Reading University Caving Club 
Fantastic news! If you go into Google and type in ‘speleoporn’ you get one result!
This is definitely something we can impress other clubs with at CHECC. My work here is done.
Updates and Assorted Excitement
NEWS UP:
1) HIDDEN EARTH is on 23-25 September (the weekend after next). Numerous RUCC emissaries will be in attendance, not least me & John K, together with several wrinkly old past members such as Andy Rumming & Old Man Foord. Lifts will be available (cars, not alternatives to stairs), and its camping (tents, not mincing). This is your chance for a knees up and an eyes down on caving related stuff. Lots of other clubs will be there and Andy & I also promise to look stupid and behave strangely for the duration of the event.
2) T SHIRTS & HOODIES ARE AT THE PRINTERS! Only 12 of each are due initially, with a fair chunk already promised to beautiful people. If you are interested please let me/John K know.
3) As an extra incentive to use the forum we are running a fantastic competition! Following on from the gripping ‘Who’s Pants’ debate we present ‘Name That Word!’
How it works: The forum is set up to replace certain words with others automatically. Register, enter one of these words, notice the change, tell us what it is and you could win one of the following toptastic prizes:
– A limited edition Speleolabs Precision Hydration Receptacle!
– An electric bubble maker!
– Enough Fruity Pops to kill a small horse!
Your clue for this evening: What is the link between Sir Walter Raleigh & Boney M? If no one gets it more clues will inevitably be posted on the forum over time for the hard of understanding. Go Play!
New Experimental Forum
We are currently experimenting with a chat type forum. Click here (or on the link to the left) and let us know what you think. It will improve over time, but have a look, post some thoughts and let us know.
We’ve only done this cos Kent have one. Except I’ve just checked and theirs doesn’t work. (Un)moderated by John K by the way so don’t blame me. The usual comments type stuff on this main page will also continue to work.
I’m On A Glacier…
News from Henry in the North Pole. And a photo of him on a glacier.
A Marketing Bonanza
As we’re being strangely organised this year we’ve already sorted out posters for next year. Rather than doing just the one, we’ve been overcome with creativity and produced nine. Take your pick. They are all available for viewing and downloading in the resources section. They open in a new browser windown, but right click to download. Please post them wherever you want to.
P.S the ruder ones are down to John K.
Furtive Excavation Roundup
And we’ve have gotten away with it if it wasn’t for that pesky local newshound….
Review of the Year
Here’s a list of places, caves and pubs what we have frequented over the past year, as compiled by John K. We appear to have been quite busy.
Looking Far Ahead…
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?
End of Year Bash
To round of the year yesterday we went to Cadbury’s World and spent the junkyard sale proceeds. A few photos are here. Thanks to John K for driving/organising and Charlotte for the idea.
There’s also a few photos taken by John W here – includes the last Wales and Yorkshire weekends and CHECC. The climatic moments of last year’s CHECC Beer Pong are here.
If anyone has any particularly good photos from the past year could you please let me have them as things are about to be sorted out for next year.
On a separate note, if anyone is still around bear in mind that the rather good WOMAD festival is on in Reading this summer. There are plans to go on Friday 29 July (me, John/Lisa/Anna, Andy/Esther). Tickets are discounted from £30 to £11.50 with a Passport to Leisure.
Finally, have a good summer. It’s been a good year…
South Wales June 2005
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.