Sudbury & District Group, The Ramblers Association

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=90 BGCOLOR="#CC9900" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="044005a0dwnjzk.gif"> <div> <B>Sudbury & District Group, The Ramblers Association</B></div> <bR> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" width=210 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <B><IMG SRC="0679da10.jpg" border=0 width="157" height="161" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <bR> <div> <B>The Ramblers' Association is a company limited by guarantee,registered in England and Wales.  CompanyRegistration No.4458492</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>The Ramblers' Association is a registered charityin England and Wales r</B><B>egistration No. 1093577</B></div> <div> <B>Registered Office: 2nd Floor Camelford House, 87-90 Albert Embankment, London SE1 7TW</B></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id17.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Our Walks Programme"><U><B>Our Walks Programme</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id18.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Related Links"><U><B>Related Links</B></U></A></div> </td> <td valign="top" height=390 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <div> Welcome to the  web site of the Sudbury & District Group, The Ramblers Association.</div> <bR> <div> Do you think that Ramblers are heavily booted, heavily rucksacked individuals who aim to cover twenty miles in threehours?   Then you've got it all wrong!   The Sudbury Group feel that the Suffolk countryside is there for us to enjoy and appreciate.   For these reasons our pace is moderate and our walks are usually around five miles.   We are a friendly group and anyone is more than welcome to join us, to see who we are, to enjoy our county's scenery and discover some of our hidden gems that would never be seen from the road.</div> <bR> <div> To find out details of our walks, either 'phone the walk leader or contact us by email to the Secretary:</div> <div> frankjconnolly@btinternet.com</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <U>About the Ramblers' Association</U></div> <bR> <div> The principal objectives of the Ramblers' Association are to promote walking activities and to protect paths and rights of way for the whole community to enjoy.   We also feel that we help to preserve and protect the environment for future generations.   We do not inherit the countryside from our forbears but borrow it from our children and grandchildren.</div> <div> Another objective is simply to enjoy ourselves in the countryside and engender a sense of fun and companionship.   Hopefully this arises spontaneously on our walks.</div> <bR> <div> <I><B><U>Walk Safely </U></B></I> Before you undertake any walk, please makle sure you are fit and able to walk the distance involved and are wearing suitable footwear.   Walks leaders will try to ensure that the walk is safe but it is your resonsibility to act in a way that will minimise the potential for accidents to occur.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Footpath Problems?</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Should you have any problems with footpaths i.e. obstructions, overgrown, or not re-instated after agricultural activity, they can be reported to our Group Footpath Secretary:</B></div> <div> <B>Margaret King  01787 280996</B></div> <div> <B>or</B></div> <div> <B>The Western Area Rights of Way Officer, Suffolk County Council, Coach House, Shire Hall</B></div> <div> <B>Bury St Edmunds, IP33 1RX.   Tel: 01284 352428/9</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Dogs   </B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#111111" FACE="Times New Roman" ><B>Please note that in accordance with the policy of the Ramblers' Association, all dogs should be kept on leads at all times and the owner should walk at the rear of the group</B></FONT></div> <bR> <div> <B>To keep members informed, here is the draft of our AGM to be presented to members for adoption on Saturday 14th November 2009.</B></div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B><U>ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING HELD IN ST GREGORY'S CHURCH HALL SUDBURY SUFFOLK AT 1100 ON 15 NOV 08</U></B></div> <bR> <div> <B><U>DRAFT MINUTES</U></B></div> <bR> <div> <U>Present</U>:</div> <bR> <div> Mr Philip Snelling          Chair</div> <div> Mr Frank Connolly          Secretary</div> <div> Mr Brian Penson          Treasurer</div> <div> Mr David Taylor          Programme Secretary</div> <div> Mr Iain Taylor          Membership Secretary</div> <div> Mrs Ingrid Kay          Travel Organiser</div> <div> Mrs Margaret Taylor     Member</div> <div> Mrs Margaret Connolly     Member</div> <bR> <div> <U>Item 1.  Opening remarks and apologies</U></div> <bR> <div> 1.     Philip welcomed all to the meeting.  There were apologies from Margaret King, Footpath Secretary, John King, Jane Penson and Brian Leitch.  In addition to the Committee, 15 members were present.  