are Monday to Thursday 9am to 15.45pm
MOUNTAINEERING UPDATE
Al Mason, Vice-Chairman (Mountaineering)
AMA Mountaineering is always looking for AMA members to volunteer to organise expeditions of any kind. If you wish to help the AMA then assistance in the form of advice, paperwork and money will be available to you.
Currently the AMA hopes to deliver an Alps expedition in Summer 2023 followed by a Winter Meet in 2024, along with an ice climbing expedition around a similar time. All this relies on the participation of willing volunteers. Perhaps you could be one of those?
DIARY
2023
Applications will go out via Tahdah to all AMA members with administration instructions posted to Defence Connect. Please ensure you have opted in to receive these emails.
MEETS
21-23 APR 23
LAKE DISTRICT
White Horse Inn
12-14 MAY 23
NORTH WALES
Nuffield Centre
23-25 JUN 23
YORKSHIRE DALES
The Old School Bunkhouse
07-09 JUL 23
PEAK DISTRICT (SOUTH)
The Roaches Bunkhouse
22-24 JUL 23
PEAK DISTRICT (NORTH)
Thorpe Farm Bunkhouses
TBC SEPT 23
LUNDY (SEA CLIFF CLIMBING)
TBC SEPT 23
NORTH WALES (MEET & AGM)
Nuffield Centre
13-15 OCT 23
WYE VALLEY
YHA Wye Valley
JOURNAL SUBMISSIONS
SPRING 2023
1 Feb 23
SUMMER 2023
1 Jun 23
AUT/WINTER '23
1 Oct 23
6 / ARMY MOUNTAINEER
WWW.ARMYMOUNTAINEER.ORG.UK