NUCC Caving 2018-19
FRESHERS
This year, we have had lots of new keen people joining the club, including several people who were already a part of other ?adult? caving clubs ? SWCC and NPC! We have also encouraged people to try caving for the 1st time and our Peak freshers trips were very successful, despite all the rain!
TRIPS
Over the summer NUCC also reached the dizzying heights of University News publication for the rescue of Yordas the Duckling named after his place of rescue shivering and cold down the first pitch of Yordas cave in the dales. Yordas was rescued in a Daren drum, (previous content yeeted into the cave, sorry Alex) from which he was taken all the way back to Nottingham and rehomed with a bird sanctuary. Article here (https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/sport/news/news/uon-caving-club-called-in-to-rescue-yordas-the-duckling.aspx?fbclid=IwAR0nwqubFi-JcXRwJi-3uC7ObA1SQL6XaPg8wQTbuYiFHg3rkGfINJpZvBI).
We have had trips this term to every caving area, with our freshers day trips a joint weekend with SUSS in the TSG, as well as a joint weekend with ICCC in SWCC in Wales. These were very successful trips, with many people returning on subsequent trips to continue caving! It was nice to have joint trips with SUSS and ICCC again, strengthening our bonds between these 2 clubs in particular.
Our next trip was to the Belfry in Mendips, where we joined for their bonfire night weekend. This was a fun time, and a chance to again meet more of the caving community. We did several trips, including caves that we hadn?t done before, such as Lionels and Bath to Rods. We all joined in on the fun in the evening, with some people getting on the roof, I had a go at fire poi and we all enjoyed the disco. Thanks Belfry! Also a special thanks to CHECC for giving us the 10 free nights at the Belfry!
After that, we went to Bull Pot Farm in Yorkshire. We had some longer trips here doing Lancaster to Wretched Rabbit in a record breaking 12 hours, a photo trip in Shuttleworth and a bumble around the scaffold nightmare of Notts II. This was the 1st chance for freshers to try SRT which went without a hitch and it was a fun if tiring weekend! We have also ran more Wednesday trips this term, to Jug Holes and Brightgate in Matlock, as well as to Carlswalk and Winnat?s Head.
SRT TRAINING
Training has again been successful this year, with an organised system of 3 sessions at the climbing wall before a fresher can go on an SRT trip, as well as a catchup session if needed. Thanks a lot to Natalie and David for sorting all this! We also recently were gifted with the presence of Nigel Atkins, who came to talk to us about kit and different rescue and rigging techniques. Thanks Nigel!
SOCIALS
We have continued weekly Thursday socials this term, highlights being a bonfire night complete with a guy, pumpkin carving, a good helping of pub, and a board games social.
SUMMER HOLIDAY!!
This summer a small number of the club went on a club holiday to the Vercours in France for Caving, Kayaking, Via Ferrata and Wine as a recce for a more major trip this year which is already brewing with much excitement. This might be the beginning of an expedition of our very own, but first we need to get competent leaving the country.
PLANS FOR THE FUTURE
We have now made a 5-year plan for the club, including making an informal alumni group for the members leaving this year (and other alumni that we can find). We are also going to have another holiday to the Vercours this summer, hopefully with more members to have fun in the south of France! We have received funding from Nottingham Uni in the form of Distos, a toughcam and various bits to get us ready to survey and put our club name on things, maybe even abroad! We?re hoping to set up an expedition in the next few years.
Louise Ranken (President) and Benedict Claxton Stevens (Treasurer)