Annual Report for the Amber Valley Group of the Ramblers’ Association for the year ending November, 2018
Group Committee during the year-
President and Footpath Secretary John Morrissey
Vice President Dick Hall
Chairman Gerry White
Vice Chairman and Membership Secretary Keith Howkins
Deputy Chairman and Webmaster David Davison
Secretary Christine Levasseur
Treasurer Michael Hufton
Away Trips Organisers David and Jane Moore
Programme Co-ordinator John Topliss
Programme Publisher Martin Phillips
Footpath Maintenance and Improvements Michael Poyser, Team Leader
Social Secretary vacant
The Committee has met on two occasions during the year, in May and September, plus the Annual General Meeting. In addition, David Davison, Gerry White and John Morrissey have represented the Group at Derbyshire Area Council meetings.
The Group were represented once again by David Davison and Gerry White at meetings to help formulate the (16th) Amber Valley and Erewash Festival of Autumn Walks programme. We also contributed to the programme and over 100 people attended the 4 walks we led. If anyone else wishes to lead walks, of any distance, for this programme we would be pleased to hear from them.
We published our own walks programme on 2 occasions. Attendances averaging 13 per walk on Sundays, with 20-30 regularly on the shorter Wednesday and Friday walks. We are grateful to those acting as Walk Leaders and will welcome anyone else who is prepared to volunteer to lead.
John Morrissey was again involved with the Derwent Valley Mills Discovery Days programme.
At the time of writing membership stands at 213
Our Footpath Maintenance team have been less active this year, as Derbyshire County Council have much reduced their activities and support for footpath maintenance and repair. Work has been done in May at Codnor Denby Lane installing a gate. But the way ahead without support from the Council is not clear.
Socially we had 2 presentations on winter evenings and once again enjoyed our Annual Dinner at the Lion Hotel, in February.
We had very enjoyable stays in May at Newby Bridge, Cumbria and in October at Ravenscar on the Yorkshire coast. We should thank Jane and David Moore for their time and persistence in arranging these holidays. Any proposals on places to visit in the future will be welcomed.
In the latter part of this year Howard Arthur and Lyn Bradley have come forward as prospective Chairman and Social Secretary respectively. In addition, Sue Glithero has offered to take the post of Secretary, Christine Levasseur stands down as she intimated at the last AGM. These changes, along with any other nominees will be proposed at the AGM.
Gerry White
Chairman
November 2018