STAR LETTER: Independance

In the last issue one letter commented that the Minister for Sport just sees climbing as a means of getting young offenders of the streets. Another that the BMC had lost government funding which could only be regained by the BMC assisting the government in its social engineering agenda.

From the BMC financial report 2006, grants and donations included £56,600 from UK Sport, £191,300 from Sport England, and a further £11,300 from UK Sport in connection with the UIAA. We assume that certain conditions are attached to these grants, but what exactly are they - what does the government want the BMC to provide? While Sport England wish to promote sports participation, some members might argue that we don’t necessarily want to encourage more people to take up our sport with the consequent pressures on the finite natural environment - but we do want to represent the interests of those who have decided to take it up themselves.

The more dependant we are of government the more we will be affected by changes in funding, such as the diversion of funds from grassroots sport to pay for the Olympics. Greater independence can be obtained by developing our trading activities and membership services. It appears from the accounts that the insurance scheme is bringing in almost twice as much as the government grants, and income from subscriptions is almost four times that amount. It's good that we have a dialogue with the Minister, via the lobbying event, but our vision of the BMC may not necessarily coincide with his view of how it can serve government agendas. Let’s know what the deal with government is and debate it, and let’s treasure our independence.
- Geoff Nichols, Sheffield, Summit 46

Made in China

Ed Douglas is to be complimented on his article in Summit 44 on the Tibetan shootings. The problem for the concerned mountaineer is what to do about it, and not buying that jacket made in China is a bit difficult when just about everything in the shops is produced there now. However UK mountaineers can at least make a collective complaint against the killing of that young nun. In 1982 the UIAA (of which the BMC and the Chinese Mountaineering Federation are members) signed the Katmandu Declaration - nine separate statements of ethical objectives. The third statement says ‘Respect the cultural heritage and dignity of local populations’, something which the Chinese government has certainly not been doing. The BMC should consider making a formal complaint at the next meeting of the UIAA against the actions of the Chinese government.
- K. C. Gordon, Llanllechid, Summit 46

Goosed

I realise that I may not be responding very smartly, but weren't the "Canadian geese" featured on Page 47 of Summit 45 actually whooper swans? Sincere regards - I'm finding my magazine is getting more interesting each issue. Thank you.
Ian G. Oliver, Summit 46

We are the future

After reading the note of caution in the "Keeping your club alive" article in Summit 45 we felt a need to reply. Having been family members of an established climbing club for over ten years we've experienced the influences of being associated with a climbing club from a very young age. Meeting other young members has lead to permanent friendships and unique experiences, and we've been extremely lucky to have been part of a group which is on the whole welcoming to kids. Incorporating children into a climbing club should not be viewed as a hindrance, but an addition, broadening the dimensions of an already strong club and creating 'ready made' members. 20-30 year olds were mentioned as being the future, but where are these 20-30 year olds recruited from?
The Mynydd Bach, Summit 46

Brave enough?

The BMC is clearly able to negotiate its way with politicians to develop whatever agendas it wishes to pursue. What I find surprising is that some members find reaching out to young people and accessing funding more daunting than scaling the heights. I am a BMC member and have some years experience of accessing government funding to work with young people at risk of offending - giving them opportunities to explore new skills and see that there is more to life. I agree that there are issues of short-termism in the funding; but these efforts need not be very costly, and the drive to be more inclusive has a long history. For example the Glasgow shipyards organised climbing clubs in the 1930’s, and these young men were probably of a social profile very similar to the “young offenders” of today. Surely the BMC is smart enough - and brave enough - to access funding to help boost its efforts to engage with the widest possible membership?
- Martine Marletta, Glasgow, Summit 46