Annual General Meeting 2014
MINUTES OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
CUMBRIA GROUP LDWA
HELD ON 19.10.14 AT 17.00
OLD WATER VIEW HOTEL, PATTERDALE
PRESENT:
Andy Armstrong, Frank Barker, Helen Beatham, Neil Beatham, Barrie Blenkinship (Acting Chairman), Roger Burgin, Ann Crockett, Jim Crockett (Treasurer), Tony Deall (Group Secretary), Clare Edgar, Dave Evans, Pat Evans, Derek Heatherington, Louise Smith (Walks Secretary), Ian Whitehead.
APOLOGIES:
Paul Hatcher, John Potts, Martyn Smith, Richard Unwin, Shaun Williams,
MINUTES OF 2013 AGM:
These were read and agreed as a true record.
MATTERS ARISING:
No matters arising
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT:
Copy Attached.
Barrie as acting Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting and wished Paul a speedy recovery.
He mentioned the successful Three Rings event and wished Neil success as he took over as Secretary for the Event.
GROUP SECRETARY’S REPORT:
Copy Attached.
Tony reported that membership had increased to 34. He was prepared to stand for a tenth and final year.
WALKS SECRETARY’S REPORT:
Copy attached.
Louise gave a full report on the year’s programme.
TREASURER’S REPORT
Copy Attached.
Jim reported a balance of £3335 with a further increase of £998 to the Group’s account from last year. He proposed that Group funds should be used again to cover the cost of the AGM dinner as a gesture of thanks to all those who have helped at the Three Rings.
GROUP MEMBERSHIP FEE 2013/14:
The Treasurer proposed that the membership fee should be discontinued. After discussion it was agreed unanimously that it should continue at the current rate of £5.
CHARITABLE DONATIONS:
It was agreed to donate £100 again to the Northern Air Ambulance Appeal and £200 to the Penrith Mountain Rescue Team in view of their help and support at this year’s Event.
QUARTERMASTER’S REPORT
Copy attached
Barrie noted his intention to stand down after next year’s Three Rings and hoped that someone would come forward to take over after the Event.
ELECTION OF OFFICERS:
All Committee members were prepared to stand for a further year and were elected unanimously.
THREE RINGS OF SHAP:
Report attached.
Tony reported another successful Event and a full report is on the website. There had been a record 237 entries with 199 starters of whom all completed at least one Ring and 65 (48%) all three Rings. Neil gave a brief summary of progress so far for next year’s Event which will be held on 13th June 2015. An electronic timing and recording system from Sportident will be used which should result in a significant decrease in workload. Entry fees have been increased to cover the cost of using this system.
AWAY WEEKEND 2014/2015:
Jim reported a successful walk along the White Peak Way in the Buxton area by five members including Richard who again acted as bag transporter.
Jim again agreed to organise a route for next year with the help of Andy. A possible location might be the Borders at the end of September. The possibility of a self catering holiday possibly on Arran was also discussed.
ANY OTHER BUSINESS:
(a) Tony suggested that it might be a good idea to contact both Group members and non members by email a few days before a walk to remind them of the details. Louise agreed to look into this.
(b) Roger reported that he had been requested by a member of the newly formed Lakeland Group to run their Events under Cumbria Group’s name. It was thought there was little point to this but we would await a formal request and offer help on an individual basis if requested.
(c) Tony reported that he had agreed on behalf of the Group to provide support at Checkpoint 1 of next year’s Red Rose 100 on 23rd May 2015 in conjunction with the Lakeland Group.
DATE AND TIME OF NEXT MEETING:
This and a venue will be decided by the Committee in due course.
MEETING CLOSED AT:….18.15.........
