MINUTES OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
CUMBRIA GROUP LDWA

Held on: Sunday 3rd October 2021 at 17:00

Mae’s Tearooms, Uldale

PRESENT:

Jim Crockett (Chairman), Louise Smith (Group Secretary), Andy Armstrong (Walks Secretary), Tony Deall, Trish Dunant, Clare Edgar, Dave Evans, Pat Evans, Martyn Smith, Paul Glynn, Catherine Glynn, Barbara Young

APOLOGIES:

Una Courtney and Allan Ousby

MINUTES OF 2019 AGM:

These were agreed as a true record. Proposed by Clare and seconded by Andy.

MATTERS ARISING:

There were no matters arising.

CHAIRMAN’S REPORT:

Jim welcomed all to the meeting, the group’s 34^th AGM and Jim’s first as Chairman. He thanked both Group Secretary and Walks Secretary for their work since the last AGM in 2019 (2020 having been cancelled, due to the COVID pandemic) The group lacks a treasurer since Helen left the area last year and the financial papers are currently held by Jim.

He highlighted the issue of diminishing membership and expressed a desire that the group should continue, rather than disband or merge with another local group. He suggested that the group could help neighbouring Lakeland LDWA with challenge events. He would also like to reintroduce group trips away, for which an organiser is required.

GROUP SECRETARY’S REPORT:

Louise reported that the group had continued to offer a monthly walk, when COVID restrictions allowed. She also alluded to the issue of diminishing membership, particularly since three of the more regular walkers had moved away from the area. She reported that the group’s Facebook page is continuing to attract interest but has not generated any new members.

Members had been due to assist at the Lakeland LDWA ‘Spring in Lakeland 50’ event in April this year, which was cancelled due to COVID restrictions. There are no plans for a 2022 event.

Louise stated that she would be standing down as Group Secretary, due to personal commitments. She thanked Andy and Jim for their support over the past two years.

WALKS SECRETARY’S REPORT:

Andy gave an overview of the past two year’s group social walks, where they were able to take place. He gave details of leaders, location and attendance. The group has walked 1029 miles in total, since he took over the position of Walks Secretary in 2015.

TREASURER’S REPORT:

Jim reported that there had been no transactions made from the group account, other than a payment of £5.00 for two Helm Wind badges. The account balance stands at £1731.66.

CHARITABLE DONATIONS:

It was agreed to make donations to the following charities:

Great North Air Ambulance Service: £50.00
Keswick Mountain Rescue: £50.00

QUARTERMASTER’S REPORT

Jim reported that he still holds the group’s equipment in storage and circulated the list. It was suggested that the group could loan items to neighbouring groups (Lakeland and Northumbria) for challenge events.

ELECTION OF OFFICERS:

Jim agreed to stand again as Chairman and Quartermaster
Andy agreed to stand again as Walks Secretary, since risk assessments for walks are no longer mandatory. Andy will advertise all walks from November 2021 on the group’s website.
Tony agreed to stand as Treasurer.
Louise stated that she will stand down as Group Secretary and Paul Glynn offered to take on the role.

Paul and Tony were duly elected as Group Secretary and Treasurer respectively. Proposed by Clare and seconded by Trish.

Jim will pass the treasurer’s papers to Tony and will make enquiries at the Carlisle branch of Barclays, regarding obtaining a change of mandate form for the group’s account. Helen Beatham and Louise are to be removed as signatories to the account and Paul and Jim added.

FUTURE OF THE GROUP

As a result of the election of a new Group Secretary, the viability of the group is now secure. It was not necessary to consider alternative courses of action. Paul was thanked for volunteering for the role.

LDWA 50th ANNIVERSARY EVENTS

Louise brought to the group’s attention the 50th Anniversary of LDWA, which will take place in 2022. Local groups have been asked to arrange events for the weekend of 18th-19 June. Trish offered to stage her 40 mile round-Carlisle route. Shorter stage options will be available. Louise will inform Karen Pickersgill, Local Groups Secretary.

HELM WIND WALK

Andy reported that 2 badges have been sold since the 2019 AGM.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS:

Brampton Fairtrade Group Quiz, Friday 18^th November 2021. Former member Steve Bowles had invited Cumbria LDWA members to form a team. There was sufficient interest to form two teams, Louise to order tickets.

Trish enquired about future group walks. Allan Ousby has offered a walk for November (date to be confirmed) and Trish offered a walk for January 2022. A leader is required for December.

Jim reminded members that an organiser is required for the next group trip away. This is most likely to be from a single base, rather than a long-distance path format.

Tony thanked Louise for her work as Group Secretary since 2015.

Louise raised the issue of permissions for committee members to access the local groups admin pages on the national website. Louise, Andy and Jim continue to use Tony’s log-in. Louise reported that permissions for each committee member were requested prior to the pandemic but no progress has been made to date. Paul suggested that he could investigate this.

DATE AND TIME OF NEXT MEETING:

The next AGM will take place on Sunday 2nd October 2022.

The meeting closed at 17:45.

SIGNED ……M L SMITH (Group Secretary)