Well here we go again. Another edition of Pelobates and again my warmest gratitude goes out to those who have put a little effort into the club magazine. Now I think is the time for a whinge. One privilege of being editor is that there are times when you can use the magazine as a personal message system. For those uninterested - please turn over.
When sending out Pelobates last time I had a call from someone who shall remain nameless demanding (in rather brusque tones if I may say) where his copy was.
To the person who left that message on my answer phone here is why "your" Pelobates was late...
| Item | cost |
| Paper used for main body of text 2400 sheets | £0 |
| Envelopes used | £0 |
| Stuffing and sticking (3 hours) | £0 |
| Sorting and stapling (4 hours) | £0 |
| Printing (2 hours) | £0 |
| Photocopying (6 hours) | £0 |
| Postage | £31.20 |
| Cover card | £4.10 |
| Editorial time (18 hours) | £0 |
| Distribution | £0 |
Total time spent on production 33 hours or 4.8 man days.
Average cost of magazine £0.31p
Are you reading me loud and clear ? The editor puts up with a fair bit of stick from some members - though they are usually contributors, previous editors or in some way have a fair point. However. And I ask this both personally and in a wider sense - why are the real complaints from people who have never written anything ?
Answers on a postcard - funniest wins a bottle.
Whinge over.
In an effort to gain more articles your beloved [and now slightly happier] ed. Has decided to go proactive. Apart from the usual begging I will identify non contributors of note in this edition and nominate them for an article in the next episode. Hopefully the shame will generate a few lines..
Guidelines for "guest" contributors
Article: 500 words on disk. IBM PC format Word 6.0 or 7.0
Topic: To be announced
To all my usual contributors I once again thank you - your reward is as ever the contented silence that falls upon the cottage when the mag gets handed out. It is not my work they lap up with glee - it is yours. Keep up the good work.
On to less mundane matters. This episode contains no less than 3 articles of members caving overseas. A good sign no less. Again they are of the quality and interest we have come to expect - Spain and Germany as well as Slovakia. The club does get about a bit...
Enjoy
Simon Davies
In the next edition of Pelobates...
· Guest writer ANDY TODD will provide an article of his choice !
· Trip reports from:-· Spain
· West Wales
· Slovenia
· Scotland (and Peru)· Controversy
· Book reviews
Now is the chance to reserve YOUR copy available at the annual dinner. Mainly by just turning up !