Wilton 1 Clean up day

[Will Hardman]

As some of you might already be aware yesterday, Sunday 30th, the BMC (who are now the proud owners of the venerable Wilton 1) organised a clean up day of the quarry. Around 40 volunteers attended and fueled with BMC tea and cakes set about the mamoth task of clearing the most neglected parts of the quarry. On hand with helpfull advice (and also getting stuck in) was Les Ainsworth who many people will know is responsible for a large amount of routes and development at the venue. Being my local crag, I went along to represent the MOB and help out.

As I arrived around midday the crag was already swarming with people hard at work on ab ropes down most of the main lines along with a flurry of felling and clearing work going on at the base. The areas given most attention were the allotment, pitface, jean area and the outside face of the prow. In certain areas the tops have been cleared right back and the encroaching bushes and vegetation removed, opening up and vastly improving many older lines that haven't seen any chalk in years. Numerous new belay stakes have been added and a number of rusting bolts and creaky pegs were removed and replaced

Overall the day was a great success with many people talking of returning to clean this or that route. It would appear that a thorough cleaning was long overdue and this may well spark a resurgence of interest in the venue, which given the wear and tear on other venues nearby, can only be a good thing.