AGM Minutes
Long Distance Walkers Association
Cleveland Group
Minutes of the Annual General Meeting
held on 13th October 2011 at The Fox Covert at 8.00pm
Members present: 14
1. Apologies for absence: Alan Robertson, Vince Thwaites, Pat Thwaites, Stan Radcliffe
2. Minutes. The Minutes of the 2010 AGM were circulated. Eva Bowes pointed out that Wendy Spreadbury had not actually been elected onto the Events Committee, and with that correction, the minutes were accepted as a true record. Proposed by Eva Bowes, seconded by Tom Pasco.
3. Matters Arising. There were no matters arising.
4. Chairman’s Report – David Wain
Well, 2011 is slowly drawing to a close – it doesn’t seem like 12 months has passed since the last report was presented. The year can be summed up in one word – goodbye!
Let me start with the Tandem. After 27 years, for some it was an emotional event, especially for Gerry Orchard who had completed them all. Some wanted to know when the club was going to resurrect the walk – even before it had died! In the main the comments were of an understandable appreciative nature – credit to the members of the club both past and present.
The second goodbye is of a physical nature. The equipment and lockup has served the club well but if we are only going to organise one event a year then it is an expensive overhead. A big thank you should go to Albert and his “secretary” Eva too for the work they have done arranging for the dispersing of surplus kit. And thanks to those who have stored the required equipment thus allowing the club to dispense with the cargo hold.
Finance seems to be prominent at the moment and so it is at this meeting. The Club funds are in a very healthy state at the moment and that is thanks, in part, to our Treasurer. However, Alan is standing down after several years in charge of the cheque book and on behalf of members of the club I thank him for all his hard work.
The Hanging Stone Leap event was well attended with a slight increase on entrants on last year. We had the usual ‘missing entrants’ but this was not a patch on what happened at the Smugglers Trod – there’s always somebody worse off than yourself!
Club members have supported other club and National events – remember the 100 and “Food Glorious Food”!
During the year we had talks at club meetings which we hope to continue during 2012. This is also an opportunity to thank all club members for their support at events and meetings. And finally to the other Club Officers for their ‘behind the scenes’ work throughout the year – a big thank you – particularly to those standing down.
So as we approach 2012 I conclude by misquoting the newly knighted Brucie – Keep Walking!
5. Secretary’s Report – Edith Moran
I attended the Local Groups Meeting at Conwy on behalf of the club. The main topic of discussion was whether or not we should have ballots for 100s. The organisers of the London event in 2012 decided they would have a ballot, according to the rules as agreed at an earlier AGM.
The Christmas Lunch was held on 18th December at the Fox and Hounds when 24 members attended. In contrast to last year’s walk which was flooded in places, this year’s walk was through deep snow and ice. Those of us who had brought our court shoes to change into after the walk, had some difficulty in negotiating the ice-covered car park to get into the hotel, but we all survived without incident. Thanks to Geoff for leading the walk.
Some of our group helped on the Housman 100, Tom and Carol on a drinks checkpoint and the rest helping Cumbria Group with the baggage at the breakfast point. In spite of our misgivings about the space available, we managed to stack all the baggage away leaving space in the hall for entrants to have breakfast. Congratulations to all who completed, and better luck next time for those who did not.
I am pleased to say that the claim against us by a lady who broke her leg at the start of the Tandem was dropped, as we all expected, but a relief to receive confirmation. It was not the reason for us deciding to drop the Tandem, but things like that do not help.
Thanks for all your support during the year.
6. Treasurer’s Report – Alan Robertson
A good year for the club’s finances with, as at the end of last year, a healthy bank balance (see accounts attached).
As can be seen in the detail, both the main events have resulted in a surplus.
