Kensington, Chelsea and Westminster Ramblers Group

Minutes of the 34th Annual General Meeting held at 2.15 pm on Saturday 30 November 2024 at St Paul’s Church, Marylebone

Those present:

Officers: John Rogers (Chair); Sandra Exell (Secretary); Sue Chinn (Treasurer); Ann Archbold (Membership Secretary); Sue Trenhaile (Programme Coordinator).

Committee Member: Myfanwy Roberts

Group Members: Peter G. Stead; Dominic Pinto; Eileen Terry; Suzanne Fletcher; Mervyn Fletcher; David Levey; Tim Sai Louie

1. Apologies for Absence: Marion Winwood; Adele Charles; Maureen Shilston; Penny Thesen.

2. Minutes of the AGM on 18 November 2023: Approved, signed by John Rogers.

3. Matters Arising: None.

4. Reports

(a) Chairman’s Report

As well as our regular Walks Programme, KCW Committee also hosted additional social events.

On Sun 1st September, KCW held a Stall at the ‘Friends of Brompton Cemetery’ Event. It was a lovely sunny day under the trees in the cemetery and many people expressed interest in the Ramblers publicity pamphlets; pens etc. that we gave out.

Obviously, not all visitors were from the KCW area, so we couldn’t see whether many had joined the Ramblers subsequently, but we all agreed that it had been a worthwhile and enjoyable event. My thanks to Sandra Exell; Sue Trenhaile; Myfanwy Roberts; Stewart James and John Sudding for their help.

Earlier in the year, in January, KCW had hosted a social event at The Albion pub. We had a good turn-out and an enjoyable evening helped by a welcoming pub in the dull days of January.

KCW plan to host another visit to The Albion on Monday 13th January. Look out for this on the KCW Website for confirmation.

On a personal note, Sue Chinn chose to step down after many years in the post as Treasurer and other roles. We will miss her and the positive spirit she brought to the work. We wish her well in her new activities.

(b) Secretary’s Report

Nothing to report

(c) Treasurer’s Report

Sue Chinn presented the audited accounts for the year 2023-2024, which have been accepted by the Area Treasurer. She thanked Penny Thesen for auditing these accounts.

As shown in the left-hand column we spent £174.59, on the hire of this hall for the AGM and some postage Please note the error in the total on the accounts, not spotted by the auditor or Area Treasurer! We paid more for hall hire, due to the difficulties encountered in hiring our previous venue. Income was £80 received from Ramblers Worldwide Holidays, so that we made a loss of £94.59.

The basic allocation was declined for 2024-2025 as little expenditure is expected.

Questions were invited.

Adoption of the accounts was proposed by Ann Archbold and seconded by Sue Trenhaile.

(d) Membership Secretary’s Report

During the period 1 October 2023 to 30 September 2024 we gained 68 new members plus 3 reinstated after late payment of subscriptions, giving a total of 71. However, in the same period we lost a total of 69 members, 28 whose membership lapsed because of non-payment of subscriptions (some of whom were subsequently reinstated), 25 who resigned, 9 who moved to a different group or area, 5 who left the group, and 2 deceased.

                                MEMBERSHIP AS AT 30 SEPTEMBER 2024

                                                                                                              2023      2024

Life Individual                                                                                         20          20

Life Joint                                                                                                   6            6

Annual Individual                                                                                   182        182

Annual Joint                                                                                             64          66

Total                                                                                                       272         274

This figure of 274 does not include a number of members whose subscription had not yet been paid.

Of the resignations during the past year, quite a few were members who had joined only a year or two before. Head Office do not say if people give reasons for resigning so soon after joining. One wonders if it is because they should have joined the Strollers or wanted marathon walks!

Since the end of September we have had 13 new members and lost 9, with a net gain of 4, so numbers are slowly increasing since the huge drop during lockdown.

Figures accepted.

Approved: Sue Chinn.  Seconded: Myfanwy Roberts

(e) Programme Coordinator’s Report

Sue T thanked Stewart James (webmaster) for maintaining the website, he will continue to do this.

Overview: Extrême mud and waterlogged ground predominated during winter/spring months - with some ongoing transport issues. However, as we now have a web-only, short-term, publishing programme we were able to adapt at relatively short notice, with more urban walks being slotted in to cope and only one walk having to be cancelled at the last minute. Summer brought drier weather but some freak extremely hot days made for occasional unpleasant walking and correspondingly lower numbers in some cases.

Walks: A total of 56 walks were run during this period (8 more than last year), mostly in the moderate 9/10 mile range with some longer (12/14 miles) and the occasional shorter and more leisurely walk.

Of these, 28 were joint with other Groups (Hampstead and - more recently - Hammersmith, Fulham & Wandsworth), and 16 of these being led by one KCW leader.

Leaders: While we strive to retain separate geographical groups the proportion of joint walks will increase to enable sharing of leaders and boosting support/numbers. There are simply not enough leaders to go round - long-standing leaders (and walkers) are ageing and dropping out - and there are no younger members stepping up to replace them.

Looking Ahead: The trend for walkers to cherry-pick walks from across the Inner London Area continues and on most of our walks now less than 30% of walkers are actually KCW members and few if any are new members. There is no longer the feeling of a ‘group’ identity when walking with any of the London postcode groups. Has the old model already been overtaken by events and the rapid advance in available technology?

Comments were invited.

Report accepted.

Approved: Eileen Terry, Seconded: Ann Archbold

5. Election of Honorary Officers and Committee for 2024/25

The following members had been proposed and seconded:

These were all elected nem. con.

7. Appointment of Representatives to Serve on the Inner London Area Council

                                                                                 Proposer                      Seconder

John Rogers                                                             Sue Chinn                    Sue Trenhaile

Dominic Pinto                                                           Sue Chinn                    Sue Trenhaile

8. Any Other Business: None

The meeting closed at 2.30 pm.