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The '''British Mountaineering Council''' ('''BMC''') is the national representative body for England and Wales that exists to protect the freedoms and promote the interests of [[climbing|climbers]], [[hillwalking|hill walkers]] and [[mountaineering|mountaineers]], including ski-mountaineers. Its headquarters are on Burton Road in [[West Didsbury]], an area of [[Manchester]], [[England]].
The '''British Mountaineering Council''' ('''BMC''') is the national representative body for England and Wales that exists to protect the freedoms and promote the interests of [[climbing|climbers]], [[hillwalking|hill walkers]] and [[mountaineering|mountaineers]], including ski-mountaineers.


==History==
The organisation was originally formed in 1944 to represent the interests of climbing clubs and primarily maintain access for climbers to climb on a [[mountain]], a [[cliff|crag]], or even a [[sea cliff]] in England and Wales. It works for its members to provide services and representation for: access and conservation, climbing walls, clubs and huts, competition climbing, equipment advice, guidebooks and maps, heritage, international, safety and skills, youth and equity. The organisation now has two types of membership; those that are affiliated via a [[Club (organization)|club]] and those that are [[individual]] members.
The organisation was originally formed in 1944 to represent the interests of climbing clubs and primarily maintain access for climbers to climb on a [[mountain]], a [[cliff|crag]], or even a [[sea cliff]] in England and Wales. As of 2017 its headquarters are on Burton Road in [[West Didsbury]], an area of [[Manchester]], [[England]].

===Founding members===
The BMC currently has over 75,000 members: 51,000 individual members, 24,000 club members, and 280 affiliated clubs. Membership benefits include access to the BMC travel insurance scheme, civil liability insurance, discounts on equipment, technical and training advice, and four copies of ''Summit'' magazine each year.

''Summit'' magazine aims to cover articles of interest to all climbers, hill walkers, and mountaineers. It frequently covers topics outside the remit of the mainstream magazines. Editions of the magazine are produced four times per year (Feb, May, Sep, Nov) and are sent direct to all British Mountaineering Council (BMC) individual members. People who are members of the BMC through an affiliated club only receive one copy - the February issue. The circulation therefore varies from 40,000 (May, Sep, Nov) to 75,000 (Feb). This makes it the climbing magazine with the largest circulation in the UK. It is also available to purchase in the BMC online shop and available from selected mountain centres throughout the UK, such as Plas y Brenin in Capel Curig.

The BMC also produces [[rock climbing]] guidebooks to some parts of the [[United Kingdom|UK]], primarily the [[Peak District]] and [[Lancashire]].

On 25 July 2016 the BMC announced its intention to [[rebranding|re-brand]] itself as "Climb Britain",<ref>{{cite web|title=BMC to change its name to Climb Britain|url=https://www.thebmc.co.uk/bmc-to-change-its-name-to-climb-britain|website=thebmc.co.uk|accessdate=27 July 2016}}</ref> but following feedback and consultations with members,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tgomagazine.co.uk/news/bmc-cancels-name-change/ |title=BMC Cancels Name Change |publisher=TGO |date=2016-09-23}}</ref> it announced two months later that the renaming would not go ahead.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.thebmc.co.uk/rebranding-consultation-update-decision |title=Rebranding consultation: update and decision |author=Tony Ryan |date=2016-09-23 |publisher=TGO |accessdate=2016-09-29}}</ref> Interest was expressed in using the "Climb Britain" brand for another purpose within the BMC.

==Founding members==
*[[Alpine Club (UK)|Alpine Club]]
*[[Alpine Club (UK)|Alpine Club]]
*[[The Rucksack Club]]
*[[The Rucksack Club]]
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*[[The Yorkshire Ramblers' Club]]
*[[The Yorkshire Ramblers' Club]]
<!-- Need to complete with other founder member clubs -->
<!-- Need to complete with other founder member clubs -->

==Member benefits==
The British Mountaineering Council works for its members to provide services and representation for: access and conservation, climbing walls, clubs and huts, competition climbing, equipment advice, guidebooks and maps, heritage, international, safety and skills, youth and equity. The organisation now has two types of membership; those that are affiliated via a [[Club (organization)|club]] and those that are [[individual]] members.

The BMC currently{{when?}} has over 75,000 members: 51,000 individual members, 24,000 club members, and 280 affiliated clubs. Membership benefits include access to the BMC travel insurance scheme, civil liability insurance, discounts on equipment, technical and training advice, and four copies of ''Summit'' magazine each year.

''Summit'' magazine aims to cover articles of interest to all climbers, hill walkers, and mountaineers. It frequently covers topics outside the remit of the mainstream magazines. Editions of the magazine are produced four times per year (Feb, May, Sep, Nov) and are sent direct to all British Mountaineering Council (BMC) individual members. People who are members of the BMC through an affiliated club only receive one copy - the February issue. The circulation therefore varies from 40,000 (May, Sep, Nov) to 75,000 (Feb). This makes it the climbing magazine with the largest circulation in the UK.{{cn}} It is also available to purchase in the BMC online shop and available from selected mountain centres throughout the UK, such as [[Plas y Brenin]] in [[Capel Curig]].

The BMC also produces [[rock climbing]] guidebooks to parts of the [[United Kingdom|UK]], primarily the [[Peak District]] and [[Lancashire]].