Philip thanked Margaret Tracey for providing tea, coffee and biscuits before the meeting. [Secretary note:  Barbara Stewart tendered her apologies after the meeting] </div> <bR> <div> <U>Item 2.  Approval of minutes of the AGM on 17 Nov 07 </U></div> <bR> <div> 2.     Philip summarized the minutes which were proposed for acceptance by Margaret Taylor and seconded by Jill Leitch.  Philip signed the minutes as approved.</div> <bR> <div> <U>Item 3.  Matters arising from minutes of the AGM on 17 Nov 07</U></div> <bR> <div> 3.     There were no matters arising.  </div> <bR> <div> <U>Item 4 - Officers' Annual Reports</U>.</div> <bR> <div> 4.     <U>Chair</U>.  Philip thanked all officers and members who had supported the running of a successful Group, and all walk leaders, who had contributed to this year's programme.  Generally, walks had been held on alternate Sundays and Wednesdays, with two coach trips for walks in CityLondon and on the north placeCityNorfolk coast. </div> <bR> <div> 5.     The Group was involved in 2 visits abroad, one in May 08 to Hoexter in country-regionGermany, with which CitySudbury is twinned, and the second in Sep 08 to placecountry-regionDenmark as guests of the twin town's walking group.  The Group was made very welcome and everyone enjoyed the trip.  We were expecting a return visit from the Danes next year, and three dates had been offered, 15-17 May, 17-19 Jul and 18-20 Sep 09.  Ingrid said that the Danes were holding a meeting to decide the preferred date on 17 Nov 08.  Anyone willing to accommodate and host the guests and help with the arrangements for the visit should get in touch with Philip or Ingrid.  </div> <bR> <div> 6.     Philip said that the next edition of the Area News will be published in Feb 09 and the editor, Tim Cavell, would welcome before the end of Dec 08 any walk related articles and photographs.  The Committee would also welcome ideas for walks or other activities and new volunteers to join the committee.</div> <bR> <div> 7.     <U>Treasurer</U>.     Brian presented the accounts for 07/08, which had been audited by Mr David Camp, certified as properly prepared to give a true and fair view.  Brian reviewed the accounts, whose Area allocation was based on an annual bid rather than the previous capitation rate per member.  The 2 coach walks had generated a small surplus through good budgeting by Lesley Pilbrow and David Taylor.  Interest had also continued to be significantly better with the Unity Bank.  The gratuities included the Auditor's £20 fee, which he requested be donated to UPBEAT, the charity that supports those recovering from heart problems in the West of Suffolk.  Expenses included the purchase of a software programme called Tracklogs, which, David Taylor explained, was a good tool for planning walks within a 40 mile radius of Bury St Edmunds.  It was available from him to load onto PCs.  Overall, Brian stated that there was a healthy closing bank balance of £1527.04, which would be considered slightly on the high side under Charity Commission rules and therefore future allocations from Area might be reduced.  Iain Taylor proposed and Margaret Connolly seconded the accounts for approval.  Philip confirmed the approval of the accounts and thanked Brian for a job well done over his 5 year tenure as Treasurer, from which he was standing down this year.</div> <bR> <div> 8.     <U>Footpath Secretary</U>.  In the absence of Margaret King, Philip and David reviewed the report from Margaret, whose area of responsibility covered 39 parishes, dealing with new paths, path obstructions, missing signposts and way-marks, unsafe styles and rights of way issues and planning applications.  David advised that he had attended with Margaret King a meeting with Mr T O'Connell, consultant to Sudbury Town Council, who was developing a placeCitySudbury circular walk of about 12 miles through Long Melford and Chilton.  However, the completion of the 12 mile circular walk relied on the purchase of 400 yard strip at Cornard Mill at Sudbury Common, owned by the Sudbury Angling Association, who were currently not prepared to sell the strip to Babergh Council.  The Council had offered to exchange the strip with placePlaceNameLady PlaceTypeIsland at Friar's Meadow, but compulsory purchase had not been ruled out.  In addition, David had proposed a 33 mile outer walk, using public transport to complete stages of the walk, through Bulmer, Glemsford, Long Melford, Boxford and Assington, which he planned to reconnoiter with 2 or 3 volunteers. </div> <bR> <div> 9.     <U>Programme Secretary</U>.  David said that during the year 43 walks, plus 2 coach trips, were organised and led by 17 members.  The average attendance on both midweek and weekend walks was 19.  The first trip was in Jun 08, when 39 set out to walk the 11 miles along the Thames Path from placeCharing Cross to the Thames Barrier. It was a very hot day, and after walking 8.5 miles, 12 walkers took advantage of rejoining the coach at placeCityGreenwich, which then took them to the Barrier. The remaining 27 continued on from placeCityGreenwich past the O² Dome to the Barrier.