Awards

Every year, we like to present some of our members with prizes for things they have achieved over the course of the year. From the outstanding to the outright ridiculous, here are some of the many awards we give out every year at the Christmas meal or AGM:

The Graham Connell Memorial Award

Graham Connell was an experienced, respected hiker and one of LUUHC’s longest serving members, receiving honorary lifetime membership for his exemplary leadership commitment to the club. On a club trip to the Cairngorms in 2013, Graham lost his life attempting to lead a group to safety in horrendous conditions. This award was established (made from Graham’s last whiskey bottle) to remember Graham and to recognise the importance of teaching essential outdoor skills. The award is presented to a member who has given long-standing support and dedication to the club, teaching skills and encouraging participation.

Previous winners of this award:

2013-2014: Matt Fuller

2014-2015: Eliot Bianco

2015-2016: Steve Hutton

2016-2017: Michael Bonnalie

2017-2018: Emma Cooper

2018-2019: Adam Collins

2019-2020: James Nicholson

2021-2022: Joe Lawley

2022-2023: Sarah Organ

2023-2024: Callum Starling

Leader of the Year

Club members vote for their favourite hike leader of the year. Current holder of the award:

2019-2020: Oli Yates

2021-2022: Harry Tong and Alice Houldcroft

2022-2023: Sarah Organ

Sunday Hike Leader of the Year

Club members vote for their favourite Sunday hike leader of the year. Current holder of the award:

2019-2020: Adam Wade

2021-2022: Emma Johnstone

2022-2023: Tom Appleton

2023-2024: Grace McGuigan

Summer/Weekend Leader of the Year

2023-2024: Harry Walker

Winter Leader of the Year

2023-2024: Liz Atkinson

Hardcore Hiker

Official recognition for being the most determined, gritty hiker in the club. Awarded to the hiker who only chooses 20km routes with grade 3 scrambles and doesn’t get put-off by walking in 50mph winds and torrential rain, this award isn’t for the faint-hearted.

2019-2020: Emma Johnstone

2021-2022: Sophie Watson

2022-2023: Amy George

2023-2024: Joe Marsden

Keen Bean

Awarded to the hiker who has been most committed to trips throughout the year – from Sunday trips, to weekend trips, being eager to take part, help out and have fun are the key qualities to winning this award.

2021-2022: Sian Edwards

2022-2023: Elise Gill

2023-2024: Alina Hillebrand

Socialite

Notorious for being the most sociable, chattiest and often drunkest member of the club. Although the winner of this award may not necessarily go on all the hikes, they wouldn’t miss a Thursday social or Otley run for the world.

2021-2022: Alice Annetts-Smith

2022-2023: Meegan Worcester

2023-2024: Bryn Barker

Fear Conqueror

Hiking and scrambling isn’t always easy when you’re afraid of heights. This award is presented to someone who’s made themselves proud and conquered something they were afraid of. Good on ya’!

Quote of the Year

Awarded to the member who has said the most inspirational, stupid, outlandish or hilarious thing on a hike or at a social at some point over the course of the year.

2022-2023: Harry Tong

2023-2024: Imogen Wadlow

Funniest Moment

For the funniest gaff, the most amusing moment or the most hilarious situation, this award is presented to the funniest person in the club.

2023-2024: Steffan Pardoe

Photo Competition

We have plenty of keen photographers in the club. We get entries for group shots, action shots, and landscapes. There can only be one winner though.

2021-2022: Matt Unwin

2022-2023: Chloe Parr

2023-2024: Natasha Griffiths

The Chocolate Teapot Award

It always happens. Someone does something so incredibly stupid, we’ll never let them forget it. This award is for them.

2022-2023: Dom Cooper, Richard Wills, Liam Teggin, Martin Smith