==Rebranding proposal==
On 25 July 2016 the British Mountaineering Council announced its intention to [[rebranding|re-brand]] itself as "Climb Britain", following consultant advice funded by [[Sport England]].<ref>{{cite web|title=BMC to change its name to Climb Britain|url=https://www.thebmc.co.uk/bmc-to-change-its-name-to-climb-britain|website=thebmc.co.uk|accessdate=27 July 2016}}</ref> However, following a strong backlash from its membership and subsequent consultations and heated online debates,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tgomagazine.co.uk/news/bmc-cancels-name-change/ |title=BMC Cancels Name Change |publisher=TGO |date=2016-09-23}}</ref><ref name="Statement"/> it announced two months later that the renaming would not go ahead.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.thebmc.co.uk/rebranding-consultation-update-decision |title=Rebranding consultation: update and decision |author=Tony Ryan |date=2016-09-23 |publisher=TGO |accessdate=2016-09-29}}</ref> Because of the way the rebranding issue had been handled, the BMC executive committee subsequently found itself facing a [[motion of no confidence]] from some of its members at its April 2017 [[Annual general meeting|AGM]].<ref>{{cite web|last1=Smith|first1=Bob|title=Mountaineering council confirms no-confidence vote will go ahead|url=https://www.grough.co.uk/magazine/2017/03/10/mountaineering-council-confirms-no-confidence-vote-will-go-ahead|website=www.grough.co.uk|publisher=grough Limited|accessdate=23 April 2017|date=10 March 2017}}</ref><ref name="Statement">{{cite web|last1=Berry|first1=Natalie|title=BMC release President's Statement on No Confidence Vote|url=https://www.ukclimbing.com/news/item/70988/bmc_release_presidents_statement_on_no_confidence_vote|website=www.ukclimbing.com|publisher=UKC|accessdate=23 April 2017|date=March 2017}}</ref>

Interest was expressed in using the "Climb Britain" brand for another purpose within the BMC.{{cn}}


==See also==
==See also==

Revision as of 10:18, 23 April 2017

The British Mountaineering Council
Formation1944; 80 years ago (1944)
HeadquartersBurton Road, West Didsbury
Websitewww.thebmc.co.uk

The British Mountaineering Council (BMC) is the national representative body for England and Wales that exists to protect the freedoms and promote the interests of climbers, hill walkers and mountaineers, including ski-mountaineers.

History

The organisation was originally formed in 1944 to represent the interests of climbing clubs and primarily maintain access for climbers to climb on a mountain, a crag, or even a sea cliff in England and Wales. As of 2017 its headquarters are on Burton Road in West Didsbury, an area of Manchester, England.

Founding members

Member benefits

The British Mountaineering Council works for its members to provide services and representation for: access and conservation, climbing walls, clubs and huts, competition climbing, equipment advice, guidebooks and maps, heritage, international, safety and skills, youth and equity. The organisation now has two types of membership; those that are affiliated via a club and those that are individual members.

The BMC currently[when?] has over 75,000 members: 51,000 individual members, 24,000 club members, and 280 affiliated clubs. Membership benefits include access to the BMC travel insurance scheme, civil liability insurance, discounts on equipment, technical and training advice, and four copies of Summit magazine each year.

Summit magazine aims to cover articles of interest to all climbers, hill walkers, and mountaineers. It frequently covers topics outside the remit of the mainstream magazines. Editions of the magazine are produced four times per year (Feb, May, Sep, Nov) and are sent direct to all British Mountaineering Council (BMC) individual members. People who are members of the BMC through an affiliated club only receive one copy - the February issue. The circulation therefore varies from 40,000 (May, Sep, Nov) to 75,000 (Feb). This makes it the climbing magazine with the largest circulation in the UK.[citation needed] It is also available to purchase in the BMC online shop and available from selected mountain centres throughout the UK, such as Plas y Brenin in Capel Curig.

The BMC also produces rock climbing guidebooks to parts of the UK, primarily the Peak District and Lancashire.

Rebranding proposal

On 25 July 2016 the British Mountaineering Council announced its intention to re-brand itself as "Climb Britain", following consultant advice funded by Sport England.[1] However, following a strong backlash from its membership and subsequent consultations and heated online debates,[2][3] it announced two months later that the renaming would not go ahead.[4] Because of the way the rebranding issue had been handled, the BMC executive committee subsequently found itself facing a motion of no confidence from some of its members at its April 2017 AGM.[5][3]

Interest was expressed in using the "Climb Britain" brand for another purpose within the BMC.[citation needed]

See also

References

  1. ^ "BMC to change its name to Climb Britain". thebmc.co.uk. Retrieved 27 July 2016.
  2. ^ "BMC Cancels Name Change". TGO. 23 September 2016.
  3. ^ a b Berry, Natalie (March 2017). "BMC release President's Statement on No Confidence Vote". www.ukclimbing.com. UKC. Retrieved 23 April 2017.
  4. ^ Tony Ryan (23 September 2016). "Rebranding consultation: update and decision". TGO. Retrieved 29 September 2016.
  5. ^ Smith, Bob (10 March 2017). "Mountaineering council confirms no-confidence vote will go ahead". www.grough.co.uk. grough Limited. Retrieved 23 April 2017.

External links