ENDURANCE GB SOUTH EAST GROUP

 

MINUTES OF BRANCH ANNUAL MEETING

Held on Saturday 8th December 2007

At Felbridge Village Hall, Felbridge, Surrey

 

Committee Present:

Peter Davenport          (Chairman)                                             

Leo Davenport             (Treasurer & Membership Secretary)

Su Middleton                (Newsletter)                                          

James Chipperfield       (Teams)

Bryony Dickins              (Secretary)

Jane Cook                    (Trophies)                                              

Karen Carruthers         (PR, Marketing & Merchandise)

Maggie Pattinson         (Groups Rep & Rides co-coordinator)

Gemma Bishop             (Training & Sponsorship)

Clare Sadler                 (Ride Equipment)

 

The meeting opened with a short period of silence in memory of Margaret Montgomerie.

 

1.         APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies were received from: Amanda Coleman, Beth Carter, Kay & Alan Anstey, Ursula Wanostrocht, Maggie & Jim Parker and Deborah Kennedy.

2.         MINUTES OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING (from 8th December 2006)

These were approved and signed. Proposed by Sally Clay, seconded by Moira Evans.

3.         MATTERS ARISING

There were no matters arising.

4.         CHAIRMAN’S REPORT

The sad loss of Margaret Montgomerie after a short illness has been felt I think by everyone involved in endurance riding.  Margaret was a founder member of the original endurance riding organisation (EHPS Membership No 1) and has been a prime mover in everything that was happened ever since, including a spell as National Chairman of the EHPS, and being the first UK-based rider to compete abroad.  The discussions at committee meetings are “not the same” without her input, which was always based on experience and well worth listening to.

 

The Committee thought long and hard to decide how best to honour our memories of Margaret and we concluded that an Unsung Hero Award would best sum-up what Margaret did on behalf of us all, even if we were not aware of her efforts.  The award itself is a traditional Scottish Quaiche Bowl – or Bowl of Friendship – which we thought summed up Margaret very well.  I hope the recipients in years to come will continue to remember its significance.

 

The formation of the new Mid South Group was formalised in February ’07 and it has taken part of the SE and Wessex Groups.  After some discussion, and your valuable input, the borders were fixed as the county boundaries of Hampshire and Berkshire and a part of Oxfordshire up to the Cotswold Group border.  In terms of numbers, the Mid South Group has reduced our national membership by approx. 60 and we are likely to lose about 15 SE newsletter subscribers.  It is my hope that the new Group will be the catalyst for increased rides, training and social opportunities for those that live in Hampshire and Berkshire – this has yet to materialise, but I hope will in time.

Rides 2007

·         13 national ride days were planned over 11 rides, of which 3 were cancelled due to F&M (Windsor, Bramshill & Devils Dyke).

·         7 group ride days were planned, of which 3 were cancelled due to weather and F&M (Frensham Vale, North Downs & Halloween).

 

F&M sadly curtailed the season but hopefully did not spoil it too much for you all.

 

Many thanks as always to all ride organisers – without you; we would not have a sport.  Please contact the Committee if you have ideas for routes and, very importantly, venues, even if you do not wish to organise one yourself.

 

We are holding a Ride Organisers Social/Thank You/Discussion Conference including buffet lunch at Newchapel on 9th Feb.  Invitations will be sent to all our ride organisers in the New Year.

 

Also nationally they are holding a Ride Organisers & TS Seminar at Kenilworth on Sat 26th January.

Teams

SE teams were out and about 4 times during the year (Berkshire Downs, New Forest, Lindum and Ludlow).  We WON at Berkshire Downs and hopefully enjoyed the others, even if not winning them.  James is still keen to go onwards and upwards, so please join in during ’08.  We would like to involve as many riders and crews as possible.

Training

There were several events during the year.

·         “Introduction to Endurance” organised by Su – well attended and has lead to some new members.

·         “Moving Upwards” organised by Margaret, which was very informative to those who attended.

·         Gemma has run a number of specialised training seminars in the Kent area.

Social Events

Pub nights continue to be popular and are held on average twice a month somewhere in the Group area.  The Committee gets good feedback in an informal social environment and I hope you feel it is a good opportunity to air your viewpoints.  If there is not one held near you, contact your nearest committee member and get them to do something.

Associate Membership

The AGM formally accepted a framework for Groups to have associate members.  This will be discussed further later in this meeting.

