Climbers' Club has a comprehensive archive of key
Club documents the majority of them being at the Caernarfon Records
Office. The Archives are managed by our Honorary Archivist Chris
Simpkins.
Notes from Chris Simpkins
Material to be deposited should be of direct
relevance to the Climber's Club and is usually primary material
- for example, the log books containing the write ups of new routes
rather than the guidebook where those
routes have been published. The material is held in the Record Office
and is open to all members of the
public with the exception of the Minutes of the various committees which
are closed to members of the
Club for 20 years and are thereafter open to the members only, and then
only after referral to the
Archivist or Secretary of the Club.
Material may not be removed from the Record Office other than via me -
and then only the officers or
officials can do so - for example the guide book writers occasionally
need access for longer than the
amount of time that they can actually spend at the RO. The reason for
this apparently draconian regime is
because valuable items have been lost in the past and I cannot trace
them and I do not intend to lose any
more!! Usually definite queries are quite quick to deal with and for CC
members ONLY, who are unable to get to Caernarfon, I may be able to go
and provide the initial information.
If people wish to make deposits then it is usually best if I am
contacted first to give a general idea as
to whether it is suitable for deposit. Then the material should be
sorted before sending it here
please!
The Archive Catalogues
The following downloadable (Adobe Reader required)
catalogues list items and their reference numbers. You can search
for items using the Adobe reader search facility. Click on the
links below:
Location of Main Archives
The archives are kept at the Caernarfon Record
Office - details and map below:
Caernarfon, Gwynedd, LL55 1SH
archives@gwynedd.gov.uk
tel. 01286 679095
fax. 01286 679637
web site (information page):
http://www.gwynedd.gov.uk/gwy_doc.asp?cat=3693&doc=9238
Note: Our index is not listed on the Record Office web site.
The nearest parking to the Record Office is the Pay and Display parking
at the Victoria Dock – alternatively you can park in Morrisons for free
and walk a little further!
From the car park(s) go down to the Menai Straits and walk South along
the promenade towards the Castle. You will cross a footbridge over a dry
dock access and the Record Office is the large building on your left.
The Archives are open: Tues – Fri 9.30 – 12.30, 1.30 – 5.00, with an
extension to 6.30pm on a Wed.
As you enter the building there is a security system on the door – press
the black button and wait for the click before opening the door. Once in
the building go right to the Search room where a member of staff will
help you. You will need some form of identity to obtain a card – e.g a
driving licence, or something with an address on it. It all sounds a bit
intimidating but they are very welcoming and helpful. The index of the
Climbers Club documents is XD52/.. and photographs XS/3502/.. Once you have decided which items you
would like to see you fill in a request form and place it on the desk
and the document is brought to you. It’s as easy as that!
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