At sheringham paper, norfolk uk

@ Sheringham Community Paper - Issue 71 - 19th January 2007

Sheringham Community PaperCLIMBING

After hearing rumours that there may be a climbing wall opening in Sheringham, I got really excited. I have been a keen climber now for around three years. I started climbing in 2004 with my girlfriend and her father. We usually go to the UEA climbing wall in Norwich. During the year at Bolton University I am a paid assistant climbing instructor. I take groups of adults out to rock climbing venues in the North West. Climbing and abseiling is a fun way to keep fit, it allows you to test your limits and learn skills you never thought you could learn before.

indoor climbingThe most common type of climbing is sport climbing. Sport climbing is usually done indoors at climbing centres. Basically the rope is already set up and all the fixtures are bolted to the wall. This is where most people start when they begin climbing. This is because it is the safest type of climbing and also simple to do.

There are many different techniques used in climbing from hand jamming (jamming ones hand in the crack in the rock face) to crimping (where you hook your fingers over a hold and place your thumb over the fingers). Mastering these techniques takes a lot of practice and skill.

Trad climbing is a type of climbing that is usually only done outdoors on open crags. This type of climbing involves the climber putting all of the protection in as they go. This requires a lot of experience and skill. There is also a lot of equipment required.

Protection is basically used to stop the climber from falling when they are putting the rope up, this is called leading or top roping. The climber ties onto the rope and then climbs the rock face whilst placing cams and nuts in the rock and clipping the rope into these runners or protection. Once the climber has lead a route another climber does what is called seconding. The seconding climber climbs up the rock face and removes the runners from the wall and takes the rope out.

As you can see although climbing is an extremely exciting and exhilarating sport, it is not as simple as it looks. It is, however a good form of exercise for people of all ages.

 

LAMB SURVEY HIGHLIGHTS SOCIAL IMPACT ON NORTH NORFOLK OF POST OFFICE CLOSURES

Survey conducted reveals majority of post offices locally under threat.  On the day that the Government will propose closures of thousands of post offices, results of a survey undertaken by Norman Lamb of sub-postmasters in North Norfolk show that:
· Only 10 out of 30 sub-postmasters were optimistic that business will be viable in 5 years time

  • 90 % say the loss of the Post Office Card Account could have a considerable impact on their business
  • 24 out of 30 feel that the closure of their Post Office would have a 'considerable' impact on their community

Norman Lamb MP points out that Norfolk communities will suffer. It is expected that up to one-in-five will close. A survey conducted by the Liberal Democrat MP shows the extent of the threat in North Norfolk.  "Before the Government's announcement, there was already considerable pessimism amongst postmasters regarding the viability of their post offices. Of the 30 who replied, only 10 were optimistic that they would be viable in 5 years time. Now the government is talking about widespread closures, it is inevitable that places like North Norfolk will see the biggest reduction in services.  The Government must shoulder much of the blame for the loss of revenue of local post offices. Decisions to withdraw services such as options for pension and benefit payments and the withdrawal of the Post Office Card Accounts in 2010 have either already, or will in future, hit the business of local post offices hard."  Norman Lamb spearheaded Liberal Democrat proposals to invest an additional £2billion in the post office network earlier this year.

"Post offices provide a vital service to many living in rural areas. I know from my campaigns in North Norfolk that there is very strong support for local post offices. Over 6,000 people locally signed my petition calling for the Government to keep the Post Office Card Account.  The Government must recognise the social value of the post office network, and ensure that it has a sustainable future, rather than cutting more and more services in rural areas."

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