This has been my second year as Chair of, what I still believe, is a wonderful, very friendly Group, and which benefits from such a large number of very willing volunteers. We have had a good, busy year, finally just about free of COVID concerns for the first time since 2019, with plenty of walks and activities. I hope you all find time to read the newsletters every four months. A lot of effort goes into them particularly by the editor, FM, the proof readers, CC and HD, and of course the contributors.
So some highlights and achievements for the year.
The core of our activities is the walk programme. You have hopefully read JC's report. 265 organised walks during the year with an average attendance of 13, the same as last year. We do have a wide range of attendance on walks but this average is a little disappointing. Before the pandemic we were averaging 17. Reasons are complex but I would like to see a higher number, if only because so much effort goes into organising the walks. Ideas for different walks are always welcome and even if you don’t wish to lead the walk, if it’s suitable, we’ll find a volunteer. This last year, walks with a difference include one linked to an evening meal, one involving an enjoyable Treasure Hunt around Godalming, a Breakfast Walk, a London Walk, walks around Chichester and Winchester, and our annual event hosting the London Blind Walkers. As always, we encourage members who have not yet led a walk to give it a try.
There is always assistance available and short courses for walk leaders can also be arranged. We generally have about 40 different leaders for each four-month walk programme comprising about 90 walks. Wishful thinking maybe but it would be nice to have 90 leaders. It’s quite easy when you know how and nobody worries if you get a bit lost occasionally.
JC here has worked tirelessly this year getting our walks programme integrated into the new Ramblers software called Walks Manager. It has been a difficult phase for many ramblers Groups, including ours, whose existing software does not integrate seamlessly. There are still some problems to be overcome.
And don’t forget the Winter Walks Programme!
Complementary to our walk programme are the coach walks and the walking holidays here in the UK and overseas. These become part social events as well and are always popular, to the extent, unfortunately, we need to have ballots. BB’s report outlines this year’s three coach walks, the three-day Rutland trip and the one week walking trip to the Cinque Terre area on the Ligurian coast of Italy. All very successful, of course. Thanks to BB and JE and all those who helped and participated.
Our social events present opportunities for everyone, and particularly non-walking members, to enjoy something a bit different, meet different members and cement long-term friendships. Hence we link this AGM to a social event after the main business. FM's report gives details of our other events. We held our New Year Lunch in January, a Quiz Evening in February, Photographic Evening in March, (to be renamed the ‘G&H Travel Show’ next time) and a Skittles Evening in October, all most enjoyable and always aided by good food and conversation.
Rights of Way
We have a wonderful network of rights of way on our doorstep (footpaths, bridleways etc) but it doesn’t look after itself. If it’s not nettles and brambles it’s the odd landowner who wants to close or divert a footpath. Local planning applications that interact with rights of way need to be reviewed with our rambling hats on. You have hopefully read the reports by our Local Footpath Secretaries, IW and MF, and our Work Party Leader, JF. A lot of unsung work goes on here and both MF and IW will say a few words later on some specific items. They both maintain a view of all our activities, in conjunction with our volunteer Path Wardens, of whom we have about 8 at present, and they liaise with Surrey County Council, not only on ongoing issues, but also strategic and longer term plans for the network and its enhancement. We also 'do our bit’ by offering manual volunteer services to Surrey County Council with our Work Party. The Council is very dependent on several volunteer groups to help maintain the network. Our Work Party which meets, usually once a month, carries out repair work and vegetation clearance in our local area. JF will always welcome new members on the basis that any help for a few hours a month is welcome. I can personally vouch that the work is always sociable and quite satisfying. A significant success this year is having more members volunteering as Path Wardens to inspect footpaths and carry out minor maintenance in their local area. So thank you very much LW and CV. We also have two more members who I think are about to offer their services which will be excellent. Two or three more would be even better.
Membership
Our membership total has dropped slightly this year although, logically, we should actually have an increase of active members. Many of those leaving are inactive and we like to assume that most joiners would like to become active. But in reality we don’t see many of them and need to find ways of encouraging them. Heather’s report has the details. We continue to put effort into attracting new members. Word of mouth is probably the most effective recruitment tool but Ramblers Central Office promotes membership at roadshows at local markets and these do have some success.
Finance
Financially, we are sound. JB has mastered the Treasurer role in her first year and her report has been presented to you. We are carrying excess funds at present but they are designated for the purchase of kissing gates etc and we have developed a work programme for installation. AH continues to examine the accounts before they are presented to the Ramblers and our thanks go to her for her commitment.
Surrey Area
We stay involved with Surrey Area Council meetings. A big issue this year has been the introduction of the new Walks Manager, and the problems associated with it, which I mentioned before.
As you have hopefully noticed, we are hosting their AGM on 3rd February 2024 at the Wilfrid Noyce Centre. We will be leading three walks beforehand and all our members are welcome to join the walks and/or attend the meeting. We have invited a guest speaker to talk immediately prior to the AGM. Our Social Committee will be organising refreshments in their usual professional way.
The Future
What of this coming year? We need to continue to enjoy our walks and social activities. Lots are already being planned. Any new ideas will be most welcome. It would be lovely to see a boost in our average attendance on walks. We will be celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the formation of Godalming Ramblers next year. Not sure if we will have a 50 mile walk but we will, as a minimum, have a tea party. In 2026, by the way, we shall have to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the amalgamation of Godalming and Haslemere Ramblers. It has been suggested in the past that we find a way to walk the entirety of our geographical boundary. That could be an interesting challenge. Maybe some members here will have a think about it? Our work party is committed to install more kissing gates. Surrey County Council seems to have resolved its manpower shortage so this should be possible. I am hoping we can participate in some more first aid training. Very useful for walk leaders and work party participants. A plug here for the New Year Lunch. There are still several places available so if you are not booked in already the closing date is in about a week’s time.
Finally
We can achieve a busy schedule of activities because we are blessed with many committed volunteers amongst you to make things run so smoothly. Some take on bigger roles than others and that is fine. It all helps to spread the load and if you feel like lending a hand please talk to any member of this Committee or whoever you think appropriate. At this stage I should not only thank the Committee for their various valuable efforts over the past year but also reiterate some key members such as BB and JE for their outstanding commitment to the coach walks and holidays. Cynthia Chard for continuing her thorough proof-reading activities on the Newsletter and Walks Programme, IW and MF as Footpath Secretaries, and JF for the Work Party. What would we do without you?! And finally my sincere thanks to all of you here who contribute to the friendly and co- operative spirit of our Group.
Andy Piercey, Chair 18 November 2023