Minutes of the Committee Meeting of Newark Ramblers held at South Muskham Village Hall on Thursday 18 July 2024
Present Joyce Pedersen Chair
Brigid Murphy Secretary
Caroline Lee Walks Coordinator
Margaret Shaw Treasurer
Chris Small Membership Secretary
Dave Johnson Footpath Officer
James McGill Area Representative
Jacqui Anderson Social Secretary
Peter Robinson Committee Member
1 Introduction and apologies
Apologies from Judy Price and Ken Martin.
2 Minutes of last meeting – matters arising not covered elsewhere on the agenda
None.
3 Reports from Officers
Individual reports from officers had been circulated in advance and gave rise to the following points. [Note: Brigid holds the reports and will supply copies on request.]
James and Dave attended Sue Rick’s funeral.
Nationally, there have been some suspensions of members/ volunteers (not from our group) for very serious behavioural issues. Only Ramblers Trustees (who head up the national organisation) have the power to suspend or terminate anyone’s membership.
A member is going to help Jacqui with getting in contact with the games café in Newark with a view to arranging a social event there if possible.
Since the last committee meeting, in addition to traditional Wednesday and Sunday walks, there have been two pie walks and a train walk. Committee was happy with the inclusion of Saturday strolls and wellbeing walks on the programme, the feeling being that these enhance our offering.
There are times when only one walk is offered on a Wednesday (as no-one has come forward to offer a second), and Caroline has made a point of asking walk leaders if they want to cap the number of walkers when this happens. Committee has agreed in the past that it is open to walk leaders to restrict numbers, and it was agreed that this is still acceptable. New walk leaders in particular should not feel they are expected to lead large numbers of walkers.
We are still not getting as many new walk leaders as we would wish and this means there are inevitably “gaps” in the programme. From talking with people from other groups it seems that Newark group is not alone in this, and we still offer a large number of walks compared with other groups of a similar size.
A Saturday stroll has been advertised as being suitable for all-terrain mobility scooters.
The postponed Area Council meeting will take place next week.
The new government has been quick to approve some large-scale solar projects, so there is a strong possibility that the GNR solar park may well also be approved. We need to be ready with any requests for footpath enhancements etc., and to push for mitigating measures. Dave needs some more volunteers, particularly in the North of the county, to catalogue existing footpaths. GNR have asked for comments by 16 August. Dave will approach individual members for assistance before 16 August, and will also consider asking walk leaders to put on walks along some of the paths involved (necessarily after 16 August, but there will hopefully be opportunity for ongoing discussion).
The Ramblers stand at the county show has not yet resulted in any new members for Newark group. Opportunities like this in the future should perhaps focus more on the footpath work that Ramblers does, rather than just on the group walking activities.
Action points:
- Dave to approach members individually to ask for assistance with cataloguing paths
4 Correspondence
A member has contacted Caroline about people not pre-registering for walks. Brigid has since put a reminder out with the walks programme. There is nothing more that can be done by committee on this issue.
5 Newark AGM 13 November
Newark library facilities (at £11 an hour) seem the most suitable venue, given that committee has previously agreed that a location in the town should be used this year if possible. Joyce will contact Inspire to book it and will also approach individual/s about leading a “figure of eight” walk around the town.
There will be vacancies on committee this year and it would be a good idea to flag this up to the membership sooner rather than later. Peter will help Brigid with the wording for an email to all members. At the next committee meeting we will have a slot on the agenda to discuss ideas for encouraging people to join the committee and to lead walks.
Action points:
- Joyce to book room at Newark library
- Joyce to approach individual/s about leading pre-AGM walk/s
- Peter to draft email about upcoming vacancies on committee
Next meeting:
- Brainstorm ideas for encouraging greater participation from members
6 Nottinghamshire Area AGM 2 February
Collingham Memorial Hall has been booked. Collingham group has not yet committed to helping, but has indicated that they might be able to put on one or two walks. Joyce knows of people who will be willing to make cakes, and Joyce has made suggestions to Area for speakers.
Four sub-groups are needed to lead on organisation of the day, with two or three people on each sub-group. Joyce will give Collingham group the opportunity to nominate one person from their group to each sub-group and, after receiving their response, will put out a request to Newark group membership. So far the following members of committee have indicated a willingness to be on the sub-groups:
Walks: Peter and Margaret
Cakes: Jacqui and Brigid
Entertainment: Caroline
General (including information about the area and the walks): Joyce
Action points:
- Joyce to contact Collingham group to ask for nominations to the sub-groups
- Joyce to draft a request to be put out to Newark group membership
7 Sports Day Event
The pavilion has been booked, individuals have agreed to help with the judging and scoring of the events, Jim will be bringing guests who will help with the setting up of the sports, Joyce is doing the food, and Jacqui will look after tea and coffee. Dave will lead a short (1 hour) walk at 5 pm, and sports will start at 6. Food will be available from 6. Dave will draft an advert to go out in the newsletter.
Action points:
- Dave to draft an advert and send it to Jacqui by the end of the week
9 Next meeting
19 September, 7pm, South Muskham Village Hall
BM
19 July 2024