Page 5 - 2000 AMA Summer

EDITORIAL
By SSgt Steve Willson
What a year so far! There have been highs and lows for the AMA in this new millennium The low point came, for me, in a phone call from one of Allison Willoughby's sons informing me that she had passed away. Allison's obituary is below.
As for high points we have been swamped with success in the greater ranges over the last few months. John Doyle and Ady Cole topped out on Kangchenjunga after an outstanding team effort lead by Comd Steve Jackson of the RNRMMC. An article and photos have been squeezed in at the last minute for your enjoyment, it can be found just before the centre fold. Soon after 22 SAS made a successful ascent of Mt Everest after a great deal of hard work and perseverance. I will try and get hold of an article from them for the next journal. Will Manners also topped out, with a small team, on the challenging Mt Logan in Canada and their story will also be in the next edition.
As I sit writing another large project has just taken its first steps is the shape of AMA Alps 2000.1wish Mac McKay and all the other climbers the best of luck and I look forward to hearing of their experiences in the roof of Europe. And don t forget that they intend to produce a book of all the routes on the 4000m peaks they climb.
Talking of books, Bronco Lane's book ‘Military Mountaineering’ was released on the 18 Jul at the RGS The book will be reviewed in the next journal and an order form will be in the next newsletter. As you can imagine AMA members and their exploits fill the pages of this historical publication.
This leads me nicely on to my favourite subject, articles for the journal. As you read through this edition I think you will pick up on the two styles of article present. One that tells you what the climbers did, where they did it, and if they got to the top and the other that it not so much about climbing but about ‘life as a climber.’ There is a place for both types of article, but the latter are the ones that catch the readers' interest. I am often asked by AMA members that are writing an article, 'What style should it be in?' My answer is, write about how 'you' felt and what ‘your’ experiences were. We are not all fearless superstars that climb the World s highest mountains and hardest routes but we do all share a common love of the thrill of climbing and hill walking. So however you get your kicks let us all read about them by putting pen to paper, or should that be finger to key? Once you have taken that leap of faith and produced some material please send it to me at:
SSgt Steve Willson, 8 BFS, 29 Cdo Regt Wksp REME, Royal Citadel, Plymouth PL1 2PD Tel: 01752 236099
Finally, before you get stuck into your reading, I have to let you know about the AMA Annual Weekend. It's going to be a gathering to remember at JSMTC between 22 - 24 Sept 00. See the newsletter and flyer for details. I'll see you there!
ALLISON WILLOUGHBY
1939 - 2000
In the last edition of lArmy Mountaineer a tribute was paid to Allison Willoughby on her retirement as our Membership Secretary and she was thanked for all she had done for the Army Mountaineering Association over many years. She had our good wishes for a happy retirement and a speedy return to full
health.
Sadly this was not to be. She died in February. The affection in which she was held and the appreciation for all that she had
done was clearly evident by the attendance at her funeral of our President, Chairman, Vice Chairman and several of our members.
Allison Carter, as she was then, first became involved with the AMA at the end of 1973, twenty seven years ago, as MembershipSecretary, when the Army Sports Control Board moved fromthe Old War Office in London to
Aldershot. She later also took on the duties as Treasurer. As the years passed and our membership increased so did her workload. She accepted this willingly and always seemed to have a soft spot for the AMA. She soon became our indispensable point of contact and devoted more and more of her time to us. She attended Committee Meetings regularly and was always happy to travel to North Wales to attend meetings there.
By now she had remarried and become Allison Willoughby as most of our members will have known her. Much of the work she did for us was carried out voluntarily in addition to her main job as accountant for the Army Sports Control Board, an appointment she had also held for twenty seven years.
Allison was a strong character who did not tolerate fools gladly. She was always ready to help our younger members but, quite rightly, got angry with them if they took her for granted or did not treat her with the respect she deserved. Having made her point, she would become their friend. She became important as our continuity person as officials and Committee Members came and went.
It was clear at her funeral just how much she was loved and appreciated by her large devoted family. We send them our sincere condolences and join with then in mourning the loss of a close friend who had worked so hard and shown such devotion to the Army Mountaineering Association over many years.
Cheers Steve Willson
Arinv Mountaiueer 3