UKC

Does anyone have a link or copy of West Midlands Rock by Doug Kerr. It's out of print and impossible to find.

New guide to the area hopefully out by Spring time

Who is behind this guide? I've heard rumours of it for at least a decade and I know Iain McKenzie was involved at the start.

I may have a copy I can let you have at some vaguely reasonable price. I will hunt through my shelves over the next day or two and see what I can come up with if that's of interest to you.

i have a copy for sale 

pm me 

Wow! Really? Is it going to include the creme de la creme of Worcestershire limestone - Southstone?

Nick Dixon is producing a guide to the Shropshire area , and some outlying areas . It’s at draft stage and hoping to be ready at some point in the new year.

If you're desperate to get your hands on a copy you can get the last edition for a mere £110 or the even older edition for the bargain price of £69 from Abe Books

https://www.abebooks.co.uk/book-search/title/west-midlands-rock/author/kerr...

Outside have a 1988 (first edition) in exceptional condition for £5 in the 2nd book section that raises money for several charities. I'm sure postage could be arranged at cost. 

That's great news. Do you know if it will include the Shropshire Hills sports climbing mecca of  Norton Wood? I'm concerned it may become too popular and we'll have Kalymnos-type crowds swamping the place.

I think the Norton Wood grades are easier than Kalymnos so it will get mobbed.

 I think the Norton Wood grades are easier than Kalymnos so it will get mobbed.

And  seemingly a greater % of 3 star routes.......

I don't think I've had my ego so destroyed by a grade since I was in Joshua Tree!

Yes included. And a bit of a grade reshuffle I think. 

That's the most unexpected thing I've seen this year - a bolted mecca for the Shropshire(?) massive. Not much harder than 6a and bolts everywhere. Some of the pictures make it look half reasonable. Have you done much there and what's it really like? 

I've only been once. You need to appreciate esoterica and I have to admit my comments were rather tongue in cheek. Some of the rock is suspect, and it's economically bolted and bracingly graded. We enjoyed an entertaining day out, but were glad we'd taken a clip stick and a sense of humour.

Well, that IS a ringing  endorsement! Think I'll stick to the Lakes ... or Pontesford...

Ah, Pontesford - I do love that place. I presume you'll be studying my Climber article on it before your visit.

I'm not sure I'm ever going to drive away from Dow, then past N Wales to get to Pontesford again, but you never know... Do you have a link to your article?

There is a lot of crumbly limestone in the woods of south Shropshire and northwest Herefordshire.  I wonder what discoveries those who like their holds detachable may find. There is more than Ippikins and Norton

When Ludlow Grammar School existed it had boarders, and one of the things they got up to was climbing at Whitcliffe * - more evidence of the mental harm caused by boarding schools?

* Bet its banned - everything is on Whitcliffe.

After being told (flippantly ) that climbing up an old gym rope, on easy climbs, would be good training for an ascent of the Matterhorn, a Ponsbury resident took it seriously. It sounds as if they might have got an even fuller experience if they had used different  local venues. 

I'm afraid I don't have a link. But if you're ever festering in a hut on a rainy day and flipping through old copies of Climber, it's in the issue for Jan/Feb 2023.

Crikey - I don't read climbing mags unless their at least 10 years old - anything more recent I don't know what they're on about

That's OK - if I'm still in the land of the living I shall probably still be shuffling about on Pontesford ledges in 2034. Let me know then.

I found a copy on eBay mid-last year. I ordered it for £15 and it got delivered to my old address where I no longer lived.
My own fault.. but still.. it's been impossible to find since at a reasonable price!

Pontesford is a favourite for me and my other half. It's about an hour away from where we live near Dudley, and we always swing by Crystal's Cupcakes on the way there or back

Haha you've just induced mild ptsd at some of the Joshua Tree sandbags!!

We got there fresh from Bishop where the grades had been a relief after Yosemite and I'd felt I was going well. Stepped down a couple of grades for the first route in deference to J Tree's reputation. Could not do the first move. Stepped down another grade. Had to aid the crux. Took a while to tune in - but loved the bold slabbing there once I had.

I've got a copy of that guide. Message me...