Not sure if everyone already knows about this but the old Byker swimming baths (about 1 minute walk from Byker metro station) are being converted into a bouldering centre, Climb Newcastle. More info on the website, but its a welcome addition to pass the winter nights, especially since I only live 5 minutes away

http://www.climbnewcastle.com/

I live 10 mins away from Whickhambleau! And it's free. I bet Climb Newcastle ain't cheap.

Climb Newcastle? How unoriginal? Get some brain cells together to come up with something more inspiring! Like "Climb now, work later" wall or "Skivvers' Wall" or "9a+ Wall"; make it "10a" just to future prove for a bit. What about Spiderman Wall? Or even Byker Wall!! Just to keep the original sense of community and history. How's that for creativity? English people are notoriously bad for coming up with names for businesses. They're absolutely next to boring when it comes to names. Barclay's, Lloyds, Bradford & Bingley... Could they not do better than those people's names? Chinese would name a bank called "Good Fortune" to say the least. I particular like the horses' names in races in this country. They really put some thoughts into the business. Superb!

In terms of climbing world, the best name I've come across has to be Rock Fax's ice climbing guide to Rjukan. It's called "Heavy Water". So aptly named. You couldn't fault that.

Come on Andy. You can do better than Climb Newcastle!

Yeah, that's Andy Earl & Co's venture... it looks like it's coming alog much more quickly than the Rockworks one, their "flagship" seems to be becalmed

Climb Newcastle is a good name, especially if you're thinking of Google and other search-engine placements, say's exactly what it does on the tin!

The venue looks really good, and I do hope that some use is made of the height... there will be some awseome roofs if so

It appears to be quite popular from what I've read. To me though, they've missed a great opportunity, and I'm quite upset. I'm not interested in bouldering, and I don't understand why they haven't got any proper climbing walls with auto belay devices.

To be frank, I was really looking forward to having a climbing wall round the corner from where I live. Climbing is a hobby I really enjoy, and it's very good at helping me to get fit, but I cannot afford to travel to the Newburn Wall (which is a fab facility) and due to my phobias I cannot go into town to Eldon Square (Not that I'd want to anyway). So what choices do I have?

Ali

Rumours are there is a new climbing wall (of the ropes variety) opening just up the road from the bouldering wall.

I was at the BMC area meeting last Monday and was reliably informed that the Rockworks Wall at Byker will open next month, with at least six auto-belay points.

Malcolm

Yes, that's very good news. I was wondering if the St Marks Church project had been halted due to the ClimbNewcastle swimming pool project. I just hope that East Newcastle can sustain two climbing centres within less than a mile of each other. It would have made sense though, especially in this economic climate, for them to have joined forces and had it all under one roof. Less cost, maximise customers & profits and less likelihood of failure.

It'll be interesting to see what they're gonna call themselves. Originally, they had chosen 'climbnewcastle' as well, (website address http://www.climbnewcastle.co.uk/ ) but I guess they'll have to think again. I'm surprised they didn't register the .com address as well,as it is they left it open for someone else to register and use . . . I am also surprised of the secrecy of it all, and I suppose that until it's officially announced, we can't fully guarantee that it will be opening.

Fingers crossed.

Ali.