Richmond Ramblers

No

Minuted Item

Action

1.0

Welcome

1.1

The Chair, Alan Matthews, welcomed the members to the meeting and thanked them for their attendance.

Note

2.0

Chair’s Address

2.1

Alan thanked the officers and committee members for their efforts and support during the past year.

Note

2.2

Alan also thanked the Walk Leaders for their loyalty and hard work in the face of declining attendances. He welcomed their efforts in trying to search out new routes and try novel ideas to attract walkers, and made a particular mention of Andrew M and John K. It was also noted that shorter, local walks seem to be more popular.

Note

2.3

Thanks were also extended to the walks organisers for their efforts in trying to put together programmes to cater for a wide range of abilities. This was becoming increasingly difficult due to the shortage of leaders. The limited range of walks affects our reputation and contributes to the decline in numbers on walks.

Note

2.4

Contributions from the floor suggested that walk leaders try to engage with walkers on the topic of leading. They could offer to act as mentors and invite walkers to accompany them on recces. This was to be discussed in committee.

Committee

No

Minuted Item

Action

2.5

Alan reported that we now had an a reciprocal arrangement with Hammersmith, Fulham and Wandsworth Ramblers to put on joint walks. Alan has already led a joint walk and encouraged other leaders to do the same. This should result in a fuller programme. Existing walk leaders need to complete Ramblers online training courses before they can be registered as leaders for another group. In response to a query, Mavis W agreed to email leaders explaining how to access the courses.

Mavis W

2.6

Alan thanked Mavis W for overseeing the programmes and getting them ready for publication, and Johann M for their distribution.

Note

2.7

We had another successful summer picnic in June, preceded by a short walk in Bushy Park. The cooler weather this year made for a more comfortable experience.

Note

2.8

Data from the walk reports had been received by Alan from Elaine C. The analysis will be circulated to the committee once complete.

Alan

2.9

Alan informed the meeting that he is standing down as Chair, but is prepared to stand for re-election as Website Manager and Treasurer.

Note

3.0

Acceptance of the previous AGM’s minutes

3.1

The minutes of the previous meeting were accepted and signed by the Chair.

Note

4.0

Matters arising

4.1

There were no matters arising. Items marked for attention will be addressed under appropriate headings in these minutes.

5.0

Treasurer’s report

5.1

The Income and Expenditure Report was taken as read. Alan pointed out there was not a lot of expenditure. In response to a query, he explained there are restrictions on self funded activities, but we can pay for AGM expenses as the item comes out of donations. The group receives a donation when a group member books a holiday with Ramble Worldwide. These donations are regarded as self funded. David Low wondered if members are aware of this. Mavis W said there was a reminder in the Autumn Newsletter.

Note

No

Minuted Item

Action

5.2

Ramble Worldwide organisation has not recently had a named link for the group. Alan is now the link and there will be one other. The group will now receive communications from the organisation periodically. Mavis stressed the importance of having a second named link for reasons of continuity. Alan agreed to arrange this.

Alan

5.3

The Treasurer’s report was accepted

Proposed: Johann Martin Seconded: Irene Owen

6.0

Secretary’s report

6.1

In lieu of the Secretary’s report the Walks Programme Organiser’s report was discussed. Mavis pointed out that the programme statistics needed to be considered along with an analysis of the walk reports (see item 2.8).

Alan

6.2

The change to the pattern of our walking days was noted, with Wednesday having the highest number of walks instead of Saturday. In addition, most walks were in the autumn and winter months, with December and January having the highest number. We managed to put on 98 walks (including Tuesday and Thursday as Wednesday substitutes) out of a possible 156 (based on 3 walks per week). The percentage of walks achieved was 60% overall.

Note

7.0

Social Media report

7.1

This was taken as read in the absence of the Social Media Officer

Note

7.2

In response to a question from Mavis about ‘bluesky,’ Alan explained that it is an alternative to ‘X’, which is now in free-fall. Alan has set up a group account on ‘bluesky’ and posts feed through to the home page on our website.

8.0

Website Manager’s report

8.1

Alan reported that the website has had a major software upgrade. Alan has also taken the opportunity reorganise the website to make it more user friendly. Other updates have been handled by the support group at Ramblers-Web.

Note

8.2

Alan urged leaders to add photos from recces to their walk descriptions on the walks manager, or to send them to him to upload. It makes the walks more attractive.

Walk

leaders

No

Minuted Item

Action

8.3

During the coming year Alan is hoping to spend more time improving the website’s content.

Alan

9.0

Election of Officers

9.1

(a) Chair: Andrew Mckay

Note

Proposed: Johann Martin Seconded: Irene Owen

9.2

(b) Officers

Role

Name

Proposed

Seconded

Secretary

Elaine Clarke

Irene Owen

Gwyneth Hill

Treasurer

Alan Matthews

David Low

John Kemp

Membership Secretary

Johann Martin

David Low

Irene Owen

Social Media Officer

Elaine Clarke

John Kemp

Gwyneth Hill

Website Manager

Alan Matthews

Johann Martin

David Low

Footpath Secretary

John Beer

David Low

Liz Darby

Minute Secretary

Elaine Clarke

Irene Owen

Johann Martin

9.3

(c) Election of Committee

Liz Darby, Irene Owen, David Low, Gwyneth Hill, John Kemp and Anne Childs agreed to continue to serve on the Committee, and were duly elected.

Proposed: Mavis White Seconded: David Low

9.5

(d) Independent Examiner

An Independent Examiner has still not been found. However, there is a possibility we may have one soon. Both Alan and Elaine have someone in mind.

Alan &

Elaine

9.6

(e) Election of Group Representative on Surrey Area Council

John Kemp

Note

Proposed: Johann Martin Seconded: Gwyneth Hill

No

Minuted Item

Action

10

Any Other Business

10.1

Richmond European Exchange

Myriam Brunswick-Citron was unable to attend to speak about the celebration of the 65th anniversary of the first twinning between Fontainebleau & Konstanz, which will take place in Richmond from 6th – 8th June 2025. However, Gwyneth H put the case for RR using the opportunity to showcase the excellent green spaces in our area by putting on led walks during the celebration. Both Gwyneth and John K are willing to lead walks on the group’s behalf. Gwyneth has registered our interest.

Gwyneth

10.2

Presentation to NHS Retirement Fellowship

At the request of Alick Munro, Mavis has agreed to give a brief presentation about the group to the NHS Retirement Fellowship at Brentford Free Church on 26 February 2025.

Mavis

10.3 Gwyneth thanked Alan on behalf of the committee for his efforts to keep the group going. Gwyneth added that he should check his inbox for an emailed Eurostar voucher, which had been sent as a token of gratitude for his hard work.

Note

10.4 Andrew Mckay gave a short closing address to mark his election as Chair. Andrew explained that he is an experienced leader and he aims to increase the number of leaders and walks. Andrew is prepared to stand as Chair for two years. He would like committee meetings to be in person rather than on Zoom. The meeting venue has yet to be agreed. However, there is the possibility meetings could be at Elaine’s house. It was also suggested that committee members take turns to host, where possible.

Committee

11.0

Closure

11.1

There being no further business the meeting closed at 15:30hrs