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RAMBLERS ASSOCIATION - CARDIFF GROUP 
Minutes of meeting held 5^th April 2012 at Wales Office

Present: Gwyn Lewis (GL), John Newton (JN), Diane Davies (DD), Paul Davies (PD), Dave Willock (DW), Jane Willock (JW), Gillian Masters (GM), Caroline Davies (CD).
Apologies: Roma Whiteley (RW), Jeff Hobden (JH), Mike Kohnstamm (MK), Kathryn Bennett (KB) 
Chair for meeting: meeting chaired by JN.
CD was welcomed to her first meeting as a co-opted member.

1.	Minutes of meeting held 12^th October 2011:  These were approved and there were no matters arising.

2.	Report on Virtual meeting held between 26^th January and 2^nd February 2012:  the actions taken were approved and the only matters arising are those on the present agenda.

3.	Area Walk 2012: Scout Hut, Pontcanna Fields booked and refreshments are organised.  JN to contact GL so that an e-mail request for volunteer stewards to help attendees and control car-parking can be made nearer the date.

4.	Welsh Council:  a brief report was given of the days events.  The issue of the 2013 venue was discussed, given that the present choice, Kidwelly, is likely not to prove suitable; agreed we would be happy to offer Cardiff as a venue should that prove necessary. 

5.	Officers reports
a)	Treasurer:  Bank balance is £2303.  Agreed with Creigiau Coaches that payment for the coaches should be a few days in advance of each trip.  The postage rise and its impact on mail-out costs was discusssed.  Agreed to buy September requirement now, before the rise comes into effect.  JN to contact RW.
b)	Sunday walks:  DW reported that on one Sunday walk only non-car owners were at the Sherman.  Agreed that no real provision could be made for such an eventuality but that where it was known that the leader would not be going down to the Sherman a note to this effect would be added to the Walk details.
c)	Membership: Group membership is 658 at present, a slight increase.  Monthly Direct debits have been introduced and there is a 50% discount to new members until 31^st July joining on-line.  KB has offered to be Membership secretary when RW stands down; her offer was unanimously accepted.
d)	Footpath Officer: GL confirmed that individual gating orders continue to be received.
e)	Rambles:  Coach trips - all very healthy in terms of booking with Gower trip over-subscribed.
f)	Family walks:  KB raised the issue that we use the services of Amelia Trust Farm but make no payment for them.  Agree that we would pay any charges in the future if asked for.  In the light of the fact that we have already used Amelia Trust Farm three times for Family Walks we would pay £25 to the Trust to cover the cost of these visits.  JN to contact KB.
g)	Secretary:  (i) DD reported that we are participating in the Sustainability Festival (29^th June to 8^th July) by including our planned walks for the period in their programme.  (ii) Cardiff Walks:  DD reported that she was waiting on MK for the 1:50000 map of Sully/Cosmeston Area in order to complete that walk.  Also she was awaiting revisions to St Mellons –  Micheaelston-le-Fedw – Cefn Mably walk but JN reported that he believed JH had done them; DD to contact JH to check the situation. 
h)	Publicity: PD thanked Roma for organising the Central Library and May 5^th venues.  He wanted those at the May 5^th stall to compare our material with other attendees to see if we wished to suggest improvements.

6.  AOB:  The letter from the Chief Executive on the Walking Partnership was discussed and it was agreed await further developments before making any decisions about continuing in the scheme.