Notts & Derby Walking Group Meeting Held On 13th July 2026, Bendigo Lounge

Present

Andrew Cowell (AC) (Chair), Stuart Broadhurst (SB) (Treasurer), Alistair Green (AG) (Webmaster), Joanne Morris (JM) (Social Secretary), Gary Olds (GO) (Walks Organiser), Chris Parkin (CP), Kevin Robotham (KR) (Secretary), Rob Stevens (RS)

1. Apologies:

  • Jonathan Bramley-Maye
  • Rachael Drewery (Membership Secretary)
  • Josh Grainger

2. Minutes of the Previous Meeting from 23rd April 2026

Minutes were ratified by the group.

3. Matters Arising from the Minutes of the Previous Meetings

  • JBM to provide AC with some words put out on planned walks.
  • JBM to talk to Katie Szkornik about a climbing event. Push it back for a future discussion
  • JM to talk to Strutts about booking a room for the AGM 10th October 2026. – Booked - catering to be sorted later.

4. Financial Report

  • £1943.92 in the bank account

  • £6007 paid in

  • £3096 Paid out

  • Balance £4855.46

  • Deposit paid for Glenacarron

  • Deposit paid for Isle of Scilly approx. £800

Enabling access for other committee people to account to be done in the next fortnight.

Financial contribution from Area received.

5. Walks Programme

Discussion on why the camping trip was not popular. No real conclusion, thoughts that people were perhaps were busy.

RS raised adding winter sunrise or sunset walks to the walk programme (as addition to a day walk).

KR raised the idea of having camping as committee social, but open to all.

Discussion on possible walks:-

  • Future linear walks should be on Saturday, due to reduced public transport on Sunday
  • AC raised that we need to balance in more shorter walks. KR agreed,

GO mentioned that he may step aside from walk planning role. But take on a walk specialism role similar to RS.

Wildfire

  • RS raised the need to assess the wildfire implications ahead of walks in case there is a need to amend or change the walk. GO raised that he has a back up for a future walk

6. Membership

  • Membership up to 207
  • 6 new members this month
  • AC mentioned many seem new to the Ramblers Association
  • Discussion over an individual who has come on at least 6 walks and has not joined,. She has previously told her she cannot join walks unless she joins. AC to email her to join or not come (issue such as not covered by insurance)

7. Group Webpage

Feeling that Facebook is not being used many by people to look at information on walks compared to the website

Comment on the high workload for AC to update Facebook and make changes to walk programme where late changes need to be used

Meetup does seem to be bringing people in.

Will need the new walk programme completed for adding to the website.

No changes to current approach

AG to look at creating emails boxes so we can send emails from our own domain

8. Weekends

Hawes: Great location, Good hostel with a communal area, Average quality food at the hostel. Issue raised was the walk leader not getting a lot of sleep – future consideration of a room specifically for the walk leader. Example Seahouses. Sleeps 40, but only 28 are being taken

Scilly. Excellent weekend, Though there was a very late drop out. Issue of Izzy who has balance issues following an accident, wanting to come to Scotland. Feeling that this would be not possible due to insurance risk – add duty of care issue.

Next weekend is Seahouses in August.

RS raised the problem that a number of hostels are closing down which is reducing the options for accommodation for future weekends. Such as Buttermere and possibly Conwy. Action AC to call Conwy to see potential for booking the whole accommodation for next year.

Discussion on use of AirBnB. There are options for weekend, but during summer seasons they are usually bookable for a week

  • Xmas 2026 - Jonny looked at Youlgreve. 2s / 4s for one night. Looked to book the Farmyard for dinner. Suggestion of 1st or 2nd weekend of December.

2027 Weekends

  • Scotland booked
  • Isle of Scilly booked – Opening for booking in September. Suggestion of having a weekend in Penzance ahead of the Isle of Scilly trip. Book but not advertise ahead of Scilly – raise it on the evening of the booking

Ideas for future weekend

  • Llangollan
  • Long Wynd / Shropshire.
  • Clune near Bishops Castle
  • Norfolk
  • Deepdale
  • Elterwater
  • New Year Dolgellau
  • Robin’s Hood Bay / Boggle Hole, YHA

Suggestion of doing further walks in Leicestershire following the popular Leicestershire Cotswold walk.

9. Socials

  • July: Victoria, Beeston
  • August: Holly Bush
  • September: Isle of Scillies booking

Cromford Picnic on 19th July 2026

Donna Nook November Social 22nd November 2026 for Seal Watching

10. AGM

JM to book food for the AGM.

AC raised the need for committee members to talk to group members about the various committee positions.

RS suggested we hold a photo competition, with members submitting photos beforehand. RS to shortlisted 10 photos which will be judged at the AGM. Best to be placed on the website.

KR to look at printing costs.

11. AOB

None raised.

12. Summary of Actions

  • JM to book food for the AGM
  • RS to organise photo competition
  • KR to look at printing costs

13. Date and Venue of Next Meeting

10th September 2026, Bendigo Lounge, Beeston