DONCASTER RAMBLERS

Minutes of Annual General Meeting held on 21 November 2022

Finningley Village Hall

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

Members present: Gareth Cade, Kim Binnington, Kerry Foreman, Stephanie Foreman, Angela Gibson, Kim Poskitt, and Kathryn Kerry.

1. None received.

2. Minutes of the 2021 AGM.

3. Matters arising from the 2021 AGM. The replacement of the printed programme with the online version has been successful. No plans to return to a printed programme. Risk assessments are still required, no change in policy from Central Office.

4. Chairmans annual report. After the last AGM the committee considered whether it was possible or advisable to return to the printed programme we had pre-pandemic. We unanimously decided that it was not for several reasons; firstly that the system of having our walks available online only was working well, that being online meant it was easy to cancel a walk or change the details at short notice, that it was not necessary to plan walks up to 6-7 months beforehand and finally that not producing a printed programme saved a lot of money and members’ time.

Our regular walks programme has continued, with short local walks on Thursday mornings and longer all-day walks on Saturdays and Tuesdays. The Tuesday walks programme is usually filled several months in advance, with the Thursday and Saturday programmes being considerably more difficult to fill.  We are indebted to several people who have stepped up and led walks to maintain the full programme, in particular Steve Tomlinson and Peter Rowsell, despite it not being convenient.  We are delighted that some relative newcomers to the Group have started leading walks. 

We have provided a good programme to Doncaster Carers, with monthly walks to Lotherton Hall, Chatsworth, Brodsworth, Cannon Hall, and Wentworth Woodhouse. The majority of our guests choose to do the ‘short’ walk, often of 3 to 4 miles, or to stay at the venue. For this reason, we introduced what, at about three miles, was still a short walk but one without a particular venue so that only people who wanted to walk would come. We chose the car park near the top of Mam Tor as the starting point and walked along the Great Ridge down to Castleton, where lunch was taken. I am indebted to Steve Tomlinson for taking over the organisation of some of these walks in my enforced absence. Thanks also to those members who have assisted on these walks. All these walks give carers, and sometimes cared-for people, the chance to enjoy socialise, have a short walk and a lunch.

Membership has been relatively stable; it currently stands at 234. One notable feature is the number of females joining the group, with more females than males joining in the last year or two.  We believe that our Thursday programme of short walks may be a contributory factor, although there appear to be more females than males joining Ramblers across the country.

Finally, thanks are offered to everyone who contributes to the success of the group, especially the committee, who give up their time for the benefit of others, as well as the people with roles who choose not to be on the committee, plus leaders and back-markers, without whom there would be no walks.  We all make our contributions for the benefit of others and for the benefit of the countryside.

Presented by David Gadd, Chairman.

5. Treasurer’s annual report. There have been eleven transactions during the financial year. Our sole income was courtesy of the Ramblers Walking Partnership, two payments totaling £30. Total expenditure in the last financial year was £406.45, the largest item was £155.14 for an advert in the Doncaster Free Press. The bank balance at 30.9.22 is healthy at £2064.93. There have been no payments from South Yorkshire and North East Derbyshire Area (SYNED) of the Ramblers due to the level of funds we hold. Groups are encouraged not to accept funds from Area if they have a healthy bank balance. BACS payments have been used for nearly all transactions; cheque payments can still be made but electronic transfer is preferred by most. The subscription to The Peak and Northern Footpath Society is paid by direct debit. The accounts are verified by an independent person, David Telford, to verify the accounts are in order. Finally, thanks to all the committee members for all their hard work during the last financial year.

Presented by David Horne, Treasurer.

A member asked if the funds could be used to subsidies social events. It was explained that Rambler’s regulations require that all social events have to break even and therefore have to be paid for separately by the membership 

6. Footpath Secretary’s report. Martin Wyman reported that this has been a disappointing year for Right of Way (RoW) claims. The two claims that we are involved in have made no progress. Regarding the claim for a footpath near Nursery Lane, Sprotbrough, DMBC RoW Department sent an email to the Peak and Northern Footpath Society officer and our footpath secretary in August 2022 saying they preparing a report and eliciting comments, but nothing has been heard since then. Regarding Broad Oak Lane, Tickhill this has not yet been given Schedule 14 status, despite 20+ evidence forms to DMBC RoW Department being submitted in May 2020, again nothing further has been heard. The Public Rights of Way Forum has not met since 2019. An email was sent in November 2020 saying the RoW Dept would investigate setting up an online Forum but we have heard nothing since.  When requests are made for updates on progress with the Definitive Map the responses given are ones they are working on, with no details. No updates have been provided since March 2021 on problems our path wardens have reported, despite requests.