SIGNED ……A M DEALL (Group Secretary)…
CHAIRMAN'S REPORT
Thank you all for all that you have done to keep the group active over the last year. Louise took on the task of organising the walks programme and has done an excellent job, thanks to all those that have lead walks. Tony has kept us up to date with matters concerning the LDWA in general and once again completed the mammoth task of organising the Three Rings. As well as keeping the books in good order Jim organised the away trip to walk the White Peak Way for a small band of the group who were able to make the trip. My thanks also go to Jim for stepping in to lead my walk this year after first me and then Claire had to pull out.
The Three Rings this year saw our largest entry and was an undoubted success. After ten years Tony, Barbara, and Barrie wished to step down from organising and catering the event and I think it’s fair to say that most of us in the group wanted to step back from the pressure that the event put on us as a small group over that weekend. I thank you all for all the time and effort involved. Neil has agreed to take over as main organiser and a number of others have agreed to help him. Neil has his own ideas of how to go about this and I’m sure he will outline these to us later. Tony has said that he will be on hand to help out if and when needed and I am sure that most of us wish him well and will still be on hand to help out if duties can be condensed into single shifts.
I do hope that I will be able to make an appearance at a walk some time during the New Year as this year has been a complete drought and apart from a few short walks with Mary during our holiday in Chamonix, or when out Geocaching, I have done very little. I thank Today’s walk leader, Neil, and Ian for hosting this meeting and I am sure that you will enjoy the meal and the evening later.
GROUP SECRETARY'S REPORT
My report last year indicated that it would be the last. Perhaps unsurprisingly there has not been a rush of volunteers to succeed me so I am prepared to continue for a tenth year after which I will definitely stand down. The Group is changing and thankfully there is a nucleus of new, younger and keen members to take it forwards.
The committee is gradually changing to reflect this and it is with great pleasure that I welcome Neil on board as the new Event secretary for the Three Rings of Shap.Barrieis leaving the Committee after a marathon stint of 16 years in various roles and the Group owes him a massive vote of thanks for all the work and commitment he and Barbara have put in during this time.
Membership has grown slightly and stands nominally at 34 though as usual a few of these are now rarely seen. A warm welcome is extended to those who have joined since last year.
The year has been generally quiet again apart from the successful 10th running of the Three Rings of Shap. A report on this will follow shortly. I was not able to attend last year’s Local Groups Representative meeting and it has been decided that there will not be a meeting this year.
It is interesting that after last year’s decision not to consider a closer association with neighbouring Groups a newLakelandgroup has been formed by the merging of the other two groups in the area. I am sure that we all wish them every success for the future.
The website continues to be our main link with the outside world and I endeavour to keep it up to date and interesting. I am happy to continue with this but do need a continuing supply of walk reports and pictures etc in order to do this.
WALK SECRETARY'S REPORT
2014 has been a good year for Cumbria LDWA walks programme. Attendance has ranged from 7 to an incredible 19 for the Ring 1 Marshals’ walk in March. This must be a group record! The walks have embraced a variety of areas, including, the Lake District, the North Pennines, Brampton and Hadrian’s Wall, the Eden Valley and Dumfriesshire.
Thanks must go to Clare who has been ‘leader of the year’ for the group; stepping in on several occasions when the advertised leader has not been able to fulfil their commitment – on two occasions this has been me!
October: Last year’s AGM walk led by Tony in the Coledale valley area was bracing to say the least. Remaining upright on Grisedale Pike was a serious challenge due to the incredible strength of the wind! I think our visitor from the Isle of Wight LDWA was completely traumatised.
November: Clare led the first walk of the 2013/2014 season in Tony Richmond’s stead, which was a high level circuit of the fells around Haweswater on a blustery but bright November day.
December: The Mince Pie walk led by Derek in December headed out East from Carlisle was an epic 20 miler, before returning to Newfield Drive for Stella’s excellent Christmas fare!
January and February: Clare saved the day in January for my ‘Caldbeck Constitutional’ walk, which attracted 15 walkers and then led her ‘Annandale River Walk’ in February. Mud featured heavily on this one!
