Tuesday meeting 12.00 for 12.30 finishing at 14.00

Thanks must go first of all to John, Graham and Brian for digging us out of a hole with the Golf Club out of bounds and a troupe from Headingley coming to dine. The buffet set up at short notice by Graham and Brian drew praise from our visitors and there won't be many Clubs where the President finishes up working incognito behind the bar.

John Burland on Alfred Wainwright, author and fell walker was a revelation. Disappearing after a couple of minutes to join his 'alter ego' and returning as the author he read a comprehensive description of the life of Alfred Wainwright. The parts striking me were initially his punctiliousness first working in the Borough Engineer's Department then after moving from Blackburn to Windermere carrying that over into his career as a fully qualified accountant achieved in 1933. He was also a big supporter of his hometown Club Blackburn Rovers.

Born on 17 January 1907, he discovered the Lake District in 1930 and a year later completed an eight day expedition climbing 53 fells including Scafell Pike.

As an author how could anyone set out to write a series of books with a target of 13 years and finish up one week ahead of schedule. His last fell description was written in 1965. I loved the fact that when writing he never split words and never left a single word overhanging on to the next line!!! We all learned details about Wainwright we would never have heard of elsewhere. It was just such a shame that his talk overran and that several individuals did not last till the end but well done John Burland and President John Kitching for finding him.

Towels for the Aquabox appeal were brought in abundance and collected with gratitude collected by Gordon, Aquabox Ambassador for the North.