Committee

Thornbury Rambling Club AGM held on 01/11/25 at Thornbury Methodist Church Hall at 2.30pm

Draft Minutes

Present:  Catherine and Peter Mason, Andy Grun, Peter and Lynda Frost, Ian Gross, Helen Willoughby, Jackie Robertson, Alan Rogers, Kevin Evans, David West, Caroline Froud, Tony Kite, Mo Harding, Bob Prince, Henriette Rathbone, Frances Bover, Janet Astle, Peter and Sue Bird.

1. Apologies for Absence:  Chris Everett, Helen and Howard Windsor, Vicky Collin, John Hescott, Patsy and Reg Kelly, Jan Lovell, Alan Vizard, Ruth Fulford, Ray and Jan Shute.

2. Minutes of the last AGM:  Approved with no matters arising.

3. Chair’s Report (Catherine Mason):   This was Catherine’s first TRC AGM, even though it is the end of her first year as Chair! Catherine thanked the committee members (three were due to leave after their three year term) Thanks to Kevin for juggling the numbers and keeping us solvent and to Frances who has kept us walking every week despite having her hip replaced and having to nag us all during that period and thanks also went to Sue - but the hope was that members would agree to keeping her on for an additional year.  Covid messed with the election cycle and it would be a shame to lose three experienced members in one go.

The next thanks were for our social committee – to Jackie,  Helen W,  Henriette and Janet. Catherine spoke on behalf of all members when she said thank you for organising such a variety of different events.

And the final thanks went to those who have led walks.  We have had 54 walks since the last AGM – that’s every Sunday plus one Monday.  There have been 16 different walk leaders but the heavy lifting has been done by a handful of people – Ian, Bob, Ray & Jan, Helen Willoughby and Alan Vizard – they led more than half of our walks. A special mention was made of Alan. He has stood in at short notice to lead walks including one in September which seemed to cover all the places where he had hung out as a lad and where he did his courting.

 Devising a new walk takes time and sometimes several walk-outs to get a viable route. For that reason, if nothing else, we should feel free to recycle old walks - we are all encouraged to recycle more! Catherine felt sure that many of us feel that it is the walking combined with the company that contributes to the deep pleasure of our Sunday rambles. She is always grateful to those who lead and thinks we should all try to take a fairer share.

4.Treasurer’s Report (Kevin Evans):  Kevin talked us through the accounts which showed the predictable expenses. The number of members has dropped from 49 to 40 and we will need to keep an eye on this, but the subscriptions can remain at £6.  Helen Willoughby proposed that the accounts for the year ending 30 September 2025 be approved, seconded by Ian Gross and unanimously carried.

5. Walks Organiser’s Report (Frances Bover):  We have had a successful year with a nicely varied programme. The leaders do a great job of planning, walking out, clearing stiles etc and sometimes re-walking the route - they deserve our thanks. Frances noted that repeated walks seem very rare, but could be a good choice if potential leaders are stuck for ideas. A new Walk’s Organiser will be elected now, but Frances will continue to attend the Joint Local Access Forum and the South Glos Public Rights of Way meetings if and when they are held again.There are blanks in the Programme in December - and then all of next year to fill in. 

6. Social Planners’ Report (Helen Willoughby):  Helen thanked all who had contributed to our social events this year. 

The main events were: November - pie and mash meal at the Alpaca Café Alveston with quizzes. December - hot toddy walk and Xmas party with party games and shared contributions for supper. January - mulled wine walk around Uley. February - mid-week meal at The Anchor Thornbury. March - Beetle Drive at The Chantry and a Severn Bore with breakfast walk. April - Sunday Lunch walk at Hawkes House. May - Paignton walking week. June - Seaside Ramble. October - Sunday Lunch walk at the Mason’s Arms, Alveston. Thank you to the Social Committee team of Janet Astle, Henriette Rathbone, Jackie Robertson, Patsy Kelly and Helen Willoughby for their enthusiasm. They are all happy to continue as the Social Committee and welcome any others. They have started to plan ideas for next year and would welcome any suggestions.

7. Newsletter and Website Ed. (Bob Prince):  Bob is happy to continue as we are, but there was discussion about the need for a Newsletter, given that we have an informative website.  It was soon apparent that the newsletter is useful and very popular (especially the illustrations!) so it will be continued. Keep the contributions coming.

8. Election of Officers:  

Chair - Catherine Mason (2 yrs left)                      Proposed by Peter Mason, seconded by Ian Gross

Treasurer - Ian Gross (3 yrs)                                                     Frances Bover                     Tony Kite

Walks Organiser - John Hescott (3 yrs)                                     Kevin Evans                      Jackie Robertson

Secretary Sue Bird - (extended for a further year

under the constitution’s “special circumstances” clause)           Janet Astle                         David West

All were duly elected. (Sue is happy to help any prospective new Secretary ease into the role ready for next year…)

9. AOB:  a) Sue said that Alan Vizard had asked if the club would consider making a £50 donation to the Ramblers Association for their work with keeping footpaths open. This was agreed.

b) Frances brought us up to date with the Wayfinders - subgroups are being formed for various tasks, such as path clearances, which we could be involved with. There will be a Thornbury Walking Festival in February, which will include us leading a local walk on the Saturday (21st). At the last TRC Committee meeting we decided to make a donation to them of £50 - along with several other local organisations.

c) Tony Kite is delighted that the club will be visiting Exmouth, the town of his birth, next June. He already has three good walks in mind. We have 19 people signed up for this so far.

d) Jackie Robertson asked exactly what our insurance covered. Ian and Kevin will attempt to interpret the policy and will let us know.

e) Kevin Evans checked on our dog policy - there was a fairly strong feeling that it should remain as it is (ie at the discretion of the leader) and that dogs are not encouraged.

f) There was some discussion about the venue for the next AGM. Somewhere with its own car park would be helpful (avoiding car parking charges) but it was felt that the Methodist Hall was very good value for money and so we will continue there.

The meeting closed at 3.25 and was followed by tea and the usual amazing selection of cakes.

Janet Astle won the photo competition with a shot (taken by Ian Gross) of club members trying to eat their lunch while surrounded by ponies on top of May Hill. 

Date of the next AGM:  Saturday 31 October at 2.30pm