March: The Ring 1 Marshals’ Walk in March had a hair-raising start, with stepping stones encountered early on along the route and a few wet feet! After leaving Mosedale Cottage, the group encountered snow on the ascent to Branstree. Mud was again the order of day during the final part of the walk, as this involved an incredibly muddy horse field.
April and May: April saw Andy’s exploration of the South Tyne Trail and surrounding area between Lambley and Alston and Ian led May’s walk from Old Dungeon Ghyll in Langdale to take in a number of tops on the other side of the valley, including Pike ‘o’ Blisco, Bow Fell, Esk Pike and Crinkle Crags. Both of these walks attracted 10 walkers.
July: July saw Clare retrieving the situation again for me, after my knee obstinately decided not to co-operate, by leading the epic ‘Old Crown Round.’ I lost count of the times I regretted putting that one in the programme! Would someone kindly volunteer to lead in July 2015, as I’m not going to be responsible for that one again! It was a great day, with fine views with certificates and badges for all completers of the full round.
August: Unfortunately, Ian’s August walk in the Cross Fell area was cancelled due to poor weather conditions.
September: Clare stepped in again to lead Paul’s ‘Time for Tea’ Mk10 in the Brampton area, with the route taking in a short section of the Hadrian’s Wall path. After a successful recce with Jim; Clare ended up with an injury and the walk was led by Jim. The tea afterwards at Irthington Park was, as ever, delicious. I was present at the tea, if not the walk!
A few statistics:
Over the 10 walks, we have had: 101 walkers (68 of which have been members and 33 visitors)
Highest number of walkers: 19 on the Marshals’ Ring 1 Walk in March
The walks have totalled c. 175 miles
Thanks to all the leaders and particularly to the stand in leaders.
Hopefully the 2015 season will be just as successful. Please let me know if you would like to lead a walk or have an idea for a walk for the group. It is always interesting to vary the areas where walks take place. 2015 is looking good so far in terms of variety; Scotland is certainly featuring on the programme with the Lagholm Hills walk in February, led by Ann and Stuart and Una’s Galloway Hills walk in April.
Happy walking to all in 2015!
Louise Smith
October 2014
TREASURER'S REPORT
As always we are thankful for support of members and wives, relatives and friends for assistance on the Three Rings of Shap both on the day and in the lead up to the event .
This year has once again seen a healthy increase in our funds.
As agreed at 2013 AGM payments of £100 were made to Great North Air Ambulance and Ambleside and Langdale Mountain Rescue .
This year we purchased most of the checkpoint food from an outside caterer with a total cost of £1095.60 .
The charge for the hall for 2014 event was as previous years £195 although we have been informed there will be an increase for 2015.
The tent for checkpoint on ring 3 was hired at a cost of £180.
After taking this expenditure into account, our bank balance has increased by £998.31 on last year.
The membership fee of £5 I feel is no longer necessary and I propose that it be discontinued.
Finally in view of the continuing healthy financial position of the group, the Group will cover the cost of this evening’s meal as a “thank you” to everyone who has helped at this year’s and previous years Three Rings of Shap event.
QUARTERMASTER'S REPORT
Inventory of Group Stock stored at Blencarn
HQ/Checkpoint Equipment
9 - Water Containers Badges
1 – Hose for filling above 0 - One Ring
17 - Water Jugs 41 - Two Rings
2 - Thermos Flasks 59 - Three Rings
8 - Self Clips
14 - Foil Food Trays
1 - pack Disposable Gloves
2 - packs Hand Wipes
1 - skein of String Miscellaneous
150 - disposable plastic cups 4 - Road Signs
280 - Polythene Overshoes 1 pack 50 Laminating pouches
27 - Hi-Viz Vests 1 Laminator
Kitchen Equipment
2 - Microwave Ovens
2 - Toasters
8 - Mixing Bowls (large)
12- Mixing Bowls (medium)
9 - Storage Containers
110 -SandwichWedges
1 - Can Openers
1 - roll Cling Film
500 - Plastic Teaspoons
Tea Towels
Quantity of biscuit tins
