Notts Derby Walking Group Meeting Held On Tuesday 2nd September 2025 At The Horse & Jockey, Stapleford

Present

Andrew Cowell in the Chair & acting Secretary, Stuart Broadhurst (Treasurer), Jonny Bramley-Maye+Lucy the dog (Member without portfolio), Gary Olds (Walks Organiser), Alistair Green (Webmaster), Joanne Morris (social secretary), Rob Stevens (General Member)

1. Apologies

Rachael Drewery (Membership Secretary)

2. Minutes of the Previous Meeting

Minutes of the previous meeting were distributed with the agenda. Raised for approval. Proposed: - Andrew Cowell Seconded: - Joanne Morris

3. Matters Arising from the Minutes of the Previous Meetings

None arising.

4. Officers Reports

4.1 Group Secretary

The group secretary position is currently vacant and unlikely to be filled. Andrew is performing the duty for the time being. I will be unable to attend the next Nottinghamshire Area meeting but I have provided a group report for the meeting.

4.2 Group Treasurer

Stuart confirmed the current bank balance is £1205 (£3310.47 at the last meeting). We have booked several weekends which will be opening over the next few weeks so expect this balance to reach over £4000 shortly. Stuart confirmed that Ramblers can offer a bridging loan if we ever need to book a lot of weekends before the money has come in. Joanne Morris is the third signatory on the account.

4.3 Walks Organiser

Rob requested we tone down some of the more garish colours in the walks programme. Mused whether we should try more walks with meals and the possibility of a nature inspired walk. May be offer a walk incorporating the Hollybush at Christmas? The new programme starting in January 2026 should have more short walks to appeal to potential new members and existing members that only want to commit half a day.

Andrew agreed to check the insurance situation with technical walks. We also considered whether we might have slightly earlier walk start times in the winter to make the best of the daylight.

A joint walk with the West Midlands group will be in November from Fradley Junction incorporating the National Memorial Arboretum. Andrew agreed to have one Friday day time walk a month as an experiment to see if there is much demand. He would offer on weeks with no Saturday walks.

Joanne had agreed to start posting regular monthly pub meets and monitoring numbers. Numbers have been a bit disappointing to date but we’ve found Derby pub meets are the least popular. We’ve agreed to rotate between Nottingham, Beeston and Derwent Valley. It was agreed that tagging meals onto walks may be a more popular format and many other groups are doing this. Joanne has booked a meal in January at the Oakhill Hotel (formerly Alison House) with a walk beforehand.

4.5 Weekends Organiser

Rob led a discussion on some different options for weekends both in locations and accommodation type. Can we make use of AirBnB’s and may be campsites when arranging something at short notice.

Concluded on booking Plas ISA in Dolgellau where we’ve stayed twice previously for Easter 2026. Many locations such as Clun on the Shropshire borders and possibilities for February 2026 to break up the large gap between Christmas and New Year discussed.

4.6 Membership Secretary

The membership secretary sent her apologies and could not be present due to family issues. Membership has increased every month bar one this year and stands at 162 as of the end of August. All present agreed that getting a regular walks programme and a community going in the group is the best way to attracting new and returning members. We have attracted a good number of returning new members, some of whom have already joined Ramblers, but some younger members have not returned.

4.7 Web

Since the last meeting Gary had supplied updated public transport information to Alistair for the website. We also agreed to put a link to Instagram on the website. Andrew had fixed the walks spreadsheet formatting problems which prevented importing into the Ramblers walk finder. There are several hidden columns which walk programme writers need to be aware of.

5. General Chat

Jonny raised the previous idea of a forum for members discussion and arranging lift. This has the advantage of creating an exclusive area and creates an incentive for becoming a member. Need to investigate possible privacy complications, something I’ll also raise with area who have a lot of knowledge in this area. Andrew will action this before the next meeting.

Discussed the arrangements for the AGM. Agreed on room hire from 10:30-13:00 with AGM starting at 11:00. Joanne kindly also agreed to arrange tea and coffee and food for 20 with raffle. We’ll do a short circular walk afterwards from Belper stopping at The Holly Bush Inn.

6. Date and Venue of Next Meeting

Meeting closed at 21:59. Next meeting to be arranged by the new committee at a time and venue to be confirmed.