DONCASTER RAMBLERS

Minutes of Annual General Meeting held on 23 October 2023
Finningley Village Hall

Committee members present: David Gadd, David Horne, Peter Gravestock, Dave Binnington, Tony Marsh, Brian Milne, Stephen Tomlinson, and Peter Rowsell,

Members present: Gareth Cade and Gabriel Czigany

1. Apologies. Angela Gibson, Kim Poskitt and Kim Binnington.

2. Minutes of the 2021 AGM. Approved.

3. Matters arising from the 2021 AGM. Confirmed that the online programme has continued to be a success, the number of committee meetings has been reduced to 4 from 6 and the venue for meetings was reviewed but no suitable alternative was found. It was also confirmed the AGM had been moved so it took place before the clocks went back.

4. Chairmans annual report. A few months ago, Jim Elvidge died. Jim was chair when I joined Doncaster Ramblers in 2004. I have to say that Jim was a very reluctant chair. He continued as chair until the 2007 AGM. When he stood down there were no nominations to take his place until the next meeting, in January 2008, when Wendy Atkinson agreed to be chair. Rob Elvidge, who was Jim’s cousin, organised a memorial walk in June from the Idle Valley Nature Reserve, at which some members wore flat caps, which was a distinct characteristic of Jim’s dress. Jim always wore a tie to committee meetings. Jim was a very kind and lovely man.

At the last AGM I raised the issue that this venue, in Finningley, means that members to the north of Doncaster have a long way to travel. We considered alternative venues but decided that none offered what this venue offers and we agreed to continue our meetings here.

Since the interruption caused by Covid, and our subsequent decision to dispense with a printed programme, I believe that the group has continued to prosper.

Our walks programme is very strong, with reasonable numbers on the wide variety of walks we offer. The Tuesday programme of longer walks, coordinated by Charlie Pratt, has continued smoothly. The Saturday programme of longer walks, coordinated up to the present by Trevor Jenkins, has not been so successful, attracting generally fewer walkers and with a few Saturdays being missed. However, this situation has existed for a number of years. The Thursday programme of shorter local walks has been very successful, with walks being offered on all Thursdays and numbers often being around twenty. Jeanette Walters led a walk in the Hooton Pagnell area with 28 people. The members who walk on Thursdays are generally less inclined to lead walks so I am indebted to several members who often do the longer walks for stepping in to lead these Thursday walks.

I am also indebted to Steve Tomlinson for taking over the running of the carers walks. The usual programme has been maintained, with walks from Lotherton Hall, Cannon Hall, Brodsworth Hall, Chatsworth, Bakewell for a linear walk, and Nostell Priory. It is understood funding is available for a 2024 programme of walks. Thanks also go out to the team of 7 members who assist Steve Tomlinson on these walks.

I was delighted to see the return of the coach trip, post-Covid, with a full coach, three separate walks and a fish and chip supper prior to the return journey. Congratulations to Angela Gibson, Carmen Malton, Kim Poskitt and Kerensa Barker for organising that trip. I only saw the photos and read the walk reports, and it was obviously a great day out.

Congratulations also to Peter Rowsell, obviously for the publicity which he continues to get for the group, but also for organising the charity walk for Children in Need recently. Peter set a target of £1000, which has comfortably been exceeded.

Part of my feeling that the group will continue to prosper is due to the strength of the committee. I consider that the committee works well, with everybody making appropriate contributions, and that the lack of female committee members which has existed for several years, has now been rectified.

The Ramblers continue to promote their Don’t Lose Your Way campaign in an attempt to find and reclaim paths lost through time. A significant number have been identified in the Doncaster area but the next stage is to do some research in some of these paths to identify evidence. This is where the problem lies. I don’t have the time to do this research. I asked for and was given a five minute spot prior to the Tickhill History Group’s last monthly meeting, where I explained the issue and asked for volunteers. Although two people expressed an interest they have not followed up my suggestion that we meet for a more detailed explanation.

