Page 33 - 2001/02 AMA Winter

AMAAnnualWeekend2DD1ByTim Bird
During the final weekend of September over 93 AMA members joint together at JSMTC Indefatigable at the annual weekend. The end event started on Thursday with people arriving to enjoy the last of the Indian summer, many good routes and
quality mountain days were logged on Friday while the committee met in the afternoon.
By Friday night the majority of people were beginning to arrive having finished work. Because of renovation work to the main bar at indefatigable an impromptu Bar was set up in the main foyer. When everybody had gone to bed by half past 12,1turned to look at the half full fridge and wondered whether I would sell enough to break-even.
Saturday breakfast saw around 90 mountaineers Old young and younger still, organising themselves in order to catch the good weather before it finally deteriorated as forecasted. By half past nine the last of the late risers were just leaving the gates, packed lunches in hand. During Saturday, 11 members were escorted into the hills by he experienced AMA members. Their activities ranged from hill walking to rock climbing and also specific rock coaching prior to a rock leader assessment!
By 1745 most of the members had been to the Bar at least once and were assembled in the main lecture already for the AGM. A pre- AGM presentation followed given by myself, this outlined the major events of the year and provided photographs and a light hearted look at the year just gone and plans for the future. After this the AGM followed chaired by Brigadier Nick Cottam, and an hour later the committee had been redesigned the chairman became the President and the Vice Chairman became the Chairman in line with the other services’ mountaineering associations. A barbecue was served at 8 o’clock and entertainment followed into the early hours of the morning. One of the highlights for the evening included the Communications Officer, Andy Parsons, beating out his message from another position as drummer with the performing band. During the evening some of the Bangor association members
arrived and many JSMTC staff too bringing the total to around 115 members. It was great to see so many friends, old and new, having a good time together. I needn't have worried about the fridge, I had to refill it on at least four occasions!
After Saturday comes Sunday, after the calm comes the storm, volunteers were asked to track down and recover the barbecue tent. The tent, which was doing laps of the garden in the wind, was duly recovered and the building was put to rights before breakfast had finished. In light of a poor and deteriorating weather pattern most had decided that the bouldering competi­ tion was the best option. Thanks to Bangor fire service for turning on the hoses spot-on time. JSMTC has its own indoor climbing wall, which is staffed by a local climbing shop, called the Great Arête. Anna, the Manageress, and her team hosted 35 com peti­ tors for an informal bouldering competition. An hour and a half later, and with some dodgy climbing, dodgy marking, and some even dodgier adding up three people had won prizes; not nec­ essarily in the right order.
Here in the correct order to avoid confusion,
AMA Organization
By Major Martin Ba/ire, Chairman AMA ^
external organizations. The normal routes for communication in and out of the Association are shown. You may wish to note those on the Grants Sub-committee: Vice Chairman, Expeditions Adviser and Treasurer.
AMA Committee Members have found these diagrams helpful: it is hoped that the broad membership will also find them useful to explain the structure and work of the AMA. Questions should be directed to any Committee Member.
Ihe two charts that follow portray the General Committee will meet once per year, revised structure of the Army prior to the AGM, while the Executive Mountaineering Association, based on Committee will normally meet a further the Constitution that was approved at three times. The three sections (titled
the 2001 AGM.
The first diagram shows the internal elements of the AMA. It aims to distinguish between the two committees: the larger
AMA ORGANIZATION - INTERNAL
Mountaineering, Sport Climbing and Communications) represent the main areas of activity in the Association. The second diagram aims to set the AMA in a wider context, by showing the major links to
First place Second place Third place First Female
Mark Stevenson - another chalk bag for your trouble,
Steve Blake - Originally given 3rd, oops sorry Steve
Mike Smith - Originally placed 2nd, Steve Blake originally 3rd oops sorry Steve
Rachel Kelsey - Well done (By absolutely miles !)
p.s. Mike put a skirt on you might win something!
During this time the photographic competition prizes were handed out, and by 3 o’clock the last survivors from the weekend were thinking of home. Eight people stayed on Sunday night topping off a fantastic weekend.; Kevin Edwards has taken over as the meets co-ordinator, thanks to all of you who have been there when asked to help and support for the last five years. Thank you again to everyone who attended, I thoroughly enjoyed the weekend as well, hope to see you all again next year.
( ARMY MOUNTAINEER 31