Presented by David Gadd, Chairman.

7. Footpath checking. Our team of Footpath Wardens continues to dwindle in number which makes the task of walking and reporting on almost 600 paths increasingly difficult. With 29 geographical areas to monitor and a team of only 20 path wardens, some areas are not being checked regularly. Our team of Footpath Wardens continues to dwindle in number which makes the task of walking and reporting on almost 600 paths increasingly difficult. With 29 geographical areas to monitor and a team of only 20 path wardens, some areas are not being checked regularly. We need additional volunteers to help, particularly in some of the more outlying locations, otherwise these parts of the footpath network will fall into disrepair. So far in 2022, reports have been received for approximately 350 paths/bridleways, although there are, no doubt, additional paths which have been walked but not yet reported. By the end of the calendar year, I expect around 400 paths to have been walked and reports submitted, but this still leaves a significant shortfall.

We urgently need help to cover the following areas, which have either no appointed wardens or alternatively we require temporary assistance.

No wardens

• Square 61NW - Sykehouse/Fenwick -29 paths. Previously Stephen Ruffles.
• Square 61SE - Thorne/Fishlake - 49 paths. Previously Chris Holliday.
• Square 60NE - Hatfield - 26 paths. Previously Alan Elvidge.
• Square 69SE - Bawtry - 13 paths. Previously Dean Freeman.

Temporary help required with the following.

• Square 51SE - Moss/Norton/Owston/Askern/Thorpe in Balne - 60 paths.
• Square 59SW - Braithwell/Conisbrough Parks - 14 paths.
• Possibly David Gadd’s two Squares in Tickhill.

Thanks to those who have stepped in to fill some of the gaps especially Gail Parker, Kim Poskitt and especially Dianne Scolari, who has personally covered over 80 footpaths.

 I think in the short term it may be necessary to ask DMBC to cover some of these squares. When we first began assisting RoW they used to check all the Footpath Network, with each of the 4 officers doing a quarter of the footpaths each year.

The work we do, inspecting our local rights of way is very important. If we didn't do it, our footpaths would undoubtedly suffer.

See minutes under Footpath Maintenance regarding request from Tony Marsh to find a replacement for his role.

Presented by Tony Marsh, Footpath monitoring and maintenance officer

Gareth Cade offered to speak to a person he knows in Norton who does “Walking for Health” and maybe able to help in this area. Gareth also offered to help with footpath checking around Norton. Stephen Tomlinson also offered to help in this area. It was suggested if areas with a high density of footpaths can be split this may help recruit volunteers. Concerns were expressed by several members at the responses, or lack of, from the RoW Department to requests for information on progress from Doncaster Ramblers. Tony Marsh had a meeting with Julie Guest (DMBC Head of RoW Department) and Stuart Horrocks (DMBC RoW Officer) a couple of months ago regarding this matter but no difference has been noted.   

8. Footpath maintenance. This has been a somewhat frustrating year for our maintenance teams with the planned monthly sessions not always being possible due to unforeseen circumstances. This has resulted in the list of outstanding work becoming even longer and some essential maintenance being neglected. Nevertheless, in 2022, we carried out work on 7 of the 11 planned monthly sessions, see below, with one additional work party still to meet, location not yet confirmed, in early December.

• February- clearance work in Highfields/Brodsworth. 7 volunteers
• March - cancelled
• April - further clearance work on the flood banks near Arksey. 6 volunteers
• May -cancelled.
• June - Two metal kissing gates fitted in Auckley. 8 volunteers
• July - Two more kissing gates at Sykehouse. 7 volunteers
• August - 1 more kissing gate at Sykehouse. 4 volunteers.
• September - Repairs to handrails and steps near the Boat Inn -Sprotbrough. Way-mark post fitted in Barnburgh. 6 volunteers.
• October - cancelled.
• November - 5 way-mark posts fitted in Fishlake. 6 volunteers.
• December - location still to be decided.

Cancellations were generally at the request of DMBC.

The work we do, maintaining our local paths is very important. If we didn't do it, our footpaths would undoubtedly suffer.

