Ramblers Association Doncaster Group
Minutes of Committee meeting held on 18th November 2019 at The Three Horse Shoes
Committee Members Present: David Gadd , Bob Carlisle, David Horne, Peter Rowsell, Tony Liversidge, Jim Elvidge, and Martin Wyman.
Also attended: Cynthia Elvidge.
Apologies received from: Dave Binnington, Sue Robertson, Steve Robertson, Peter Gavestock, Norman Lewis, Tony Marsh and Dennis Neal
2. Minutes of previous meeting 16th September.
Minutes confirmed as accurate. DG/PR.
3. Matters arising from those minutes.
No news on SYNED grant.
4. 2019 AGM
- Minutes correct: DG/PR.
- Matters arising: DB/PR have researched publicity banner and will report soon.
- Review of AGM: DG asked if the low key event without entertainment and venue were satisfactory, and we should carry on in this vein. Agreed.
5. Financial Report.
DH covered the Financial Report. It had been a busy time with Carers walks bills to be paid and the end of the financial year. There was some money left over from the Carers walks and we had received £180 from Area. Our financial position is very healthy.
6. Publicity Officer.
Last weeks photograph in the FP included an individual who had asked not to be photographed so apologies were due. DG said the view was not a problem, and no apologies were required.
PR summarised the publicity to date.
Press Release Summary Jan – Oct 2019
Total number sent 69
Published
Doncaster Free Press 24
Inc maintenance/repair special 1
Article on Betty Donald 1
Today 8
Arrow Press 4 (several were double page centre fold)
Facebook coverage.
Followers 640
Likes 606
Reach (number of possible views) 15K
We have joined 18 Facebook Groups who regularly see our posts
In October we had 287 view our Facebook page
The committee wanted to examine costs if for example we wanted to advertise a future Walks programme or event
These costs in the Doncaster Free Press are
|
One week |
Two week* |
|
|
11cm x 8.7cm |
£90.29 |
£163 |
|
¼ Page |
£189 |
£341 |
|
½ Page |
£341 |
£555 |
Price includes design and artwork which we can retain for future use
* Need to establish if this price is fixed over 6-8 months
Advertising in Today costs from £20 per month (recurring) or £180 per year
DG added that a suggestion would be for a twice yearly half page spread before each Walks Programme listing the walks of our full programme, starting with the 2020 Summer programme. We can make this decision at the next meeting.
PR proposed to publish retrospectively a small booklet containing details including maps, reports and photographs of the
20+ walks Thursday walks undertaken, which was handed round. 400 copies would cost £655.
DB had emailed PR with some suggestions. BC liked the booklet but thought there were too many photos and that perhaps a booklet of general walks in the Doncaster area would be more useful. MW added that perhaps this was overdoing our publicity a bit. It was also pointed out that many walks are available digitally.
DG, in summary, said that £655 was a lot of money to pay out for a venture about which there were many reservations.
7. Walks Programme.
BC said the Tuesday walks for the 2020 Summer programme were filled. No news on the Saturday walks. We don’t have a Thursday walks coordinator, DG will ask on Tuesday
- GDM. TM attending November meeting.
- Carers walks. Some walkers only walks are planned, starting with the YSP where abilities can be judged.
8. Rights of Way Report.
MW
Doncaster Ramblers have walked just under 400 paths this year. We may struggle to complete all paths due to the adverse weather conditions.
I was contacted by Elizabeth Reeve of the Doncaster Gorge Community Group concerning a footpath between Nursery Lane and Cadeby Road (map provided) that is not a Right of Way. Although DMBC said there was no formal Claim submitted I located a Schedule 14 Claim on the National Archives, submitted by John Harker in 2009 on behalf of Dev Das, a local resident. There are reputed to be 7-10 User Evidence forms. John asks asked for more User Evidence forms to be obtained, DG stated that you need at least 20, so we need another 10-15 forms covering the period 1989 – 2009. I will contact Lee Welsh to establish whether his Sprotbrough Facebook Group can assist.
TM
Not present, but there had been no activity since the last meeting.
9. Social Report.
Although he did not resign at the AGM DN indicated that he did not wish to continue as Social Secretary. DG suggested that we did not need to fill the role as people came forward to plan individual events such as the Christmas walks. Agreed. DG will write to DN thanking him for his contribution.
10. Membership Report.
MW presented SR’s report.
Total new members as at 31.10.2019 since the Committee Meeting 16.09.2019 4
Mrs Elizabeth Smith, Warmsworth
Mr & Mrs Tomlinson, Skellow
Mrs Wendy Williams, Campsell
Total reinstated members since the Committee Meeting 16.09.2019 0
Members transferred into the group since the Committee Meeting 16.09.2019 1
Shaun O’Donnell, The Grove
Total number of members leaving as at 31.10.2019 since the Committee Meeting 15.07.2019 4
The number of active members attached to the Group at 31.10.2019 225
11. Meeting dates 2020.
- Already in Programme: 20th January, 16th March
- 18th May, 13th July, 21st September, 16th November
- AGM October 28th
12. AOB.
- Following the discussion at the previous meeting on possible problems around cattle DG read out the advice that central office provide. This reiterates common sense behaviour.
- BC had been asked to indicate in the Programme whether the pub accepted dogs, but felt this was up to the dog owner to check. Agreed.
- The 2020 coach trip has been provisionally booked for Grassington.
Meeting closed 20:34