As I have previously said, I will not be seeking re-election as chair at this AGM. I’ve been in this position for a long time and although continuity is a good thing, all healthy committees need change at some time. I am happy to continue on the committee, to co-ordinate the Thursday walks programme and to be a representative on Area Council, although I would love someone else to express an interest in Area Council.

I am also very proud that we have sustained our membership figures. In 2016 we had 230 members, as of this afternoon we have 234. All the other long-established groups in SYNED (Chesterfield and North East Derbyshire, Sheffield, Rotherham Metro and Barnsley and Penistone) have sustained losses of 10-12% in that period.

I would like to thank Trevor Jenkins for coordinating the Saturday walks programme. Trevor’s email to me was a classic:

Hi David,
It might be a sad flaw in me, but I can still remember my enforced schoolboy study of Julius Caesar, and having to learn chunks by rote. One such chunk has (roughly) stayed with me and it s when Brutus declares There is a tide in the affairs of men, which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune; omitted, all the voyage of their life is bound in shallows and in miseries. On such a sea we are now afloat, and we must take the current when it serves, or lose our ventures.”
In short, after an enjoyable decade in post”, I believe this is the opportune moment for me to step down from my role as Saturday walks coordinator. I do this for a number of reasons. I m less able now to join the Saturday fraternity (old age pains and family obligations) and, therefore, I am in a weak position to stir up and excite interest in the walk programme. Those few, who volunteer to lead, can, quite properly, directly and more conveniently access and contribute to the walks online. It s time for some new blood to step up and bring fresh energy to the task, which, in the absence of all the booklet obligations, is much less onerous than it once was.

Finally, as usual I would like the thank everybody who contributes to Doncaster Ramblers, all walk leaders and back-markers, walks programme coordinators, RoW and maintenance members, webmaster, programme coordinator and to all committee members. We are all volunteers, giving our time and efforts for the good of others and of the countryside. I salute you.

Presented by David Gadd, Chairman.

5. Treasurer’s annual report for the year October 2022 to September 2023. The vast majority of transactions for the financial year just closed was for Whitby coach trip, fares for which were being paid directly into our bank account. Forty eight coach fares were received (£20 per person) and a sum of £175 was set aside to reimburse participants as the costings were based on 40 people. Buckleys were the chosen coach firm and £785 was paid to them for coach hire.

Other transactions are similar to recent years, this includes £22 for the hire of Finningley Village Hall for each meeting and a payment of £22.50 to the Peak and northern Footpath Society. The Walking partnership contributed £100 to Doncaster Group funds. Income for 2023 was £1120 and expenditure £1323.32. The balance in the bank at the end of the 2023 financial year was £1861.61which is £204 down on the end of 2022 financial year. This difference is due to the expenditure listed above and some minor expenses. The discontinuing of the printed programme has significantly reduced annual expenditure and therefore we have not needed to request top up funds from SYNED Area Treasurer. There is a possibility expenditure may increase as we have advertised that members can claim legitimate travel expenses. To date we have had one claim for £19.04, it is anticipated claim levels will be low but should they be significant we can draw on annual funds from SYNED.

Finally, my thanks to all committee members for their hard work during the last financial year. I confirm I am happy to stand as Treasurer for the next financial year.

Presented by David Horne, Treasurer.

6. Footpath Secretary’s report. I continue to review all Planning Applications to see if Rights of Way are affected. At present I am in discussion with CDC (City of Doncaster Council) concerning a new estate, where a footpath was diverted but an access point on the original plan has been blocked off.

I also liaise with Path Wardens when new RoW are created or diversions applied for. In addition, I have received four complaints from members of the public, concerning blockages, and two concerning damaged or difficult stiles, which were progressed with CDC.

I have an ongoing concern that the TPT is being 'tarmacked', but I regret to say I have been unable to make progress - it seems that the Active Travel Policy requires the TPT to be suitable for cyclists and wheelchairs.

