A big thank you to everyone on UKC/H and all our BMC Members who took the time to comment and feedback on the proposals we published.

As "Members' Champion" it was invaluable to be able to bring your views to the BMC Board meeting. Of course no one likes to see the cost of anything going up, but the balance of feedback was strongly supportive of the approach being proposed, and appreciative of the clarity of communications. There were useful points of concern expressed, and questions raised, all of which have been picked up in the FAQ section of the post: https://www.thebmc.co.uk/en/member-fee-update-2025

Thanks again - a great example of our members having their say - It's OUR BMC - Keep the comments coming and many thanks for your continued support!

Cheers, Dom

The discussion on the original 'fees thread' raised a couple of deeper issues, for us as a community and for the BMC:

'Do we, as climbers, need third party liability insurance?' Everyone is entitled to an opinion on this, but there seemed to be a consensus that even a very small chance multiplied by enormous consequences means there is a strong case for insurance - to protect others as much as ourselves. This was very much the spirit in which the scheme was established BITD - so that the climbing, mountaineering and wider communities could club together to provide mutual support in the event of dreadful things occasionally happening.

'Why should I join the BMC - is it just about insurance?' I'd answer that the insurance benefit would be reason enough to join the BMC (you would be hard pressed to find £15m of 3rd party liability insurance from another provider for the whole cost of individual BMC membership, and I'd check the small print if you think your house insurance will do the trick!). However, that isn't the only or even the main reason I would advocate joining the BMC. Membership fees go to support our access officers and volunteers in enabling us to climb and walk where we wish; support lobbying on behalf of our interests; and deliver vital conservation efforts to protect the crags and hills we cherish. Some will say 'but that will happen whether I pay or not' and of course that's true at an individual level. But if we all opt out, who will protect our access to hills and crags then?

I appreciate there's a cost of living crisis, and for those who are in difficulty there are a number of mechanisms in place for support (see the FAQs referenced above). Is a quid a week really too much to 'put something back' into the community we are all a part of, and provide protection for each other in the event that something goes pear-shaped. If you are already a member, thank you so much for your support! If you haven't yet joined, it would be great to welcome you to the BMC: https://thebmc.co.uk/en/members

Cheers, Dom

I really don’t think the BMC sell the benefit of having third party insurance enough. I have asked countless people attending the workshops I provide what the biggest benefit of being a member of The BMC is and it is extremely uncommon for anyone to even know they are insured. Mostly they are complaining that they have to join the BMC to register for a MT award scheme. The BMC membership including the third party insurance is extremely good value, my professional insurance is significantly more for less cover. £1.00 a week is really a bargain for £15 million third party cover, remember that when pulling on a dubious hold or swing above someone else at the climbing wall. Accidents can happen.

Is the reduced fee for under 27s new? I don't remember seeing it when I looked last summer (although I may have just been wildly unobservant!), but believe it's probably a good idea to help people transition from university club membership into individual BMC membership (I'm aware there will be arguments for it in favour of people who didn't go to university as well, but someone else can probably talk better on that perspective).