Notts & Derby Walking Group Meeting Held On Tuesday 3rd February 2026 @ Horse And Jockey, Stapleford

Present

Andrew Cowell in the Chair, Kevin Robotham Secretary, Gary Olds (Walks Organiser), Alistair Green (Webmaster), Joanne Morris (social secretary), Rob Stevens (General Member) Josh Grainger, Jonathan Bramley-Maye, Stuart Broadhurst (Treasurer)

1. Apologies

Rachael Drewery (Membership Secretary), Chris Parkin

2. Minutes of the Previous Meeting From 4th November 2025

Minutes of the previous meeting were distributed with the agenda.

Minutes were ratified by the group.

3. Matters Arising from the Minutes of the Previous Meetings

  • Agreed that Alistair Green needs to look at the webpage and link it to the facebook to encourage interest / activity. Though it was raised that people were coming to the group via the webpage. The quality of the webpage was noted.
  • Rob to draft email for all members on the new booking approach. Andrew will refine final dash: Action completed
  • Jonathan to follow up with cottage he has seen for a weekend in Eskdale: Action completed
  • Andrew to add onto the Group Facebook page that we have committee roles available: To be undertaken
  • Jonathan to meet up with Gary and Rachel to discuss future walks: Action completed

4. Financial Report

Andrew provided an update:-

  • £7144.00 in the bank account
  • £5881.31- following payment of weekend
  • Scotland – Have the money for the week. Deposit of £2400 has been paid
  • The financial position is improved on last year
  • Money for Isles of Scilly is due at the end of March
  • £240 a year received from the Ramblers Association
  • £90 spent on Business Cards
  • Deposit for Scotland is £65 to cover breakages – Non refundable. Plus £800 was added to cover breakages (this will be returned). To cover this Jonathan suggested that we add a small amount to the price of a weekend to cover such charges. It was agreed that we would add an amount on the price of a weekend to cover damage deposits. We would need to make it clear at weekend bookings the reasoning for this
  • Question raised on whether we can have a Group Debit Card, as Jonathan had to pay himself. Andrew to look into it. ACTION
  • At the time of the meeting six people had paid for Wales
  • Suggestion of increasing the number of committee members with access to the group’s account so that weekend costs can be paid, without committee members resorting to using their own money

5. Walks

Easter Sunday Walk requires a leader

The new walk programme is well under development.

Suggestions for walks:

  • Idea raised on hold a Hartington weekend in June, possibly camping.
  • August walks. Holmfirth and Black Hill. Possible long day to Llangollen.
  • Monyash Walk followed by a meal at the Bulls Head.

6. Membership

10 new members this month, Brings membership up to 184 with 5 affiliates

Questions on whether joining the Ramblers Association is putting people off joining the group. – Raised a possible need to highlight the good work of the Ramblers Association. Idea for walk leaders to talk to people about the work of the Ramblers.

Andrew to produce information on the work of the Ramblers Association.

There was then discussion on how to handle a potentially problematic member.

7. Group Webpage

Discussion on the format of the spreadsheet for importing into the Walks Manager:-

  • Add Total ascent
  • Decided not to add an end time

Feedback received on the webpage was that is was well laid out with plenty of information.

Suggestions

  • Need links from the webpage to Facebook and Instagram
  • Add a gallery of photos from walks
  • Provide a secure forum for members

8. Socials. Pub meets to date & any suggestions for future events

Webpage up to date.

Socials:-

  • 13th May – Canal House – Plan to open Seahouses weekend
  • June – Holly Bush
  • July – Ladies night again

Suggestions:-

  • March 7th. Music Evening involving one of the members, “A Matter of Loaf and Death”. – Advertise this to members
  • Nature Walks – People were quite keen on these
  • Bouldering event organised by Katie

8. Weekends

New plans for future weekends and Ideas for the rest of 2026.

  • Late June / July – Buttermere
  • Sept - Shropshire
  • New Year – Keswick. Suggest Wed-Sunday for 16 to 20 people

9. AOB

Discussion on insurance available from the Ramblers Association. Understanding that it covers Grade 1 Scrambles. Anything above Grade 1 we need to inform people.

Activities not covered:

  • When crampons are required
  • When weather warnings are in force (we would need to inform people if this is the case)

Suggestion from Joanne that we should providing information to Walk Leaders. Such as a crib sheet.

Forum

Facebook – we have about 2000 people. Suggestion of the use of Whatsapp for private secure discussions. Andrew to look into this.

10. Summary of Actions

  • Andrew to ask the treasurer to look into whether we can have a Group Debit Card.
  • Andrew to look into use of Whatsapp for private secure discussions

11. Date and Venue of Next Meeting

Kevin Robotham to circulate dates around for next meeting

Meeting closed at 22.07.

Next meeting to be arranged at a time and venue to be confirmed.