Minutes of the Newark Ramblers Committee Meeting held at Oscar's Inn, Baldertongate on Monday 13 July 2026

Present            Alan Burrell               Chair

                          Brigid Murphy           Group Secretary

                          Janet Palmer            Treasurer

                          Chris Small               Membership Secretary

                          Caroline Lee             Walks Coordinator

                          Stephen Swanwick  Assistant Walks Coordinator

                          Peter Robinson        Committee Member

                          Dave Johnson          Footpaths Officer (by phone)

1. Apologies

James McGill, Adele Burrell, Jacqui Anderson.

2. Minutes of last meeting – matters arising not covered elsewhere on the agenda

There were no updates about a possible ceilidh this year. The wording in the welcome letter for new members is still to be updated. All other action points have been completed.

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.]

Caroline reported that fewer walks than usual have been added to the system for August. Everyone agreed that there was no need to press people to put on walks – if we have a reduction in the number of walks we offer we are only returning to the position from some years ago. No-one has so far expressed an interest in taking on the walks coordinator role.

Dave advised that he and Caroline had been to see a footpath in Claypole that has been deliberately blocked at one end and at the other end a footbridge is broken and appears to have been vandalised. He has reported it to Lincolnshire Council.

Jacqui had emailed that the meals out are still proving popular. Penny has very kindly hosted two recently. Pamela organized a recent trip to Buttermere which was a success and was enjoyed by everyone who attended, thanks to Pamela and also to Dave Roberts who planned and led walks that accommodated everyone. They also had a talk about mountain rescue from a local group who cover the area 

4. AGM and Officers

Caroline and James are standing down from their roles and from committee. Steve is standing down from his role as assistant walks coordinator but is willing to stay on committee without portfolio. Everyone else present is willing to stand for re-election. Once the minutes are agreed Brigid will issue an email to all members asking for volunteers to put themselves forward for election to the roles that will be becoming vacant.

Steve offered to lead one of the pre-AGM walks this year.

Action Point: Brigid to email all members before the end of July asking people to consider volunteering for officer vacancies arising in November.

5. Sports Day

The annual fun sports event put on by Jim Baker will be on 11 August, with the pavilion opening at 5pm. Tea, coffee, juice and biscuits will be provided. Caroline has some supplies from past events that she will hand over to Alan, and these can be added to, using self-funded monies from previous social events. Alan will take responsibility for bringing refreshments, Chris and Adele will look after the pavilion on the evening, and Peter will lead a short walk beforehand from 4.45 to 5.45. He will add the walk to the walks manager system. Dave will draft an email invitation for Brigid to send out to members emphasising that people need to bring their own food.

Action Points:

Alan to purchase refreshments for Sports Day;

Peter to add pre-sports walk to walks manager;

Dave to draft email invitation to be sent to all Newark Ramblers members.

6. Correspondence

James has tendered his resignation, which is a sad loss to committee, who are very grateful for his contribution over the years. Recently, he has been a great help  to Dave on footpath matters and to Alan at Area meetings.

Caroline has received an email from Sue Carne who is still unable to walk and so has had to pull out from walks she had been planning to lead later in the year.

7. Health and Safety

There were no incidents to report. An email has been received from Central Office about being particularly careful in hot weather.

8. Mileage Rates

It was decided that mileage rates for expenditure claims will be increased to the HMRC approved rates notified by Central Office. Janet will contact Roger to arrange for the expenses claim form to be amended accordingly. Volunteers are aware that they can make claims and so no further reminder is thought to be necessary at this time.

Action Point: Janet to ask Roger to amend the expenses claim form on the Newark Ramblers website.

9. First Aid Training

Groups are being encouraged by Central Office to offer First Aid training, but Janet has looked into courses and found that any certified courses, even with the discount available to Ramblers, cost more than our funds can bear. However, there are free online courses available which do not come with certification. After discussion it was agreed that Janet would contact Southwell group to find out what they are doing and how they are funding it, as they are understood to be putting training on for their walk leaders. One option would be to do one of the free online courses as a group, and this would only cost the hire of a room – the rooms at the Buttermarket are suitable and affordable. Alan would be happy to help Janet organise a session and to lead it. It was agreed that there would be no expectation on walk leaders to do any training we are able to offer, or for people who have attended to act for the group as official first aiders. The purpose would be for walk leaders who thought it would help them to feel better prepared in the event of an incident on a walk.

Action Points:

Janet to contact Southwell group, and to discuss with Alan the online options available, with a view to Janet and Alan arranging a group first aid training session.

10. Proposed Viking Way Walk

Dave Roberts had offered to lead a group from Newark Ramblers in walking the Viking Way, with the first few sections involving public transport and taking place on consecutive days, and a few nights stop over. Committee were grateful to Dave and happy for this to be presented to members as a Newark Ramblers activity, but it would have to be advertised publicly for Dave to be covered by Ramblers liability insurance. Brigid would discuss with Dave how he would prefer for it to be publicised, and the implications of the various methods available.

During the course of the discussion it emerged that not all volunteers are aware of the Ramblers liability and personal accident insurance that covers volunteers while carrying out their roles. Caroline will draw walk leaders’ attention to this.

Action Points:

Brigid to discuss with Dave Roberts, and then contact members to establish interest in joining a group walking the Viking Way.

Caroline to draw attention to Ramblers insurance in her next email to walk leaders.

11. AOB

1. On guidance for leading walks in extreme temperatures, Caroline has been contacting leaders two or three days in advance of their walks, to ask if they want to cancel in view of the heat. Where leaders have gone ahead, most have curtailed or changed the route and all have ensured frequent breaks. Walkers are also being sensible and cancelling if appropriate.

1. Caroline will be away for the next committee meeting so this was her last one. She has been on the committee for five years and walks coordinator for three. Alan thanked her for all that she has done.

12. Date of next meeting

The next meeting will be on Tuesday 15 September.

BM

14 Jul. 26