THE EARLY DAYS BY ALBERT HATTERSLEY

We were very fortunate in the late 40’s and 50’s/60’s because winters were usually very snowy. Our equipment was very basic; the skis were usually government surplus ex-army skis, solid hard wood, no metal edges and very poorly designed bindings; once you were in the binding you stayed in them, no safety aspect at all. Our ski sticks were lengths of cane with cane baskets the size of dinner plates on the end. The boots we wore in the beginning were our climbing boots with a groove cut into the heel to allow the strap of the binding to hold. Later we were able to buy leather ski boots. As time went on, interest in skiing grew; the first ski tow that I remember in the area was a farmer’s tractor jacked up off the ground and the wheel of the tractor was used as the driving power for the tow rope. A couple of years later a proper ski tow appeared. A group of skiing enthusiasts approached an engineering friend and asked if he could convert a mini car engine to a ski tow, which he did. In payment for his work we, the group, laid a new concrete drive at his home.

The interest in skiing in our area grew and grew, most of the local skiing was done at Ringinglow or on the Snake Pass. One day a few skiers were talking in Tanky’s ski and climbing shop in High Court, and discussed the possibility of forming a ski club.

Returning back to the early days, many of The Club traditions have stuck through the years.

Opening Night has always been near the beginning of November. Unfortunately, in (2001) we have had to break traditional slightly by moving it to Tuesday night. The Christmas Noggin seems to be quite a traditional meeting time also. I believe that it has grown to the current ‘get together’ over the past few years from members getting together to exchange Christmas cards. Lastly the AGM was first held 9 th May 1969 at The Norfolk Arms and I am pleased to say that this is still the same (second Wednesday of May).

One of my learnings whilst researching the history was how it became the ‘Hallamshire’ Ski Club. Way back in 1966 (67 or 68), there was already a Sheffield Ski Club – whatever happened to them I do not know! As the meeting area (and presumably skiing area) was the Hallamshire area, I suppose this is how it became to be named!!

Local skiing certainly was the ‘birth’ of The Club, however it was not long before members were travelling further afield. In 1969 The Club travelled (by bus) to the Cairngorms for their first ‘Scottish Experience’. I’ve heard many stories of these Scottish trips that followed and it would be fantastic to see this tradition be restored, but I think we are all spoiled by the European sunshine and the European beer!! The first foreign ski holidays were organised by Tanky and Sheila, although neither of them can agree on the first destination, the nearest is Austria!!