The Committee
Chair
David Ponting
As chair, it's my job to ensure the smooth running of the club by organising regular committee meetings and the AGM. I also liaise with the BMC and make sure each committee member is supported in their role. Basically, I talk too much and send a lot of emails.
Mountaineering-wise, I've been active for over twenty years, including a full mixture from alpine climbing trips, to skiing in the arctic, to enjoying a casual Friday night bouldering session. After spending years in the flat fenlands of Cambridge, moving up to Leeds eight years ago - with beautiful countryside on our doorstep - has been an excellent choice and I have thoroughly enjoyed exploring said countryside and beyond with the club.
Away from the mountains, I'm a research scientist by day and a keen cyclist, runner, photographer, cook and gardener.
Treasurer
Clare Avory
As Treasurer, my role is to look after the books. This includes collecting subscriptions and keeping the BMC database up to date, paying for hut meets, merchandise and training, and ensuring everyone has paid up. I've inherited a very shiny spreadsheet from my predecessor, and look forward to developing our processes further.
I'm mainly a hill walker, scrambler and occasional walk leader, although I enjoy bouldering and sport climbing too.
Meets Secretary
Sarah Sharps
Hi I'm Sarah, I'm the Meets Secretary. My role is to organise the weekend meets ensuring the LMC is full of mini UK adventures all year round; generally camping in the summer and huts in the winter but we do mix it up sometimes with a summer hut meet! I am also responsible for the organizational side of things such as ensuring meet leaders have all the necessary information and keys.
I enjoy climbing, indoor and outdoor; I have a love-hate relationship with gritstone but I'm forced to climb on it anyway because apparently it's the done thing around here. I love bikes also, road and MTB and I love a good mountain walk, rarely straying into mountaineer territory. Generally happiest wandering in the Lake District in the summer in good company, a bag full of snacks and a mega flask of tea. I also enjoy photography, film making, graphic design and anything crafty. I'm in a rock/metal covers band too.
Membership Secretary
Sarah McCullagh
Hi, I'm Sarah, the current Membership Secretary. My role is to welcome new members into the fold, keep our membership database up to date and try to keep track of who attends which meets. I'm a below average climber who fell in love with trad and bouldering a few years ago (still trying to find the love for sport climbing), and am yet to find anything else that floats my boat quite as much as fighting my way up a gritstone crag whilst cursing my life choices. Also a fan of long days out on the hills and a staunch believer in the importance of cake.
Communications
Steph Jenkins
As Communications Secretary it's my role to keep you up to date with past and future club capers via monthly email dispatches. I also have an eye on club emails. If there's anything you'd like to hear more about or that you'd like to share with the membership please do get in touch!
I've been part of LMC since 2023. I enjoy climbing of all varieties, hill walking, trail running and snowboarding.
Social Secretary
Pete Coldham
I'm Pete, the LMC social secretary and you'll find me out trad climbing assuming it ever stops raining. Join me at the pub afterwards or at the once a month Friday sesh if you don't fancy the grit.
Climbing Coordinator
Graham Matthews
As climbing coordinator it is my job to organise all the Tuesday evening meets and also to cram a few day meets in wherever there is space in the extremely busy calendar. My main duty is to encourage people to "volunteer" as meet leaders and to put together a varied calendar for everyone to enjoy.
I have been climbing since the age of about ten and love all disciplines of climbing, especially trad. I enjoy climbing all over the UK but particularly the Peak district and Pembroke.
Walking Coordinator
Peter Ainsworth
I'm Peter and I organise the day walks for the club. The walks are a mixture of North York moors, east coast, dales and Peak District and are usually at least 6-7 miles. We will usually do circular walks, often with refreshments at the end. Sometimes there may be some scrambly bits of the walk, but climbing equipment will not usually be required. I am very keen to hear from members on walks they might want to do and I can support anybody who wants to lead a favourite walk.
Social Media Secretary
Graham Jones
Hi, I'm Graham!
As social media secretary I look after the club Instagram and Facebook pages to promote the club, act as first point of contact for enquiries through those channels, and generally post content that makes me chuckle even if no one else does. I'm driven by likes, shares, and engagement numbers so please keep hitting that thumbs up button!
I was dragged up in the club from about the age of five owing to being the offspring of a Munro bagger, but I was formally reacquainted with the LMC around ten years ago. I just enjoy being out in the hills, easy trad climbs and occasional bolt clipping. Colour coordinated kit is a must. Bouldering is always rubbish. Occasionally I ride bikes.
Ordinary Member
Will Points
Hi, I'm Will, and as the ordinary member my role is to help the committee with anything that falls outside the usual positions or needs an extra pair of hands.
I only joined LMC at the end of 2023 but I've been active in the outdoors for about 20years. I'm more of an all-rounder than you might think, but it is fair to say I'm most likely to be found climbing some limestone around the UK or abroad.
