Annual General Meeting of Ramblers’ Group held at 10.30am on 2nd November 2019 at Southgate Community Centre, Bury St Edmunds. Attendance 40. Rosie welcomed everyone to the meeting especially new attendees. 1. Apologies for Absence:- recorded. 2. Minutes of last AGM held on 3rd November 2018:- were agreed and signed. Proposed by Ron West, seconded by Chris Harrison. 3. Matters Arising:- Rosie spoke about practical footpath work. Dave Bennett who set up Bury Bramblers has stood down as co-ordinator and appreciation expressed to him for all he has contributed in the seven years since its inception. An Area Footpath Maintenance Team is being established, headed up by Nigel Meadows, to co-ordinate use of equipment and volunteers including training needs county-wide, irrespective of Group boundaries. Fitting to think it was Nigel who helped us initially in setting up Bury Bramblers. 4. Chairman’s Annual report:- Rosie gave her report accompanied by on screen pictures. Bury Group membership stands at 380, down slightly due to revised method of calculation but a steady influx of new members, 34 this year. Numbers on our walks consistent or increasing. Rosie thanked Julia and all who had contributed to another very diverse programme of walks and events. Our Late New Year lunch was well attended but venue changed to Dragonfly for this coming January to benefit from quieter dining area, please get bookings in promptly. Our 10 th consecutive "April Break" – this year based in Great Malvern – accommodated 59 of us enjoying some spectacular walks and views; and our first Flexi-break, announced at our last AGM, was a tremendous success with special appreciation to Gavin, and bookings are coming in for next year. The St Edmund Way was walked again this year after being waymarked 7 years ago. A new route is being devised for next year from Southwold to Bury, with special appreciation again to Ron, the first day being the seaside trip to Southwold. Rosie congratulated those who had risen to new walking challenges this year, and thanked those who continue "to go the extra mile" on behalf of the group. 5. Treasurer’s Annual Report:- Richard presented the financial figures for both accounts up to 30 th September 2019, supported by on screen charts. They had been examined and signed by Paul Harrison. Main Account: Richard went through the figures for the main account. Requested the full allocation from Central Office this year. Received donations totalling £86.80 from last years AGM and Boxing Day walks, also £140 from Ramblers Holidays. Main expenditure was on printed programmes, numbers have since been reduced. Enquires from prospective new members will now be emailed a PDF copy. Postage £116. AGM and admin costs up slightly, spent £14.20 more than income. Social Account: Events were well supported, priced at best estimate on a stand alone basis. Late lunch 89 attended, income £1,602 cost £1,780 planned subsidy of £178. Raffle raised £231.50. Pancake Day walk and lunch 58 ramblers, money even. April Break 59 ramblers, income £23,841.50 expenses £23,659.27 surplus £182.23. May Bank Holiday coach trip to Norwich 44 ramblers, money even. Summer Social 40 attended surplus £29.90, couple cancelled and requested treat as donation. St Edmund Way walk, end of walk meal paid by members discount card, requested £50 surplus treated as donation. Aldeburgh Coach Trip surplus £129.00 partly due to cancellations and payments requested treated as donations, all seats were subsequently filled. Thank you for the donations. General Income, New Year Lunch Raffle £231.50 and £50.00 from St Edmund Way walkers. General Expenses, hi-viz waistcoats, summer and winter centre programme pages, including flexi break flyer leaflets and importantly part payment, with County Council, of printing Walk leaflets £350.00. Net general expenses minus £181.70. Bank balance £4,358.81, committed funds for next year’s events £3,435.45. Working balance of £936.36. Accounts agreed, proposed Jenny Bradin seconded by Jean Buxton. 6. Footpath Secretaries’ Reports:- Jenny thanked everyone for their best wishes and chose a few highlights to report on. A footpath has seen a hole made in a fence and a bridge being built but the path leads nowhere! Bridge replacement at Mildenhall still not resolved, access is the problem. No decision has been made following the Network Rail Public Inquiries, level crossings are still open. All Saints Hotel, , planned to build new bedroom wing but it crossed a Rights of Way footpath and a subsequent diversion not acceptable and legal processes not followed. Application withdrawn. New application put in with covered walkway and permitted path. Planning application to build 70 lodges on golf course objected to. Application withdrawn and new application to build 37 lodges on south side submitted, after meeting with owner agreed to withdraw the objection. Public inquiry at , a John Andrews case, came down in favour of footpath. Stanton, farmer tried to close a footpath parallel with the Grundle supported by SCC awaiting objections, will probably go to a public inquiry. Brecks Fen Edge and Rivers project has secured funding of 3 million pounds. This could lead to access routes along river between and , to , to Honington and circular routes taking in the Blackbourne also to and to Barton Mills. SCC have asked Bury Ramblers to help with the footpath survey along part of , Ron, Lynne and Derek have taken part in this work. Dave Bennett was thanked for his persistence in clearing a path and ensuring that bales of straw were removed. Lynne reported on a footpath at Norton where the farmer has asked for a diversion and also offered to create a new footpath, diversion has been agreed and the applicant will pay costs. Diversions agreed around gardens in Great Welnetham and Stowlangtoft. Bury to Rougham Bridleway will be taken in on a Tuesday walk. Lynne also mentioned electric fence hazard at Boxted. New bridleway from Barrow to Saxham. Planned new homes at Thurston will affect footpaths and new footpath at Rougham. Lynne thanked Jenny and Derek for their help. Rosie thanked Jenny and Lynne for their reports supported by on screen maps showing routes, and for the amount of work they represented. 7. Election of Officers and Committee:- Rosie thanked all committee members for their work during the past year. Gavin had been co-opted onto Group committee on 22nd October as Technology Officer, a role he is also undertaking at Area level. As no new nominations had been received and all the current members agreed to stand it was decided to vote the committee back en bloc. Proposed by Paul Harrison, seconded by Chris Flood. Ron expressed appreciation to Rosie for all she does on behalf of the group. 8. Appointment of Area Council Representatives:- Julia Bradbury has decided to step down and was thanked for her regular attendance at Area meetings. Dave H and Gavin would be continuing as they have roles on the Area Council. Richard agreed to continue as our group representative. All agreed with appreciation. 9. Appointment of Accounts Examiner:- Paul Harrison has kindly agreed to continue as accounts examiner. Proposed by Julia Bradbury, seconded by Janet Lerwell. Duly appointed. 10. Any Other Business:- Rosie distributed copies of the Nowton walks leaflet. Will be available at our Tourist Information Points, pleased to have local walks leaflet. Gavin then gave a talk on his new role as Technology Officer. He mentioned the new App that can be installed on smart phones. Ramblers Routes will be available on the app in November. He gave a presentation in quiz format that explained why Ramblers Central Office require walk register attendance figures. He explained the Suffolk Area Digital Vision 2020. Working with Central Office, helping to define volunteer roles for Group and Area. We are indebted to Gav for his expertise and commitment in taking this forward.

Meeting Closed 12.50pm to be followed by lunch and short afternoon walk including Walk Register application.