While the BMC is gathering in Yorkshire for the AGM on 28 April, local access rep Neal Heanes and his team in Dorset will be hard at work, clearing rubbish from below the Cheyne Cliff area car park. It’s part of a general clean-up instigated by Dorset County Council in preparation for this summer’s Olympics.

Fly-tippers have been dumping waste off the edge of the car park creating a blot on the landscape that will soon be seen by tens of millions. Weymouth Bay and Portland Harbour is the venue for the Olympic and Paralympic Sailing competitions. With money tight, the council has asked for a BMC volunteer effort to reach the bottom of the steep ground below the car park that would otherwise have required expensive contractors.

Neal says he’s already got half a dozen locals signed up for the operation, but is a looking for a few more to help out for a couple of hours. Given the nature of the work, you’ll need to be comfortable working on fixed ropes and jumaring. There are some heavy items to bring up from the bottom. Ropes will be provided so you won’t need to risk your own gear.

Access has become a problem at the nearby Dungecroft Quarry and Neal hopes the clean-up will remind the council of climbing’s conservation credentials and the usefulness of local activists. “This is a great opportunity for us to score brownie points and helps greatly with ongoing access negotiations. Thanks to those who have already offered to help.”

If you can spare the time, email Neal at neal@lyon.co.uk. Work starts at 10am.

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