AOAC Newsletter

Message from the Chair - March 2023

Spring is on the way …. along with the daffodils and other flowers and carpet of snow … hope your plans were not too disrupted by it.

Fancy a free drink? Read on …
It’s nearly time for the AGM and once again we are offering a free drink to members coming along to say thank you for giving up your valuable time to join us. 

It is on Wednesday 15^th March at Inn on the Green, Horfield, BS7 0PA (upstairs) 7.30pm – ask at the bar for the AOAC tab. There will not be an option to join online this year, however voting for the new committee will be done online following the AGM as per last year. The AGM agenda is posted on the committee section of the forum: AGM AGENDA

As the days get longer, there are more and more events arriving on the calendar. Please keep an eye on the calendar as some are short notice, and support organisers by signing up to events – it’s a great way to meet new people doing something fun. As always if there is nothing on the calendar that suits you, think about organising an event that does. 

Organisers - it’s a good idea to promote your event on the AOAC Facebook page - public details only - as well as the forum and through word of mouth.
AOAC FACEBOOK

Thanks as always to everyone who has been/is organising/leading events for the Club. Also to the committee for their hard work behind the scenes through the year and for your support in keeping the Club running. 

Great to see that we have nominations for nearly all committee roles for the upcoming year – thanks to those who have stepped up. We still need a nomination for Communications Officer – more information below.

The role of the Communications Officer is to promote the Club and its activities both internally to the membership, and to the outside world. The media for this is the website, the regular newsletter, and through social media.
 
The CO is responsible for communicating and marketing the activities and events of the Club: advertising events which have vacancies and need additional marketing; reporting committee news and developments; sharing news and experiences of members; keeping the membership engaged.
 
The main medium is the monthly (or more often as required) newsletter, but social media is an easier, quicker, more direct method of accessing not only the current membership but also all of the AOAC Facebook group members, of which there are over 1200! 

All nominations for this role are welcome.

All other roles are still open for nomination too – if you’re interested please email [email protected] – you will need someone to nominate and someone to second you. Details in previous email sent out regarding AGM and on AOAC website. Closing date March 15^th at AGM.

Please don’t hesitate to get in touch with me or any of the committee if you have any ideas/comments/suggestions about Club-related matters. Our email contact details are on the website.

Katie, AOAC Chair
[email protected]

FUN IN THE SNOW!

Late February kicked off the AOAC ski trip, aimed at beginner/intermediate level and a party of 12 skiers and snowboarders said goodbye to Bristol on Saturday 25 February and hopped on our EasyJet flight for the short journey to Turin for a week of playing in the snow.  One super easy 1hr transfer later, we arrived in beautiful Sauze d'Oulx in Northern Italy (the location of the 2006 Olympic Winter Games freestyle skiing event - get us!).

Somewhat concerned by the lack of snow on arrival, in high spirits we settled into our Chalet Chez Nous with our wonderful host, Nico and hired our kit ready to hit the mountains on the Sunday. Our chalet was perfectly located a short distance from the ski lift so a short walk in the mornings to head off into the mountains.

Each day was complemented by an endless continental style breakfast of pastries, toast and eggs, meats/cheeses, cakes, cereals and fruit (some of which found it's way into backpacks to be pulled out later in the day, squished and just about edible)!  We managed to explore various restaurants each night so had experience of different menus - who would have thought that a bowl of pasta was a starter?! 

Some of us hopped on a train mid-week and headed for a day break in the city of Turin where we experienced its wonderful Baroque, Rococo and Neo-classical architecture, a relaxing coffee/cake stop in a local café and lunch in the square with a glass of wine.  Maria and I also experienced the local spa one afternoon for a treat - overlooking the mountains and just chillin' - just what my type of ski trip is about these days!

Day one on the slopes was a lesson in survival with poor visibility so we took it easy, and luckily for us it snowed a day or so into our trip and we had good snow conditions for a large part of our week. We were rewarded with wonderful hot mountain sunshine and snow on our last day! The beginners spent the week mastering the ski lifts, staying upright, turning and stopping, both in lessons and time with the group - and I have to say, they did exceptionally well, while the more confident skiers and snowboarders explored the mountains.  A fabulous, injury free, trip with a great group of people and huge thanks to Maria for all the hard work organising the trip this year.  Here a few piccies of a fun week . . . the rest can be found on the AOAC Facebook Ski Trip Album . . .

Sue, AOAC Comms
comms@aoac.co.uk

AOAC CONSERVATION DAYS ARE BACK!

Saturday 18th March is our tree planting day on the northern edge of the Chew Valley, only 5 miles from central Bristol. We will be contributing to the recently announced Great Avon Wood, which will eventually be a new 113 acre woodland.

Book your place here: https://aoac.co.uk/content/tree-planting-conservation-day

HAVING A BALL!