CDC have been consulting concerning anomalies and errors in RoW in Tickhill, where RoW have been built over, by extinguishing such paths. I have received no complaints about this.

The adoption in Sprotbrough of Nursery Lane as a public right of way is ongoing and has received one objection. It has been submitted to the Planning Inspectorate for determination by an independent inspector.

The latest update (19/07/2023) on problems Ramblers have reported has 67 problems still outstanding. Time is spent chasing these, and Tony's maintenance teams have lots of work to do.

For anyone interested in Lost Ways, David is researching South Doncaster, and I have researched the North. The current network is in a shocking state and includes most of the 67 problems reported above, so I have not been able to spend much time on this. I looked at all the paths on the Ramblers Lost Ways map in my square and did not find any that were valid. In the past I researched two situations which I thought worth investigating but could find no evidence of lost paths - neither made it to the Lost Ways map which supports this.

Prepared by Martin Wyman Footpath Secretary

David Gadd advised that the he has had to concede defeat in his ongoing argument with a landowner over the suitably of three single step stiles in the Tickhill area. Julie Guest of CDC RoW Section has confirmed that as the step is just below 600mm in height, therefore they meet the legal requirements.

7. Footpath checking. Last year we had a significant shortage of Path Wardens and had it not been for the efforts of some of the team to cover additional areas we would have been unable to inspect a large number of paths. Nevertheless, we did manage to check almost 400 of the 600 paths in the city. It did seem likely that we would need to ask CDC to cover certain areas, as they did before our Ramblers group became involved, but hopefully this will not be necessary. This year we have rectified the shortage of Footpath Wardens, so that on paper at least, each of the 29 areas has a designated warden. So, a big thank you to all those who have offered to fill the gaps, and of course, to those who continue to plod the same paths year after year. Thanks also to Steve Tomlinson for recruiting new wardens. I have no idea what methods he used but the spaces were filled. It is therefore slightly disappointing to report that our performance so far this year has fallen significantly below what was achieved by the same time last year. To date, I have received reports for only 218 of the 600 paths we cover but it may well be that a number of paths have been checked but not yet reported. I know that some prefer to check all their paths before submitting their report but we have less than 2 months remaining before the end of the year. Please submit a report for any paths you have covered to date.

Presented by Tony Marsh, Footpath monitoring and maintenance officer

8. Footpath maintenance. Before I give my brief report, I would like to thank Stuart Twell and Peter Smith who have taken over the 'on-site' part of the maintenance work, which has significantly reduced my work load. This has been a better year than last and despite a couple of cancellations due to the weather, we have carried out work on 9 of the 11 planned monthly sessions. We have continued to spread our efforts across different areas within the Borough. Since the last AGM work has been done in Fishlake, Brodsworth, Marr, Tickhill, Finningley, Austerfield, Thorpe in Balne, Conisbrough Parks, Clayton, Hooton Pagnell, Owston, and Wadworth. Our work has involved the usual range of issues, replacing way-mark posts, repairing and replacing kissing gates (all galvanised this year) and stiles, fencing, clearance work and small bridge repairs. A total of 52 volunteers have been involved since last year's AGM.

On Thursday 26 October 2023 we have an area representative from Ramblers Central Office (CO) coming to spend a couple of hours with us 'on site', in Rossington, with a view to writing a report for the Ramblers Walks Magazine. On the day we will be installing 5 way-mark posts on a newly created woodland paths and also carrying out repairs and improvements to a footbridge over a deep dyke in the same vicinity.

Finally, my thanks to all those who have given their time so willingly for yet another year. Without your continued support we could not function. It is also important to note the vital contribution of the CDC Rights of Way Department who provide both the materials and the transport and a special thanks to Stuart Horrocks of CDC who attends all maintenance sessions. Communications with CDC RoW Department has improved significantly over the last year however it should be noted Julie Guest has reduced her working hours to 3 days a week.

The work we do is essential if we are to maintain our existing footpath network for the future.

Report presented by Tony Marsh, Footpath monitoring and maintenance officer.

