The BMC offices are coming to a close and a new exciting year is around the corner. If you’re wondering what we’re up to in 2016 then read on for our quick recap of this year and a peek at our peak-plans for next year.
Peak puns aside – and we’ve got a mountain of them (d’oh) – we here at the BMC would like to wish you all a very merry Christmas and a happy new year. We’re about to draw a line under 2015 and look forward to making waves in 2016, but before we do, let’s take a look at what made this year so exciting for us and why we think next year is going to be even more of a blast.
Back in the earlier months of the year, the Nepal earthquake dominated headlines in the media around the world and also had the BMC rushing to act. The BMC’s insurance team scrambled to make sure any of our members in the area were well looked out for and brought home safely, much like with
BMC member Sharna King’s story , while others in the BMC acted quickly to make sure British mountaineers lent their support to Nepal; leading to the BMC raising £25,000 in its earthquake appeal, which it presented to Doug Scott at the Kendal Mountain Festival.
After the dust settled in Nepal, the BMC was the
first insurer to provide cover for those wishing to return to Nepal for tourism, trekking or to help with rebuilding. The work that went in to reacting to this catastrophe really highlights what the BMC stands for and how it makes a real difference.
Elsewhere, the BMC’s attention was turned more inwards as it underwent a restructuring in 2015.
Dave Turnbull, chief executive officer of the BMC, said: “The BMC is continuing to do all it has done before to support climbing, hill walking, and the outdoors, but at the same time we are also adapting and modernising to make sure we stay relevant in the future.
“The creation of BMC TV a couple of years ago was one of our first steps in the BMC’s digital drive to connect with new people next year. “
WATCH the trailer for award-winning Operation Moffat on BMC TV
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The look and feel of the BMC is undergoing a revamp to keep up with the times. It will be refreshed by the results of a report on its branding, which is likely to lead to an exciting new logo and a revitalised feel for the organisation. But don’t worry; we’ll still be doing all we’ve done before to support the community.
It really was all change this year, as the BMC Access and Conservation Trust recruited six new trustees and a new chair to shift its focus forward to the future. Furthermore, the BMC continues to keep abreast of digital developments by creating a new Marketing and Communications team to maintain and expand its online presence in a bid to connect with a larger audience and hopefully young people too.
Furthering this is the hiring of top British trad climber and BMC ambassador James McHaffie as the newly appointed BMC Youth and Partnerships Officer. James will be tasked with supporting the next generation and making sure that young people continue to be able to enjoy the outdoors.
Meanwhile, people from underrepresented groups will also benefit from the hiring of our new Equity and Partnerships Officer, Joanna Rowbottom. It’s hoped Joanna will continue the BMC’s important work in supporting the #ThisGirlCan campaign, the BMC Equity Symposium in the Peak District, and the BMC Disability Symposium.
Dave Turnbull said: “We’re hoping the new staff and fresh look will lead the BMC to new lofty heights in its support of the community; particularly young people, women and hill walkers.”
It was nice to see the BMC receiving some
recognition for its work too, as it won a “Highly Commended” award for “Campaigner of the Year” in The Great Outdoors Awards. We’re confident this shows the BMC’s campaigning work is connecting with a broader audience.
There was so much more the BMC is proud of last year, but let’s now take a peek at what we’re most excited about in 2016.
Coming to you in the first half of 2016 will be the brand new campaign: Mend our Mountains. Our hills are ill and need help, which is why the BMC’s Access and Conservation Trust is scrambling to fund some much-needed repair work to damaged paths on some of Britain’s most iconic mountains. But this appeal is different; it’s using crowdfunding to raise the cash. Every donor to this campaign will receive a reward in return, ranging from t-shirts and downloads to signed prints and personal experiences with outdoor celebrities and some of the BMC’s very own ambassadors – so watch this space!
We’re also excited about next year’s decision on the sports that will be involved when Japan hosts the Olympics. The big question on our lips is will we finally see climbing on the roster? The prospect of climbing on such an international stage could mean big things for the community, the athletes and for the BMC too.
The government alongside the BMC will continue pushing the Active Outdoors campaign. The outdoors is there to be enjoyed by the whole of Britain, whether you’re into scrambling or rambling, it’s there for people of all levels of fitness and experience and is beneficial to health in a variety of ways. We’re devoted to making sure that everyone has access and knows how to enjoy the outdoors, so stay tuned for further BMC Active Outdoors courses subsidised by Sport England.
Elsewhere, keep an eye out for when we relaunch the
Regional Access Database (RAD). This year our team has been working hard to turn RAD into the definitive guide for crags in England and Wales. So to avoid disappointment, make sure you check out this interactive tool for the latest access news before you head out climbing or walking.
But most of all, the BMC is looking forward to an exciting new year of endorsing the benefits of the outdoors to its members and to the whole of Britain.
“Climbing, hillwalking and the outdoors remains at the heart of everything the BMC does,” said Dave Turnbull. “We hope that our members continue to appreciate the BMC’s work to support, promote, and make accessible to everyone, the value of our truly beautiful countryside. All our efforts are enabled by the backing of our members and for that we give them our continued thanks. We hope you all have very happy holidays.”
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