</div> <bR> <div> 10.     In Aug 08, the second trip was to Norfolk where we had two walks, both arranged by Lesley Pilbrow. One, a shorter walk (7 miles) led by David Taylor starting from Holt steam railway station via Sheringham Park and along the beach to Sheringham ; the other a longer walk (10 miles) from Holt Country Park to Sheringham which also finished with a walk along the beach. We all had time for ice creams, teas and cakes before the journey home. </div> <bR> <div> 11.     We are hoping to have two coach outings next year, one in late May or early June and the other in early September. The first walk may be a 10 mile section of the London Outer Orbital Path from Cockfosters to Enfield Lock. The second will be arranged by Lesley who is hoping to do two walks in placeCityNorfolk.  Ingrid mentioned that during the Danish visit next year, it was planned to have a Blue Guide led walk around placeCityCambridge.  It was also suggested that town walks should be reintroduced into the programme and David agreed to consider one around placeColchester.  <B>Action: David</B> </div> <bR> <div> 12.     David thanked members who agreed to arrange and lead walks during the year, without whose efforts the walks programme would not be possible. We are always looking for new walks leaders and any member interested should contact the Committee for further information.</div> <bR> <div> 13.     <U>Membership Secretary</U>.  Iain reported that the overall membership had declined from 254 to 236 over the year, which was in line with the general trend both in placeCitySuffolk and nationally.  This was a matter of concern to RA HQ, who were trying to discover the reason for the declining membership.  Iain added that the figures might also not be accurate because there were problems with the introduction of a new membership software programme.</div> <bR> <div> <U>Item 5 - Suffolk Area - Annual General Meeting</U>.</div> <bR> <div> 14.     Philip advised that Suffolk Area AGM was rotated around its Groups and the hosts next year would be the Sudbury and District Group and it would be held on 21 Mar 09 at The Granary, Sudbury.  The guest speaker would be Mr Tom Franklin, Chief Executive of the Ramblers' Association, who would be well worth listening to and encouraged everyone to attend and support the event.  After the AGM, there would be a walk in the afternoon.</div> <div>  </div> <div> <U>Item 6 - Election of Officers and Committee Members</U></div> <bR> <div> 15.     Philip stated that all officers and members were up for re-election except Brian Penson, Treasurer and Margaret Taylor, Committee Member, whom he thanked for their support  to the Committee.  Brian read out a letter from the Auditor, Mr D Camp, confirming that he was happy to continue.  The following officers and members were elected to serve on the committee for the 08/09.</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <TABLE BORDER="2" CELLPADDING="1" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="687" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 20 ><NOBR><div> <B>Appointment</B></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="129"><div> <B>Current</B></div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="116"><div> <B>Nominated</B></div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="102"><div> <B>Proposed</B></div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="102"><div> <B>Seconded</B></div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="92"><div> <B>Elected</B></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 19 WIDTH="111"><div> Chair</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="129"><div> P Snelling</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="116"><div> P Snelling</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="102"><div> I Taylor</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> M Connolly</div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="92"><div> P Snelling</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 19 WIDTH="111"><div> Secretary</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="129"><div> F Connolly</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="116"><div> F Connolly</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="102"><div> I Taylor</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="102"><div> M Taylor</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> F Connolly</div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 19 WIDTH="111"><div> Treasurer</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="129"><div> B Penson</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="116"><div> J King</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="102"><div> P Snelling</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="102"><div> B Penson</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="92"><div> J King</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 19 WIDTH="111"><div> Auditor</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="129"><div> D Camp</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="116"><div> D