Minutes of the Newark Ramblers Committee Meeting held at Oscar's Inn, Baldertongate on Tuesday 13 May 2025
Present Alan Burrell Chair
Brigid Murphy Group Secretary
Margaret Shaw Group Treasurer
Chris Small Membership Secretary
Peter Robinson Committee Member
1 Introduction and apologies
Apologies had been received from Caroline Lee, Dave Johnson, Jacqui Anderson, James McGill, Judy Price, Adele Burrell, Stephen Swanwick, Ken Martin. It was confirmed that the meeting was quorate; three members form a quorum in accordance with our constitution. Reasons had been provided for non-attendance by those providing apologies and committee was content with these.
2 Minutes of last meeting – matters arising not covered elsewhere on the agenda
Alan had fed back as requested to the Chair of the Board of Trustees on the Governance Review currently being undertaken.
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.]
Area has asked for some standardisation of group reports, and groups have been asked, as a trial, to start their reports with some specific stats about their group walks. As Newark group uses the Ramblers App for registering walkers, Brigid will contact Central Office about being given access to the stats requested on member and non-member numbers attending walks. Caroline will be able to provide details on the number of group walks and mileage.
Caroline, as Walks Coordinator, will attend the next Area Council meeting where the recruitment of walk leaders will be a topic for discussion.
Governance changes were discussed at the recent Area Council meeting, but these are still under consideration as part of the ongoing Governance Review.
In July Margaret will need to submit our budget and bid for funds for next year. The basic allocation will probably be sufficient for next year, but Brigid will issue a member email asking people to submit any outstanding expenses claims. Committee considers that it is important for reasons of inclusivity that members should know that expenses claims within the rules are encouraged.
It was thought to be worth reminding members that Dave is willing to help with footpath issues and questions.
Following the successful Church Stretton holiday Lynn and Nick Roulstone have been contacted by HF magazine suggesting they may be interested in an article for a future issue. Alan has given his contact details to HF if they wish to follow up.
Action Points:
- Brigid to contact Central Office about accessing walk stats through the Insight Hub.
- Brigid to issue member email after the meeting to include a request for outstanding expenses claims and to remind members that Dave is happy to be contacted about footpath problems and questions.
4 Correspondence
None.
5 Sports Day
We will be holding our popular Fun Sports Day again this year on Monday 4 August. The Tom Mann Pavilion at Devon Park has been booked at a cost of £20, which leaves £110 of outstanding legacy funds for spending on refreshments. Jacqui will be consulted about organising these.
Action Point: Brigid to speak to Jacqui about refreshments for Sports Day.
8 AOB and next meeting
- NK Walking Festival
It was agreed that the North Kesteven Walking Festival leaflet should be circulated to members. A number of the walks are likely to appeal to Newark Ramblers members, with walk leaders including historians, Wildlife Trust employees and others. The festival is supported by Ramblers.
Action Point: Brigid to include NK Walking Festival Flyer in her email to members.
- Deputy Officers
Committee members will be asked to consider anything they or individual members do that no-one else can easily take over or cover for them, for discussion at the July meeting.
- Post-meeting addition to notes
A date and venue for our AGM in November will need to be agreed at the July meeting.
To discuss at July meeting: Deputy Officers and AGM
- Next meeting: Monday 21 July
BM
14 May 2025