AGM minutes 19 04 26

Ivybridge Walking Club AGM Minutes

California Inn, Sunday 19th April 2026

1.     Welcome by Chairperson

2.     Apologies

Peter & Hilary, Malcolm, Steve & Rona, Jacqui, Lynda, Mandy & Rupert, Julie, Susie, Sandra, Jan & Dave, Roy & Viv

3.     Confirmation of minutes of previous AGM

4.     Matters arising

         New bank account – see details in Treasurer’s Report

   Walk Leaders – please annotate in your walk notes whether you will be at the P&R or will meet group at the walk start point.

   Sunday drinks club at Imperial, Ivybridge – 1st non walking Sunday of each month. For details of this and other social events add your name to Jan R’s social WhatsApp group.

   Are we a fair-weather walking club? It was agreed, after discussion, that walks would proceed unless a weather warning is issued. In the case of inclement, but not severe weather, the walk leader may modify the route or offer an alternate route, where possible.

   The WhatsApp Group will be used for warnings only and to advise of cancellations – there is no need to respond to these messages.

   ACTION: cancellations will be updated on the website, when possible.

   ACTION: walk notes to include a disclaimer that walks may be cancelled or amended at short notice.

5.     Chair’s report

A healthy year with great walks and social events and a healthy bank balance.

Thank you to Paul for organising the Defib training.

Thank you to everyone who led a walk and to those who turned up.

Subs remain at £10 and there is a surplus in the bank account. It is proposed that some funds are used for public transit costs for linear walks or those further afield. Some walks may also be offered in addition to the regular fortnightly schedule.

The AGM in 2027 will be earlier with a possible date being Sunday 21st February. Subs may be due earlier next year in line with an end of February deadline.

6.     Treasurer’s report

After some difficulty the bank account has successfully been transferred from Lloyds to NatWest, with no monthly charges.

Account balance at previous AGM approximately £800, current balance £1,330 with some further memberships outstanding. If all are received the balance will be £1,360.

Deadline for subs is the end of April 2026.

Membership has increased from 45 to 51.

Annual insurance £55 – this is the only major expense and is 50% lower than previous year.

ACTION: The committee will explore options for charitable donations and updating the First Aid kits. See note 10.

A reduction in subs may be considered in the future, if the balance remains healthy.

7.     Walk co-ordinator’s report

Thanks to all walk leaders, especially new members who have stepped up to lead a walk.

Good variety of moorland, coastal and country walks including Bodmin, Otter, far side of Dartmoor. Fred has created a map to show majority of the walks and will send by email.

New leaders are welcome – no qualification required – good idea to buddy with an experienced walk leader for first walk(s). Always make a Plan B.

Please send walk details by email to IWCdevon@gmail.com. Include distance, type of terrain, brief description, grid reference and w3w location for start point of walk.

Please check with venue if a debrief is planned – can they accommodate the group?

All walks filled to Christmas 2026 and some into January 2027. Please send walk details ASAP, no need to wait until the last week or so before the walk.

If you are back marker, please don’t allow yourself to fall behind. Let’s all look after each other, especially at junctions.

Walk Leaders – please pace the walk to ensure no one is left behind.

8.     Social secretary’s report

Thanks for attending the AGM today.

Thank you to fellow committee members.

IWC is approaching its 20th anniversary!

Successful year of events including cinema trips, Christmas walk and lunch, quizzes, marshalling for the Rotary Club.

This year’s Christmas walk will be on Sunday 13th December 2026 – any ideas for an alternative walk and venue please discuss with Jan R.

Please let Jan R know if you want to join (or leave) the social WhatsApp group.

Our Land (movie) is due for release in May 2026, a documentary that explores the age-old debate of land and power, amid the fight for greater access to nature, will be screened in Totnes on 18th, 19th & 27th May.

9.     Election of officers

Thanks to all committee members for their efforts throughout the year.

All committee members agreed to continue and were re-elected for a further year.

10.   Charity Fundraising Walk

Kathy & Alan’s son is walking Hadrian’s Way in May for the Woodbury Salterton Dumbutu Link – a small charity linking his Devon village with Dumbutu in rural Gambia.  The funds will be used to fund education that is not free in Dumbutu.

ACTION: it was agreed that IWC would donate funds equivalent to schooling for three pupils.

12.   Any other business

Our resident author John has recently published his second book entitled Thanks for the Dance, a collection of short stories and poems. Available to club members at £5.

 13. Meeting closed.