BMG AGM
On the 10th December 2011, members of the British Mountain Guides Association met for their AGM and annual Dinner.
This annual highpoint in the guiding calendar moves around the regions of the British Guides each year. Following last year’s AGM in Kingussie (The ‘Scottish Area’ of the BMG) this year it was the turn of the ‘Other Areas’ Guides to host the event, this means Guides living in the vicinity of the Peak District and everyone else that does not fall into any other regions. It was held at the Norfolk Arms near Hathersage, where members did battle to attend the event under poor road conditions with driving snow.
The AGM formalities of the meeting were efficiently dispatched by our seasoned outgoing president Roger Payne who chaired the meeting. An interesting discussion forum followed, chaired by our new president Tim Walker. The much presided upon issues raised are certain to have Tim and all the members busy in the new year moving the association to new strengths. Not least, as we as make preparations towards hosting the IFMGA (our international federation) general meeting on November 20th - 22nd 2012 in the Aviemore area and the IFMGA climbing competition at Ratho on the 23rd and 24th of November 2012. Put these dates in your diaries now as we need a strong British turnout!
Our guests included Doug Scott who in an amusing tale recounted his dabbling with alpine mountain guiding back in the bad old days. Also joining us for the dinner were Bill Leeson, who in convalescence following a mountain incident had time to give valuable advice to our PSC and John Shaw who audits the BMG accounts. A warm welcome was received by Paul Platt who came as chair of the Association of Mountaineering Instructors, helping to bolster links across the UK mountaineering awards. Our new sponsors from W L Gore and Arc’teryx were represented by Lewis Grundy and Andy Bowman respectively. And of course everyone’s best friend when anything administrative crops up, Sue Doyle. There was a fantastic turn out of wives and partners of the guests and guides who helped make the evening’s dining and socialising very enjoyable.
It's been another great year for the BMG and with all the hard work planned it’s reasonable to assume the association will have moved on leaps and bounds when we reflect on 2012 at our next AGM on Sunday 25th November 2012, at Ratho, Edinburgh
