What does the BMC do for clubs?
Much of the BMC’s work is relevant to both individual and club members. The following non-exhaustive list gives an indication of those aspects of BMC membership which are particularly relevant to clubs and club members:
- Technical Support
BMC staff are available to help with a wide range of issues including child protection, liability & insurance, training, instruction & recruitment in clubs, and hut issues. The office provides the secretariat for the Clubs Committee (which provides a sounding board for club issues) and our website hosts a range of technical guidance documents; see BMC club guidelines. - Insurance
Each club member receives £10m of civil liability insurance. This safeguards members and club officials in the event of claims against them for causing injury, damage or loss to a third party; see the summary of Combined Liability and Personal Accident Cover. Many clubs see this insurance as essential in order for them to run their annual calendar of meets and events. - Small Grants
Over the past five years the BMC has allocated over £100k to 190 affiliated clubs as small grants to support website development, equipment purchase and provide mountaineering instructor support to help train club members. A further £63k is available over the next three years thanks to Sport England support; see Funding opportunities for clubs. - Training & Events
The BMC has run a two-day student club safety seminar at Plas y Brenin every October for the past 20 years. We also run a biennial huts seminar and in recent years the Clubs Committee has run several technical seminars focusing on legal, insurance and mountain training issues, as well as a series of weekend courses; see Training courses with the BMC. - Advice on Huts
The BMC Huts Group has produced a wide range of technical guidance for clubs which is available on the BMC website; see BMC hut guidelines. The BMC’s own huts (Glen Brittle, Whillans/Roaches, Alex MacIntyre) are available for club bookings. - Retail Discounts
The BMC membership card provides club members with 10-20% discount in 700 outdoor retailers nationwide; see Get discounts in shops nationwide. - Summit Magazine
Each club member receives by post the pre-AGM (March) edition of Summit magazine. Other issues can be purchased and digital versions are available for tablets and phones; see How to get Summit magazine. - Club Archives
The BMC funds the cost of the Mountain Heritage Trust archivist; the archivist – Maxine Willett – has helped many clubs over the years and is available to advise and assist on the management and upkeep of club archives; visit the Mountain Heritage Trust website.
Important BMC initiatives
- Establishment of the Clubs Committee
Set up in March 2009 the BMC Clubs Committee provides a sounding board for BMC affiliated clubs and has a remit to advise on clubs issues, promote the case of clubs and develop new initiatives to help and support the management of clubs and club activities. - Access & Conservation work in Wales
At the end of 2009 we appointed our first ever full-time officer with a remit for Wales. Elfyn Jones (former National Trust Property Manager for Ogwen, the Carneddau and Anglesey) is a land management expert and is actively engaged with the Welsh Government, landowners, conservation bodies at all levels promoting the case of climbers and hill walkers. - Wind farms in Scotland
Over the past five years we have contributed £15k/year to the Mountaineering Council of Scotland’s campaign against inappropriate wind farm developments in the Scottish hills and mountains. - All Party Parliamentary Mountaineering Group (APPG)
The BMC now formally provides the secretariat of the Mountaineering APPG. We have developed a strong cross-party network of MPs and Peers with a genuine interest in hill walking and mountaineering, who are prepared to actively support BMC causes and campaigns and promote our case in Westminster. - Quarry Regeneration Project
The BMC is funding a two-year project to investigate and promote the regeneration of hard rock quarries for climbing. We are engaged with the quarrying industry and will produce a detailed set of technical guidance and good practice case study documents by the end of 2014. - Avon Gorge Project
The BMC is also funding a two-year project to help regenerate the climbing environment in the Avon Gorge. This includes rock and vegetation clearance work, fixed equipment replacement and engagement with landowners and the council to promote the case for climbers. - Support for Hill Walkers
Last year we appointed a full-time member of staff – Carey Davies – with a specific remit to support hill walkers within the BMC and campaign for the rights and interests of walkers and the protection of the mountain environment. The position is fully funded by Sport England. - Regional Support for Clubs
Also thanks to Sport England support we now have three full-time Regional Officers in place covering the South East, England (East) & England (West). The priority for these roles is to support the transition of newcomers from indoor climbing to outdoor climbing and into clubs.