Our teams of 'ever-willing' Volunteers continue to give up their valuable time to make all this possible. We have been working alongside the Rights of Way Dept. since 2009 when we first became involved with maintenance work. We were all young, well relatively young, and enthusiastic. Today, we are all still enthusiastic, but a little older! Continuity is very important and I feel the time is right to get someone to take over my role as co-ordinator of the maintenance volunteers and the footpath wardens to ensure that continuity. I will ask David/Martin to put something on our website inviting anyone who is interested to come forward. I will, of course, continue until we have a replacement. No interviews needed - just a spade and a spirit level!!

Report presented by Tony Marsh, Footpath monitoring and maintenance officer

9. Publicity Officers report. Publicity has been erratic throughout the past year, with our regular page in the Doncaster Free Press being withdrawn for a couple of months before being resumed. The DFP chooses the photos, not always photos that we would have chosen. Publicity in more local publications has continued. Early in May I was interviewed on community radio in Thorne, a 40-minute interview, an opportunity to explain who we were and what we offer. Also, DMBC re-booted the Get Doncaster Moving campaign after the pandemic and we were part of that process.  Pre-pandemic we had considered placing an advert in the DFP and now, post-pandemic we agreed to go ahead with this process. Apart from the publicity for ourselves we wanted to acknowledge to the DFP the free publicity we get from them. However, it has to be said that the advert appears to have no effect on attracting new people to the group.  Our Facebook page continues to attract many positive comments, see table below.

In July I attended the Get Doncaster Moving annual conference with a modest stand pop-up banner (on loan from Central Office) and a collection of pens, badges and flyers. Their aim was to outline what DMBC is doing to improve the health of the least healthy citizens of the borough. Several visitors to our stand acknowledged the work we do. 

Finally, I need to thank everyone who has contributed with walk reports and photographs without which there would be no publicity.

10. Election and re-election of officers. All officers were re-elected to their current posts.

The committee is therefore David Gadd (Chair), Stephen Tomlinson (Secretary), David Horne (Treasurer), Peter Gravestock (Programme Distribution), Norman Lewis, Dave Binnington, Brian Milne (Membership Sec), Peter Rowsell (Publicity) and Tony Marsh (Maintenance, Square checkers).

In addition, whilst not on the committee, Martin Wyman is Rights of Way officer and Webmaster, Trevor Jenkins is Saturday walks coordinator and Charlie Pratt is Tuesday walks coordinator.

Accounts Auditor is David Telford

During the meeting Angela Gibson offered to become a committee member and this was approved by all present.

David Gadd continues represents Doncaster Ramblers on the SYNED Area committee. A vacancy exists for A. N. Other on this area committee.

11. Venue for 2023 meetings. The location of the meetings for 2023 was raised by David Gadd as he felt the current location of Finningley Village Hall was perhaps unfair on committee members living to the north of Doncaster. Possible options discussed were.
    • Doncaster Deaf School.
    • YMCA Doncaster town centre.
    • Castle Park, Armthorpe.
    • Town Moor Golf Club.
    • Doncaster Golf Club.
    • Wheatley Golf Club.
    • Sprotbrough Village Hall.
    • Sprotbrough Country Club.

Previously public houses have been used for meetings but it was agreed these are not suitable due to potential noise from other customers etc.

Some members felt we should continue with the current venue as it is cheap (£20/night) and has the facilities to make a drink, and has free parking, plus we are supporting a valuable local asset. It was generally felt that unless a suitable town centre location can be found then we should continue with Finningley Village Hall as the venue. David Gadd and Stephen Tomlinson to explore town centre locations.

12. Any other business.
    • It was suggested that the AGM is moved so it takes place before the clock go back. This is to be reviewed and will depend on the timetable for AGMs to take place set by Central Office of Ramblers.
    • It was suggested that we reduce the number of committee meeting are reduced from 6 to 4 including the AGM. It was agreed that this would be trialled with the 2023 meetings in January, April, July and August with the AGM in October. It was also suggested the meetings could start earlier than 7.15pm.
    • Venue to be agreed, see section 11.
    • With the proposed reduced number of meetings, a year it was agreed that the reports from the chairman, treasurer publicity and RoW officers etc. should be forwarded to the secretary in advance of the meeting so they can be reviewed and approved by committee member before the meeting to allow more time for discussion on other topics.
    • It was also suggested that each committee meeting should discuss a subject agreed beforehand to allow committee members time to prepare.

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

Stephen J Tomlinson

27 November 2022.

NB. Following the meeting Stephen Tomlinson investigated the possibility of a different venue but it was felt none could improve on the Finningley venue.