If any of you haven’t looked too far ahead in our events calendar yet, I’m pleased to bring to your attention that due to the overwhelming success of our January boat party, we have now arranged a Summer Ball at the same amazing venue for July 22nd.

Same brilliant DJ and an even better buffet this time, with the bonus not only of below decks, but the opportunity to be on deck to enjoy the summer evening under the stars. Book your tickets without delay as we sold out last time! AOAC SUMMER BALL

Thanks, Pebbles (Tracy)
 

NEW MEMBERS WEEKEND EXMOOR
 

There are still places available for new and existing members on the Exmoor weekend 14th - 16th April.

A great opportunity to introduce new members to the Club. There will be walking each day and may be other activities depending on leaders and participants' interests.

Accommodation and all leading is covered by the event cost. There will be options to join a group meal on Friday and/or Saturday night, there are also pubs nearby.  Take a look on the calendar:
https://aoac.co.uk/content/new-and-existing-members-weekend-exmoor

MOUNTAIN BIKING
Thanks to Guy, mountain biking for beginners/improvers has returned to the calendar, 25th March.  Still spaces, so if you fancy a try at mountain biking, take a look at the calendar and book on, these have been very popular in the past with expert, friendly and encouraging tuition from the leaders. 

From basics upwards to help those who are new to Mountain Biking and those who want to develop and test out new skills.  This event will include training and assistance and then practical work on the trails. Give it a go! https://aoac.co.uk/content/mountain-biking-beginners-only-1

ROAD BIKING

It seems to be still too cold to bring out many of our roadies! However, the Club does have a keen road riding contingent, and some brave riders ventured out in January and February (thanks to Guy and Sian for those events).  Who will be next to put a ride on?  It would be great to see a regular evening ride on the calendar again during summer.

WANTED . . . BIKE COORDINATOR!

Talking bikes - we are short of a Club Bike Coordinator still - would any of our mountain bikers or road riders like to take this one on?  If you would like to know more, please feel free to drop an email to [email protected].

WALKING

It's that time of year to start thinking about the hot summer evenings.  Keith has put three walks on the calendar: 18th May, 13th June and 18th July.  If you would like to put on an evening walk, we normally walk on Tuesdays and/or Thursdays - May to Aug, meeting at 6.45pm for walking at 7pm, 3-4 miles is best and up to 5 miles in mid-summer.
https://aoac.co.uk/content/summer-evening-walk-sculpture-trail

CLIMBING

As always, there are plenty of climbing opportunities on the calendar.  If you have always fancied having a go a climbing there are plenty of opportunities to try it out with the Club.  Take a look at the calendar for indoor climbing beginner sessions or email our climbing coordinator for more info: [email protected].

THE UK SAYS GOODBYE TO TWO GREAT CLIMBING LEGENDS

Some of the world’s first cutting-edge rock and ice climbers were based in the UK. It was reported a couple of weeks ago that legends Ron James and Jimmy Marshall died. Neither were climbing at the time. Read the full article on Gripped.com.
https://gripped.com/news/two-u-k-climbing-legends-died-this-week/

PADDLESPORTS

CONGRATULATIONS! Alan has recently passed his BC Touring Leader Award - very well deserved Alan.  

WANT TO GET INTO PADDLESPORTS? All of our Summer paddling courses have now gone on to the calendar and booking is open. There are Taster Days if you want to try it out first before committing to a course, then Discover and Explore level courses in kayaks and canoes. Please see the website for further details and if you have any questions let Irene know.
[email protected]

AGM AND COMMITTEE POSTS

As already mentioned above, the AGM is scheduled for Wednesday 15^th March at Inn on the Green, Horfield, BS7 0PA (upstairs) 7.30pm. A great chance not only for a social catch up with your fellow members, but also an opportunity to support the Club and its committee and understand a bit more about how the Club is run.

There will also be a demonstration of the new AOAC website at the AGM - one not to miss so please come along to see how that is developing.

We have one committee position still available which is the Comms Officer role.  I would be happy to spend as much time as needed in handing it over if someone would like to step up and give it a go.  If you would like to know more about the position, just drop me a line at the comms email below.  

Sue, Comms
[email protected]

WILDERNESS LECTURES BRISTOL

For those of you who are fans of the Wilderness Lectures, keep an eye on their website as they are starting to book up their 2023 speakers so will be publishing their 2023 schedule soon:
https://www.wildernesslectures.com/

CLUB OPERATION

If members would like information on how the Club operates, you can visit the website https://aoac.co.uk/content/how-club-operates.

EVENTS

So many fabulous events that have either taken place or scheduled on the calendar over the next few months - far too many to mention in this newsletter!  Remember, if you would like to promote your event or do a little write up of one that has taken place, or submit an article of interest - send it to [email protected] and it will find its way into the next newsletter!  All relevant content is very welcome and it saves the editor making everything up! 😊.

Thanks everyone, by the time the next newsletter comes out, Spring will have sprung!

Sue, Comms
[email protected]