The 2011 Tandem was the last to be held by the group. To commemorate this and to show the club’s support, it was agreed to donate any surplus from the event, up to £500, to the Great North Air Ambulance. The surplus was in fact £311 but the club agreed to donate the full £500 as its finances were healthy. The cause was one which, as long distance walkers, we may unfortunately need to call upon (though hopefully not!!). Generally, costs for the Tandem were in line with previous years except that minibus hire and fuel costs which were considerably higher.
The Hanging Stone income and surplus was broadly the same as in 2010. Costs were again reduced by not having to buy badges as enough for at least three years were bought previously at a reduced rate per badge. Food costs were higher as less was carried forward from the Tandem than in the previous year.
As can be seen in the detail, the General Account is in deficit. All monies advanced for the club’s weekend away have been repaid. The club’s ongoing running costs (mainly lockup rental and some equipment purchases) will be reduced in future years as, with the end of the Tandem, the club decided that it no longer needed the lockup for equipment storage. This will reduce running costs by in excess of £300 per year. Just under £200 was received from equipment sales prior to disposing of the lockup. A donation from the HOS 100 was gratefully received this financial year.
Thanks for all your support during the last year and here’s to another good year.
7. Walks Secretary – David Firth
We have had some good walks and my thanks go to those who have led for us. One was cut short due to very heavy rain and it was very misty at the start of another. We have walks booked until June next year. I am in touch with someone who will give us a talk next year on the Rosedale railway.
8. Event Committee Report – Eva Bowes, Carol Stather, Pat Thwaites
The 27th Tandem took place on 8th January 2011.The group had decided that this would be the final Tandem Cleveland LDWA would host. 97 teams had entered but due to the inclement weather only 79 teams and 10 individual actually started the event, with a number of retirees during the event. Two injuries occurred early in the event, one entrant sustaining a dislocated shoulder, the other a broken lower leg, contact has been made with both entrants since the event to check on progress. Both these accidents were entered into the accident book and reported to National Committee.
Hanging Stone, 13th August 2011. Another good event, 143 entries, 131 actually started on the day, There was the threat of early rain, however the weather turned out to be very kind to us, we experienced no problems and everyone appeared to have enjoyed the day. We had moved the event back a week to see what effect on numbers this would have, the numbers were only slightly up on last year. Next year’s event will take place on Saturday 4th August 2012, Guisborough Rugby Club has been booked.
Thanks to everyone who helped on the events.
9. Quartermaster’s Report – Albert Bowes
No major purchases in this financial year.
The Group decided not to run the Tandem after the 2011 event, it was realised that some equipment and the lock-up would no longer be required. Discussions took place at our monthly meetings on what to do with the items no longer required and it was agreed to offer these to club members via a sealed bid process. After this exercise was successfully carried out the rest of the redundant items were offered to other Groups, which again proved to be a successful exercise. The farmer agreed to keep the steel container (lock up) and no further rent would be required. The Group Secretary has confirmed this by letter and sent the spare key. The equipment required for the Hanging Stone has been stored by individual group members.
10. Website – Paul Yellow
Took over last year from Vince and have been adding information as received. Not as much time as I had since getting a new job. Some problems putting on photos and Secretary will take up this matter at Local Groups Meeting.
Chairman thanked everyone for their reports and their work throughout the year.
11. Election of Officers
Eva suggested that we do not need an Events Committee now we only have the one event and suggested we should have an Events Secretary. This was agreed.
Chairman: David Wain Proposed by Tom Pasco, seconded by Albert Bowes
Secretary: Edith Moran Proposed by Carol Stather, seconded by Eva Bowes
Treasurer: Carol Stather Proposed by Albert Bowes, seconded by Tom Pasco
Walk Secretary: David Firth Proposed by Eva Bowes, seconded by Tom Pasco
Quartermaster: Albert Bowes Proposed by Carol Stather, seconded by David Firth
Website: Paul Yellow Proposed by David Firth, seconded by Albert Bowes
Event Secretary: Eva Bowes Proposed by Geoff Smith, seconded by Edith Moran
All the above were elected unopposed.
The meeting closed at 8.45pm.