Camp</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="102"><div> I Taylor</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="102"><div> M Taylor</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="92"><div> D Camp</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 19 WIDTH="111"><div> Footpath</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="129"><div> M King</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="116"><div> M King</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="102"><div> I Taylor</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="102"><div> M Taylor</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="92"><div> M King</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 19 ><NOBR><div> Membership</div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="129"><div> I Taylor</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="116"><div> I Taylor</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="102"><div> P Snelling</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="102"><div> M Taylor</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="92"><div> I Taylor</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 19 WIDTH="111"><div> Programme</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="129"><div> D Taylor</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="116"><div> DTaylor</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="102"><div> I Taylor</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> M Connolly</div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="92"><div> D Taylor</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 75 WIDTH="111"><div> Members</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="129"><div>  I Kay</div> <div> M Taylor</div> <div> M Connolly</div> <div> J King</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="116"><div> I Kay</div> <div> A Worsley</div> <div> M Connolly</div> <div> J Nelson</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="102"><div> I Taylor</div> <div> I Taylor</div> <div> I Taylor</div> <div> I Taylor</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="102"><div> M Taylor</div> <div> M Taylor</div> <div> M Taylor</div> <div> M Taylor</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> I Kay</div> <div> A Worsley</div> <div> M Connolly</div> <div> J Nelson</div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <U>Item 7 - Any other business</U>.</div> <bR> <div> 16.     <U>Timing and frequency of walks</U>.  David stated that the starting times for walks had been altered to 1000 and 1030 respectively for the summer and winter programmes respectively.  While walks were generally on Wednesdays and Sundays, he proposed that walks might be timetabled in the month on the 1<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >st</FONT> Wednesday, the 2<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >nd</FONT> or 3<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >rd</FONT> Saturdays and 4<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >th</FONT> Sunday, which would provide a walk every week.  This would leave gaps in 5 week months but these could be filled if there were sufficient walk leaders.  This would fix the walks to a set pattern that would allow walkers to plan better their availability.  Iain stated this might not be possible because of the availability of the walk leaders, who might offer to walk on other days of the week.  There was general support for David's proposals which Philip stated that it would be implemented for the next programme, but offers to walk on other days should be accepted.  <B> Action: David</B></div> <bR> <div> addressStreet17.     <U>Chilton Street - Walk No 14</U>.  Philip advised that a member, Mr N Jennings, had been campaigning to persuade a landowner and Suffolk Council to extend footpath 14 to join up with footpath 1, which would provide greater walking opportunities in that area.  Mr Jennings had presented his case to the Committee, who would be writing to local Parish Councils to support the case.  <B>Action: Philip</B>   </div> <bR> <div> 18.     <U>placeCitySuffolk Area Committee Meeting</U>.  Philip advised that the next meeting would be on 4 Dec 08 in Stowmarket.  He was the Secretary and he was entitled to be accompanied by two Committee members and invited anyone who was interested to let him know.</div> <bR> <div> <U>Item 8.  Date of next meeting</U></div> <bR> <div> 19.     The next meeting will be held in St Gregory's Church Hall Sudbury Suffolk at 1100 on 14 Nov 09.  <B>Action: Frank</B></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id17.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Our Walks Programme"><U>Our Walks Programme</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id19.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Special Events"><U>Special Events</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id18.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Related Links"><U>Related Links</U></A></div> <bR> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>