Author: Diane Davies

RAMBLERS ASSOCIATION - CARDIFF GROUP 

Minutes of meeting held Thursday 6 December 2007

Present: Diane Davies (DD), Arthur James (AJ), Gwyn Lewis (GL), Gillian Masters (GM), Paul Davies (PD), Jeff Hobden (JH), Richard Garman (RG), John Newton (JN).
Apologies: Roma Whitely (RW), Mike Kohnstamm (MK)

1.  Chair for meeting: meeting chaired by DD.
 
2.  Minutes of the last meeting: minutes for 11 October 2007 were ACCEPTED. 

3.  Matters arising:
a) RG proposal for the Derek Coles monies be used to fund an information board on a St Fagans walk under development was carried. Subject to timings, agreed that a Cardiff Ramblers' walk be undertaken of the new walk after installation of info board and Derek Coles placard;
b) Pont y Werin - voting has opened and all encouraged to Vote for Connect2. 

4.  Issues from Group AGM :
GM was thanked for her slide-show which greatly added to the appeal of the AGM to Group members - something similar to be done at next AGM.
Discussion over question from AGM floor about member notification of Group weekends/holidays - decided that GM to include article in WalkTalk (similar to an earlier article by RW) asking members interested in such Group activities to register their interest with DD and/or likely event organisers.

5. Dates of Group Committee meetings:
Monday February 4; Tuesday April 8; Monday June 16; Tuesday August 12; Monday October 6.
Group AGM Tuesday October 21 (provisional)

6.  Database of Cardiff Walks:
There are 22 walks on the Groups web-page. 
DD gave details of contact from Brecon Cerreg Water regarding a walk book that they intend publishing.
DD to suggest walk to RA Walk following request for walks with a Mountains & Hills theme.
 
7.  ROWIP:
Cardiff ROWIP progressing and should be ready for submission to Council in Jan/Feb08. The delay in the ROWIP due mainly to Rights of Way Team responding to requests from LAF and Cardiff Ramblers for the ROWIP to contain more detailed actions and precise costings. The ROWIP will prioritise its Aims & Objectives, with completion of Definitive Map being the No.1 priority.
 
8. Coastal Access:
DD displayed preferred and possible Coastal Path routes for Cardiff. Praise given for the energy & enthusiasm shown by Tricia Cottnam, Cardiff's recently appointed Coastal Access Officer.

9. Area AGM Report: nothing of significance to report. 

8. Officers' Report:
a) Treasurer: report issued pre-meeting.

i) Discussion over disposal of interest earned on Restricted Funds (Tenerife Holiday) - agreed JH to write article for WalkTalk to explain/etc;
ii) Confirmed that similar "holiday" financial facility to be made available to Bangor Weekend organisers.
b) Footpath Officer: report issued pre-meeting.
i) AJ reported that "Whitchurch" footpath to be gated (source John Henn) - GL to discuss with John Henn.
ii) "Thanks" recorded for Brian Congreve's work as Wednesday Walks co-ordinator, which ends after the next Programme.
iii) Brian & Digna have volunteered to organise the catering for Leaders' Evening - again "Thanks" to Brian & Digna.
iv) Similar budget (£150ish) as last Leaders' Evening agreed.
v) No fundamental objection to the running of a navigation course for children, but more details needed.
vi) AJ supplied suggested Coach Trip dates:
Wednesday: 14 May; 11 June; 9 July; 6 or 13 August; 10 or 17 September.
Saturday: 28 June or 19 July. Note: probably Tenby, meeting at Whitchurch Common. As we'll be going West, make available to members of Penarth Group.
vi) Following discussion of Kathryn Bennett's proposed Brecon Beacons Walk on Wednesdays, agreed to include within the Group's Walk Programme but ask that the walks be spread over 3 Programmes. GL to advise Kathryn of Committee's decision.
c) Secretary: report issued pre-meeting.
> RA Draft Strategy - comments to DD for inclusion in Group's response;
> RA Civil Liability Insurance - discussion held over until next meeting.
d) WalkTalk: request from GM for material for next WalkTalk.
e) Countryside & Environment:
> JN raised possibility of Group questioning closing times of Bute Park with Council as current opening hours are discouraging non-car modes of transport by University employees. JN to forward details to DD for consideration and possible action.
> JN wanted Committee to consider how the Group could become involved in suggesting/promoting measures that would reduce carbon emissions. JN to send e-mail to Committee members giving background to his request.

10. AOB: 
a) RG confirmed attendance at: 1) Rhymney Valley & Nant Farw project; 2) Rural Access For All.
b) PD volunteered to be the Group's Publicity Officer. DD to research generic RA job description/etc and Paul's Publicity Officer responsibilities & duties to be discussed/agreed at next Committee meeting.

Glamorgan Area Diary Dates:
- Area Council 2008: 18 January; 7 March; 20 June; 19 September. 

Summary of Actions from meeting:
GM to write article for WalkTalk re: registering interest in Group holiday/weekend activities with DD and/or likely event organisers.
DD to suggest walk to RA Walk following request for walks with a Mountains & Hills theme.
JH to write article for WalkTalk re: Interest on Restricted Funds.
GL to discuss possible gating of "Whitchurch" path with John Henn.
GL to advise Kathryn of Committee's decision regarding Brecon Beacons Way on Wednesdays. 
ALL to forward comments to DD re: RA Draft Strategy;
ALL consider material for inclusion in next WalkTalk and forward to GM.
JN to forward DD details of issues concerning opening times of Bute Park.
JN to send e-mail to Committee members giving background to importance of the Group being pro-active re: reducing carbon emissions.
DD to research generic RA Publicity Officer job description/etc and include on next meeting's agenda.