9. Publicity Officers report. During the year we continued promoting our group as we have done in previous years, with both high and low points. We finally lost our column in the DFP sighting financial cutbacks. We do get a mention in their on-line version from time to time. The Conservative MP for Don Valley Nick Fletcher, (who is all over FB) gave us a mention following one of David Gadd’s history walks from Wadworth.

Our direct mail to local GP Surgeries produced no results, and no-one at my own practice remembers seeing the flyer. I attended this year’s Get Doncaster Moving Seminar 20th Oct 2023 with Keynote speaker Ed Clancy OBE followed by various breakout sessions, including walking and cycling, and data, insight, learning. I met Nicola Marshall of South Yorkshire Combined Authority who are looking at activity levels across the region. During one breakout session I mentioned our direct mail failure and was referred to Primary Care Trust Doncaster.

After a couple of false starts, fingers crossed, we may finally get a visitor from Ramblers CO (Central Office). Claire Wilkins CO Regional Engagement Officer (Midlands – East) to report on the work of our maintenance teams, on the 26th October 2023 (see Footpath Maintenance Report above). This will hopefully result in an article in the Walk Magazine.

Out of the blue a referral from the Tourist Information Office (an elderly mother on behalf of her son who suffers depression) I suggest he call me, but never did.

Our Countryfile Children in Need Ramble held on the Saturday 7th October 2023 has so far raised £1135 from 50 contributors. The walk around Hatfield Moors attracted 33 walkers, many from Ramblers Thorne. Prior to the walk we had a short two-minute slot on BBC Radio Sheffield What’s On. We have also been invited to give a further radio broadcast on the 17th November 2023 for the main Children in Need event.

We now send walk reports to DFP online version, the Gazette, the Dalesman, the Doncaster Echo, Today (walk program only), Arrow (walk program only), DMBC (local walks only). One of our local walks was featured in the Trans Pennine Trail Newsletter, with a promise to include more in future.

Face book remains our most engaged communication tool. Data from the last 28 days as follows.

A thank you to everyone who submits walk reports, photos and the latest innovation ‘route maps ’all of which helps promote Ramblers

Complaints are rare, but one or two photos showing members walking on crops at the field edge, provoked some negative remarks.

Presented by Peter Rowsell, Publicity Officer.

Peter asked if we should be doing more to promote the group, it was agreed that as membership is stable our publicity was working. It was concluded that our website and Facebook page were our most effective publicity tools. Peter advised he would look into the Wellbeing Walks in the local area which are linked to Ramblers.

10. Election and re-election of officers. All officers with the exception of David Gadd (Chairman) were re-elected to their current posts.

David has resigned as Chairman, unfortunately there have been no nominations for this position. and the role is therefore vacant. David has agreed to remain as a committee member. It was agreed that Steve Tomlinson would take over the booking of the venue for the meetings and would review the system for emailing the group membership.

The committee is therefore Chair (Vacant) Steve Tomlinson (Secretary), David Horne (Treasurer), Peter Gravestock (Programme Distribution), Dave Binnington, Brian Milne (Membership Sec), Peter Rowsell (Publicity) and Tony Marsh (Maintenance, Square checkers), Angela Gibson and Kim Poskitt, and David Gadd (David also acts as Thursday Walk Coordinator).

Angela Gibson has agreed to take on the role of Saturdays Walk Coordinator.

In addition, whilst not on the committee, Martin Wyman is Rights of Way officer and Webmaster, Brian Unsworth is Deputy Webmaster and Charlie Pratt is Tuesday walks coordinator.

Accounts Auditor is David Telford

David Gadd continues to represent the Group on the area council. A vacancy exists for A. N. Other on this area committee.

11. Any other business. A presentation of a card was made to David in recognition of his service as Chairman and the proceeds of a collection from the members were handed over so David could purchase outdoor equipment of his choice.

Meeting was closed following a vote of thanks to Dave Binnington for providing the refreshments.

Stephen J Tomlinson

25 October 2023.