Author: Diane Davies

RAMBLERS ASSOCIATION - CARDIFF GROUP 

Minutes of meeting held Monday 6 October 2008 at Ramblers Cymru Offices

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

1.  Chair for meeting: meeting chaired by DD.
 
2.  Minutes of the last meeting: minutes for 12 August 2008 were accepted. 

3.  Matters arising:
a) Peter Scott - further discussion. Agreed to further monitoring. 
b) Derek Coles Fund - agreed that remaining monies be forwarded to RA.
c) RA Child Protection Policy - GL confirmed that Policy Summary sent to Walk Leaders via email and hand delivered letter. Some letters still to be distributed.
d) JN confirmed having completed/submitted RA Countryside Campaign Questionnaire.
e) JN confirmed that he'd be offering his walks in the Winter Walks Programme for the University Welsh Learner initiative.
f) DD confirmed no response to WalkTalk request for volunteers to man Health & Wellbeing Day stand. 
 
4.  AGM arrangements:
~ Yvonne Weeding was pleased to accept invite to be Group's Honorary President. DD to check-out possible certificate to be presented to Yvonne at AGM.
~ JN agreed to Chair AGM if required.
~ DD & RG gave apologies of absence for the AGM.
~ DD to finalise arrangements regarding: slide show screen & extension leads (City Church); slide projector (GM); refreshments (Val Hamilton).

5. Officers Reports: 
a) Treasurer: emailed report accepted.  
b) Footpath Officer: discussion on recent Footpath Orders received from Cardiff Council:
~ Stopping Up footpath to rear of Crumlin Drive & Machen Close, St Mellons - agreed to withdraw Group's holding objection;
~ Stopping Up footpath to rear of M&S Store, Queens Street - agreed not to raise objection;
~ Diversion Order Bridleway No. 2 Capel Llanilltern - agreed not to raise objection;
~ Alley Gate Closures in Riverside Area - from maps provided by the Council it appeared that whilst proposed gating affected residents there was little or no affect on general public. If GL's on-site inspection confirmed this, then no objection to be raised.
c) Secretary: report issued pre-meeting.
~ Accident Book entries: Jean James.
d) Membership: RW confirmed Sept'08 membership 686.
e) Publicity: Agreement that Short Walk leaflets needed to be distributed to usual outlets as matter of urgency. DD to contact PD. 
f) Countryside: Agreement that Group not to get involved in opposition to Council plans for improving Bute Park Access;
g) Rambles Officer: 
~ proposed that the size/layout of the Group's printed Programme be reviewed. MK to review/report. 
~ proposed that Group's web page not have copy of Walks Programme as present, but have link to RA Walk Finder site instead. MK to consider.
~ outlined Kathryn Bennett's proposed Family Walks. Agreement to support and consider budget to advertise the walks.
h) Others:
~ RG confirmed having responded to Rhymney River & Nant Fawr Questionnaire;
~ AJ confirmed that this Summer's coach trips had all made a surplus.

6. AOB: 
~ AJ raised concern that some walkers were not following "accepted" walk rules/etiquette (eg walking ahead of the leader), causing disruption to walks and imposing additional pressures on the Walk Leader. GL to communicate via Walk Talk and at Walk Leaders Evening.
~ discussion on concerns raised over Trevor Whatley doing the longer walks. Committee members on walks with Trevor to observe/feedback.

The Ramblers Association is a company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales. Company registration number: 4458492. Registered Charity in England and Wales number: 1093577. Registered office: 2nd floor, Camelford House, 87-90 Albert Embankment, London SE1 7TW.