THE PORTSMOUTH RAMBLERS GROUP MINUTES OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
Held on 9th November at Liss Pavilion
The AGM commenced at 2.15 with 20 members present
Angie Bowman, Peter Rush, Bernie and Nigel Tulk, Malcolm Hagan, Liz and John Marshalsea, Mark Page, Jasper and George Stride, Ethel Thomed, Grace Boyce, Suzanne and Euan Thomas, Marion Haly, Barbara Cariss, Sheila Doherty, Peter Chilton, Kathy Bolton and David Nichols.
- CHAIRS INTRODUCTION
Peter welcomed us all to the AGM and thanked us for coming he explained how the meeting would be run.
2, APOLOGIES
Apologies were received from Ian Chander, Elaine Dekany, Evonne Copeland, Lesley Bement, Pauline Shorney, Fran MacEnri, Lesley Denham, Susan Rugg and Kenny Tiplady
3, MINUTES OF 2023 AGM
The Minutes of AGM on 18 November 2023 were unanimously agreed to be an accurate record.
Proposed by Nigel Tulk and Seconded by Kathy Bolton
4. MATTERS ARISING
David Nichols went on his railway trip and really enjoyed it. Roy and Ann also enjoyed their High Afternoon Tea, they have not used their voucher for Chichester Theatre yet, so they have this to look forward to. We had a Coach Trip; London Walk and Mince Pies and Mullen Wine as well as other social events which were enjoyed by all.
5. OFFICER ANNUAL REPORTS
The reports had been circulated to members in advance with the agenda so members had a chance to study them, and were shown at the meeting on the screen.
Chair
We are hoping to do another coach trip this year after the success of last year. Sherbourne or Shaftsbury on Sat 13 Sept.
We also hope to have another London Walk and Annual Meal in April.
We have had another successful year and Peter Rush thanked the committee for all their hard work.
Programme
Malcolm had nothing to add still the same as last year please can we have more walk leaders. SE Hants and Portsmouth will now coordinate short walks on Saturday with each group leading on alternate Saturday these walks will be advertised on both programme, We hope to start this in January and the dates will be agreed. Members asked if all walk leaders now have to complete a course and it was explained that only new leaders need to complete the online course. The course is available online if experienced leaders would like to complete the online course, but it is not a requirement. Risk assessments are no longer required to be completed,
First Aid kits have been brought and all walk leaders can have one if they want. There will be a First Aid training course on Friday 6th December to Portsmouth Rugby Club we have sharing this with SE Hants. We have 20 members signed up and if anyone would like to come, please give your name to Peter Rush.
Footpath
The probation service will now be helping to clear footpaths as HCC has cut all footpath contracts. We may find that we have problems with footpaths in the future.
If you find problems with stiles, please report direct to HCC website, take a photo and send it to them. Peter Rush has done this, and it has been sorted quickly.
Nigel Tulk had a problem with a man stopping him walking on the footpath, the man was very abusive and when Nigel logged this on the website he found that a lot of people had also had problems. This matter did later go to court as the man had got even more abusive. So please log these events.
Membership
Peter did hope to have ICE key fobs to give everyone, but they had to be sent back so they were not correct. He will give them out when they arrive.
6. ADOPTION OF ANNUAL REPORTS
All reports were adopted – unanimously agreed
7. ADOPTION OF THE ANNUAL ACCOUNTS
The Annual Accounts had been circulated in advance with the agenda, so members had a chance to study them, and were also shown on screen.
Peter Chilton, Treasurer, explained his report and formally presented the Annual Accounts for adoption.
Agreed unanimously.
Proposed by Angie Bowman and Seconded by Suzanne Thomas
8, ELECTION OF OFFICERS
Peter Rush asked if there were any volunteers for the vacant post, no one came forward.
All current Committee members had offered to continue in their roles, and this was unanimously agreed.
Proposed by David Nichols and Seconded by Nigel Tulk
9, PLANS FOR 2025
We will start with Sat Short Walks with SE Hants; we will have a London Walk and a Coach Walk. We will have Annual Meal. Bernie Tulk asked if members would like another Skittles Night as last year it was difficult to get numbers, Members have said that they would like one so we will give it another try.
David N said that he had been to Battersea Power Station in London, and this may be an idea for the London Walk.
Nigel asked if we need to advertise for new members as numbers on walks are not as good as in previous years with not many new members. Jasper asked if there are posters to promote ramblers and Peter Rush thought there were. Nigel thought it might be good to get some and promote our walks, some of the local shops do take posters. Along the South Downs Way there are cafes which might be a good place to put up posters.
10, NATIONAL AND AREA UPDATE
Last November Ramblers adopted a 10-year plan. This will change the focus of ramblers to wider community engagement. The age of ramblers is going up, so we need to address this. None of this is clear at the moment.
If you are volunteering with Ramblers, you must be registered on the website.
11, HANTS AREA GENERAL MEETING
Peter Rush brought our attention to the Cycle tracks act which may affect us in the future. It was agreed to support the proposed motion on this to Ramblers general Council in April
12. ANY OTHER BUSINESS
None
Meeting Closed at 3.30pm