Outdoor Focus Summer 2019 | Page 3

OWPG NEWS AUDIO OGRE E verest legend Doug Scott has released the remarkable story of his and Chris Bonington’s first ascent of Pakistan’s Ogre in audiobook format. The Ogre is the first book by mountaineering publisher Vertebrate Publishing to be made available as an audiobook. (See the review of the print version in the Spring 2018 Outdoor Focus.) Commenting on its release Scott said, ‘I’m thrilled Vertebrate Publishing chose The Ogre as its first audiobook publication. It’s testament to how much readers have engaged with the story. Now the book can be heard read aloud for the first time, the truth of the story behind our ascent can potentially be made available to an entirely new audience’. If you’d like to submit ideas for articles for the autumn issue please contact me by email - [email protected] for further details. The deadline for all contributions is 15 August 2019. 2019 AGM WEEKEND A full day messing about in a boat is among activities that members will be able to enjoy at the Guild’s Big Weekend, in October. Formal booking for the event, including the AGM, is now open and members can also help shape activities by indicating their preferences. Anyone who has already advised organiser Stan Abbott that they intend to be there should by now have received from Stan a formal booking confirmation and deposit request. Anyone else wanting to go can also download this using this link: www.bit.ly/OWPG2019AGM, along with the activities preferences form. A deposit of £60 is payable for each member and guest – £50 if paid before July 31. Be sure to block off the weekend of Friday October 7 to Monday October 10 and join other members and guests for what promises to be a really exciting weekend. The Guild’s AGM will take place on Saturday October 8, at 4pm, followed by our annual awards ceremony and Guild dinner. We’re doing things a little differently this year, with the Awards ceremony coming straight after the welcome drinks and nibbles, sponsored once again by Cicerone as part the company’s 50th anniversary celebrations. Our base for the Big Weekend is the Waveney River Centre, which is on the border between Norfolk and Suffolk, not far from Lowestoft. The Centre offers a range of different types of accommodation, from camping, yurts and pods at one end of the scale up to top quality hotel rooms at the other. Our main accommodation is in three very well appointed apartments, housing a total of 18 guests in a combination of double and twin rooms. The cost per guest per night is £30 if sharing a room or £40 per night for single occupancy. As this accommodation is primarily for members who will be staying for all three nights, there is a modest supplement for two-night stays. Among facilities at the venue are an indoor swimming pool, hot tubs, and canoe and kayak hire, as well as the chance to explore the miles of scenic Broads and their rich wildlife. Trains serve nearby Oulton Broad, as well as Beccles and Hadiscoe. This year, we’ll be building the activities programme around members’ stated preferences. At present, we are committed to hiring the River Centre’s 12-seat motor cruiser for a full day on Saturday at a cost per member of £20 on a first-booked basis. If demand exceeds supply, it may be possible to hire one the Centre’s smaller boats in addition. Kayaks and canoes are also available from £20 for three hours. Other activities have yet to be finalised and the final programme will be based on member preferences, which is why it’s important not just to complete the event booking form, but also to the activities form. www.bit.ly/OWPG2019AGM www.waveneyrivercentre.co.uk summer 2019 | Outdoor focus 3