Merchandise

On sale here today for your essential Christmas Shopping – excellent image for the Group.  Many thanks to Karen for having the idea in the first place and then organising it so efficiently in recent years.  Karen has now decided to leave the committee and I would like to publicly thank her for her hard work on behalf of the committee.

Membership Renewals

Please can you check when you receive your National membership card that you have been allocated to the correct Group – i.e. South East – and not Mid South or Cotswold.  You will find it on the sheet of paper they send with the card entitled “Your Membership Information for Endurance GB is enclosed”.  In bold below are your membership details, one of which is Your Local Group is ….

Plans for 2008

v      Bramshill Christmas Ride, 29th Dec (3 weeks time).  Maggie has details here tonight.

v      Unfortunately no new extra National Rides, but existing ones are all running again, some of which are now in the Mid South area.  However, we are always looking for venue/routes and organisers.

v      Three new Group Training Rides. 

Ø       Pyecombe, 24th February – 1st ride of 2008.

Ø       Swingfield, date to be arranged in April – same venue & route as for Halloween.

Ø       Pevensey Levels, 27th July.

v      Another Introduction to Endurance Seminar here at Felbridge on 27th Jan.

 

Many thanks to all of you for making it a good year despite F&M and the South East’s enthusiasm for this sport can be seen by the number of people here today.

 

5.         SECRETARY’S REPORT

The committee have met 6 times during 2007 at the Whyte Harte Pub in Bletchingly.

 

During the year, there has been the very sad loss from the Committee of Margaret Montgomerie.

Subsequently Maggie kindly volunteered to step in to look after coordinating the rides.

 

So the Committee currently consists of:

 

Peter Davenport          (Chairman)                                             

Leo Davenport             (Treasurer & Membership Secretary)

Su Middleton                (Newsletter)                                          

James Chipperfield       (Teams)

Bryony Dickins              (Secretary)

Jane Cook                    (Trophies)                                              

Karen Carruthers         (PR, Marketing & Merchandise)

Maggie Pattinson         (Groups Rep & Rides co-ordinator)

Gemma Bishop             (Training & Sponsorship)

Clare Sadler                 (Ride Equipment)                                   

 

In addition, we've had the help of 2 people who are not on the Committee:

 

Paul Titcombe as Health and Safety Officer.

However, Paul has recently moved to the West Country, hence Roger Middleton, who has experience in Health & Safety, has kindly offered to step in.

 

And Julia Harman as Webmaster.

This is an ongoing job, which takes a lot of time & expertise, and our wholehearted thanks go to Julia.

 

 

6.         TREASURER'S & MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY'S REPORT - NOV 2007

Accounts to 31st December 2006:

 

 

 

 Year to 31/12/2006

 4 Months to 31/12/2005

 

Opening Bank Balance

 £                 2,648.34

 £                             591.09

 

Opening Cash Float held

 £                            -  

 £                               80.00

Income

 

 

 

 

Newsletter subscriptions

 £                 1,140.00

 £                             570.00

 

Newsletter adverts

 £                    285.00

 £                                     -  

 

Group Ride receipts

 £                 6,312.00

 £                          1,497.00

 

Group training sessions

 £                    251.50

 £                               48.00

 

AGM & Awards dinner

 £                    733.00

 £                             995.00

 

Merchandise Sold

 £                 1,197.50

 £                          1,483.00

 

Donations

 £                            -  

 £                               89.33

 

Sponsorship

 £                    500.00

 £                                     -  

 

Miscellaneous

 £                            -  

 £                             115.00

Total Income

 

 £               10,414.00

 £                          4,797.33

 

 

 

 

Expenditure

Group Ride expenses

 £                 2,607.76

 £                             236.60

 

Group Ride rosettes

 £                    438.77

 £                                     -  

 

Printing, postage & stationery

 £                 1,667.20

 £                                     -  

 

Committee travel expenses

 £                    148.18

 £                                 7.50

 

Events and seminars

 £                    320.72

 £                               34.50

 

AGM & Awards Dinner expenses

 £                    459.00

 £                             504.97

 

AGM Rosettes, trophies

 £                    496.19

 £                             320.29

 

Purchase of ride equipment

 £                    115.42

 £                                     -  

 

Payments to EGB

 £                    475.00

 £                             137.85

 

Donations

 £                 1,189.36

 £                             674.29

 

Website

 £                    194.59

 £                                     -  

 

Miscellaneous

 £                            -  

 £                               35.00

 

Merchandise

 £                    983.10

 £                             876.58

Total Expenditure

 

 £                 9,095.29

 £                          2,820.08