REPORTS |
“The year started with a membership total of 45 and has remained close to this total for most of the year albeit with a late increase to the current total of 51. This is the second time club membership has ever reach 50.
A greater proportion of the membership now walks more frequently and with this increase we regularly have two cars for transport. Having more people on walks, in my view, helps to increase the enjoyment as there is more scope for banter and laughter. I think we are becoming a tighter knit group because of this. As Barbara Doyle put it “It’s just like being part of one big family”.
We talk from time to time about how big we want to become and the currently held view is that we would not want too many cars hitting some quiet village on a Sunday morning. So at the moment I don’t think we need to seriously think about this, but it would be interesting to hear people’s views.
Our first weekend away last year was to the Lake District at Easter (which fell after the AGM last year). Nine members attended this and we stayed in the impressive Derwentwater Youth Hostel overlooking the lake. A great place to stay but unfortunately not near a pub. This was followed by the trip to Pembrokeshire. There were only five of us for this trip which was a shame because the weather was fantastic and the tranquillity of the sea something to behold. Plus of course the glorious coastline scenery. In October we went to Malham in the Yorkshire Dales and this was the most successful trip we have ever had with a total of 18 attendees all together. Then we had the trip to the Yorkshire Moors in February attended by nine. Finally the visit last weekend to the lakes when we again had nine attendees plus fleetingly Stuart. So the weekends away are proving to be very successful.
For other social events, we have dropped the ten pin bowling and concentrated on meals out and these have been reasonably supported. The annual meal held a few weeks ago had 15 attendees. Thanks again this year to Dylan for the first aid training.
After some useful comments from Simon, I revamped the website over Christmas and it is now much easier to Google. Also we have arranged an alternative forum which does not have all the advertising we were getting on the last one. So hopefully those are improvements.
This year, I think for the first time for a while, all the positions in the committee were filled and I thank all the committee members for the work they have put in over the year. I am a firm believer in many hands make light work, so the more people on the committee the better (in most cases). Coming on to Cathy (and I would like to say that the last comment was not a reference to her), I would like to thank her for volunteering to help with the walk reports and I hope you enjoy reading them.
Amongst the trips for next year you will all be aware of the one to southern Ireland. With 13 people booked, this looks to be an indicator of another successful year to come. So I am looking forward to another year of fun and frivolity.”
Bev wished to relinquish her role as Transport Co–ordinater. In the absence of a volunteer Bev would continue until a replace was identified.
- Chairman – Alan Parsons
- General Secretary – Nigel Arkle
- Treasurer – Andy Williamson
- PR Representative – Jane Blackford
- Transport Co–ordinator – Bev Cutforth
- Route Planner – Stuart Cutforth
- Special Events Co–ordinator – Judith Neal
- Editor – Alan Parsons
- Membership Secretary – Graham Dear
