Rab Carrington left his post as President of the BMC on Saturday 28 April after a successful three-year term, praising the huge volunteer effort that goes into the organisation and the constant vigilance required to maintain access to our crags and hills. Members of the BMC elected Scott Titt as its new president along with two new Vice-Presidents, Kate Phillips and Mike Watson.

Scores of members packed the 2012 annual general meeting, held at the Malham Tarn Field Studies Centre, with stunning views of the Yorkshire Dales National Park. All the AGM agenda items were carried, including agreement that 2013 membership subscription rates will be set at the same level as 2012.

After the election of three new executive committee members, Scott Titt, as incoming President, thanked Carrington for his efforts and “terrier-like” attention to making sure the BMC remains on a even keel financially, despite a testing economic climate and changes in the BMC’s insurance offer.

Read the 2012 BMC AGM Minutes

There was loud applause for Henry Folkard and Dave Bishop, who received the George Band Award, which recognises exceptional effort by BMC volunteers. Folkard and Bishop are longstanding and widely admired access and conservation activists in the Peak District.

Access veterans honoured with George Band Award

At the open forum session before the AGM, members quizzed the BMC’s Access and Conservation team on issues affecting liability and insurance, particularly those affecting quarries and the current status of Stanage.

There were more general questions about the accessibility of the annual report, which Rab Carrington held up as an example of the depth and range of work the BMC has completed in the last year. “The BMC is nothing without its volunteers,” he said. In his final speech to the BMC, he praised recent good results from the UK’s leading competition climbers, particularly Shauna Coxsey.

Read the 2012 National Open Forum Notes

The day was rounded off with a hog roast buffet and a prize draw raffle supporting the BMC Access & Conservation Trust.

The 2012 BMC AGM will be held at Plas y Brenin, the National Mountain in Capel Curig - date to be confirmed.
 

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