Reading University Caving Club

In a flurry of organisation we are already sorted out for next term. Dates for your head:

Hidden Earth Caving Conference. Mendips. 23rd-25th September. See the new Speleolabs stand and Autumn collection.

Freshers Fayre 28th September. Go recruit – we already have the lollipops.

Slide Show 3rd October. Includes Nikki’s audio visual informational extravangza.

Freshers Trip 1 Derbyshire/Alton Towers trip 14th-16th October.

Freshers Trip 2 Mendips trip 4th-6th November. Usual mix of bonfires, halloween and cross dressing.

CHECC (YSS) 25th-27th November. 120 go mad in Yorkshire.

In addition, Charlotte is canvassing people for a possible trip to SWCC on the weekend of 30th-31st July.

On an unrelated note why didn’t we think of this?

This weekend RUCC went to South Wales and

– did inappropriate things with Dudley’s shop dummy;
– found a new use for a teapot;
– and staged an important historical re-enactment.

They also did some caving. Photos are available here.

In other news we have finally decided on a design for new club hoodies! Yes, the ru cavers 2? front and 50 reasons back has received the executive nod. We will initially be printing up 10 (I repeat, 10) only so the first people to press cash into my hand (£20 ish) will be the first ones to sport the new designs and have the best chance of being  demonised by the Daily Mail.

Finally, please remember that there is a Sweeneys trip tomorrow (8.30p.m.) hence no pub as normal. And Thursday is free chocolate and beer day.  Deep joy.

This weekend the caving club:

– Formed an Underground Duck Rescue Team and retrieved a distressed duck from the bottom of Jingling Pot

– Sent an RUCC Envoy to the 25th Austwick Cuckoo Festival. Our thanks go to Henry for representing the club at this important international event.

– Er, went to Blackpool and walked about a bit.

Photos of Jingling and the (un)fortuntate bird are here.

On a separate note I’ve had a brilliant idea for how we pull in more Freshers next year. It simply involves a quick rebranding of the club along these lines. Can’t fail. Also someone needs to make an executive decision on shirt designs…

This weekend we mostly:

-Learned group skipping
-Did some top bicycle stuntage
-Saw a woman pushing a dead Volvo with really round wheels

And did some caving. Some photos of the weekend (and some from Friday’s Beer Festival) are here. Thanks to Southampton for putting up with us, and stay peeled for some top T Shirt ideas…  Tickle it you wrigglers! I have no idea what this means.

Photos of last weekend’s trip are available here.

This weekend’s guest photographer: John W.

Our new super efficient committee have decreed forth. Top dates for your diary next term:

29th April – 1st or 2nd May. Bullpot Farm, Yorkshire – SRT trip. It’s the middle of nowhere. And then in a bit. Durham University Speleological Association have this virtual tour if you want more proof.

27th – 29th/30th May. YSS (last year’s fabled CHECC venue), Yorkshire – SRT trip

17th – 19th June SWCC (we’ve been there before, car park is very good for saucepan divining) Wales – non SRT trip

If you want to go on any of the trips let Charlotte know. We particularily need leaders for the first 2 trips as it seems some of you are going to be away!

Photos from this weekend are now here. There are also a select few from last month’s social event. I also have some unpublished photos of Henry Patton for anybody with ‘speciality interests’ out there. Price on application.

Our reporters will be covering the committee election results tonight so stay tuned in to see the results as they come in. There’s also been progress on the great RUCC junkyard sale. More to follow.

Photos of last weekend can now been found here. Taken by John K so don’t blame me. Photos page of the site has also been updated to reflect recent trips.

This weekend we:

– Learned how to play the digeridoo on a rainy Welsh hillside
– Were introduced to the ancient Welsh craft of saucepan divining
– Became more knowledgeable in the ways of the grape

And did some caving. Photographic evidence can be found here

As ever, if anyone wants decent copies let me know.

Merry Christmas. Looking forward, trips next term:

21st – 23rd January – Wales, staying at SWCC South Wales

4th – 6th February – Wales, staying in Wesminster South Wales

4th – 6th March – Mendips, Somerset, staying in Wessex SRT trip

Go on…. Book now to avoid disappointment – contact Nikki.