GR 2018 Final
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October 2018 Newsletter of the Glamorgan Area YOUR AREA NEEDS YOU This year’s AGM sees the retirement of Tony Yule as Area Chair. He reluc- tantly took on the role three years ago but has proved an inspiring Chair for the Area. He has ensured that the Area Council now has a sense of direc- tion and purpose in working towards the Ramblers charitable aims and has ably run their meetings. At the time of writing this no one has stepped for- ward to fill this vital role. WOULD YOU BE INTERESTED? If you are, do contact Tony (Tel: 029 2089 0621) to discuss and learn more about the job. VoG Ramblers on BBC Breakfast June 2018 (see their report for more detail) Diane Davies - Editor and enjoyed learning about many as- in their Area. On your behalf I would pects of the Ramblers’ work. We have like to sincerely thank our many volun- decided that, at the same time as my teers for their contributions to their CHAIRMAN three year stint as your Chairman ex- group’s successes by giving their time pires, it is time to go. in administrative posts and leading Another year has passed and I hope walks. We could not function without that you have had the chance to enjoy Ramblers’ Areas over Wales differ in their support. much of the Welsh countryside on their organisation and relationship your own, with friends, or with one or with their groups. In our case the Area Since last year the Area has been col- more of our twelve groups. is mainly a forum for discussion and lecting statistics on the number of led the dissemination of Ramblers’ direc- walks. Unfortunately, not all groups My wife, Marvi, and I have been Taff- tives and advice; it is the groups’ com- have submitted figures for all of the Ely’s representatives on the Area com- mittees who organise their walk months but the extrapolated figures mittee since the days prior to the spilt programs, other events, finances and show that in the year from August of the Gwent and Glamorgan Areas work to protect the rights of way net- 2017 to July 2018 there were over over twenty years ago. During this work. Some also have working parties 1,700 led walks with around 27,000 time we have made numerous friends who improve the walking environment participants. GLAMORGAN AREA AGM (open to all members) SATURDAY 10th NOVEMBER 2018 at 2:00pm At Welsh St Donats Community Hall, Cornelly Cross, Welsh St Donats, CF71 7SS Speaker: Elena Bianchi, Sustrans Cymru. With a five mile leisurely morning walk starting at 10:30am from the venue 1 Each group is entitled to send two fer walking with regular colleagues. I The Basic Allocation to Groups was voting members to the four Area meet- expect this topic to be on the agenda of £95 per group plus £0.98 per member ings held each year in Cowbridge. I our coming AGM, (see notice on page (in 2016/17 it was £95 & £0.95). Total thank all those who attended for their 1) so make your views known to your Group Funding was £5,450 (in contributions. One of my aims as delegates, or even better, come along 2016/17 it was £5,365). By reducing Chairman has been to encourage as and tell us yourself. our funding request, with group fund- many people as possible to express ing increasing, we planned for a deficit their opinions, hopefully not all at The dreaded General Data Protection this year. I forecast that we will have once! There have been differences of Regulations have affected our commu- a deficit in 2017/18 of £1,220 against a opinion but members have always nications with you all. This annual budget deficit of £2,890. This will been polite and courteous. I must also report and groups’ walks programs are bring our reserves to £8,100, 85% of acknowledge the massive support I considered as membership material total expenditure, below the limit of have received from the full comple- and we are permitted to send them to 100%. ment of the Area’s honorary officers; all members. However there has been this greatly simplified my task. I am much pruning of groups’ email lists. I give comparative figures in the sum- confident my successor will receive Make sure that you have contacted marised Receipts & Payments Ac- similar backing. head office to ensure that your mem- counts shown in the Table below. bership details and contact preferences Kate Morgan, our Ramblers’ Area are up to date. I have often stated that it is important Support Officer, has contributed to for us to spend our resources on The some of these meetings. Recently she To finish I trust that you will all enjoy Ramblers charitable objectives. The met Gwyn Lewis and me with ideas on another year of walking and hope that Area holds reserves to do this, and will improving meetings. Hopefully the you continue to support the Ramblers’ provide part funding to groups for next Chairman will continue to receive in their aims to protect the walking projects such as footpath work or pub- her support and implement some of environment. licity. In 2017/18 we gave a grant of her ideas. £265 to Swansea Group for installing Tony Yule gates on a footpath in Gower. It is With sadness I must report the deaths disappointing that, for various reasons, of four of our prominent members; no further grants were paid. Barbara Palmer and Val Hartrey from TREASURER Penarth, Michael Carey from the Vale On a similar point, can I ask groups to and Vernon Davies from Swansea. The financial situation of The Ram- remind their Footpath Officers that Their active support to Ramblers in a blers continues to be stable, and the they can claim expenses from Area. variety of ways will be missed by all. devolution of control over Area and They do a lot of work on behalf of the Group funding to Welsh Council has public, and are our main contact with Our thanks go to the Cynon Valley become established. local councils. They should not be Group for arranging the three Area seriously out of pocket. walks. In the last two years these have Our initial funding request for been affected by poor weather and the 2017/18 was £8,000, with three Our Budget Application for 2018/19 numbers attending have been reduced groups: Cardiff, Vale of Glamorgan, has been submitted, and is awaiting despite the fact that groups did not and Swansea submitting budgets. approval. We have requested £8,000 arrange any competing walks. Person- WCEC increased Swansea’s funding total funding (in 2017/18 it was ally I enjoy these occasions as a chance request by £250 to avoid their reserves £8,250). Group funding has reduced to meet old friends and make new falling too low, so our total request considerably to £3,632 (in 2017/18 it contacts. However other walkers pre- was £8,250 (in 2016/17 it was £8,700). was £5,450). Only Merthyr Vale, who have low reserves, submitted a budget. 9 Months to The other Groups, including Cardiff, 2016/17 June 2018 2017/18 2018/19 are happy to accept their basic alloca- Actual Actual Budget Budget tion. A concern is that this represents a low level of activity in the Area, Reserves b/f 9,204 9,320 9,320 8,100 which may need to be addressed. Total Income 8,780 6,247 8,310 8,060 By reducing the Area funding request, we are forecasting a deficit for 2018/19 Group Funding 5,365 5,450 5,450 3,632 of £1,522. This will reduce our Re- Newsletters/publicity 2,799 3,121 3,100 3,500 serves Percentage to 69%. Practical work 126 318 1,400 1,100 Meetings 359 311 850 950 I would like to thank Group Treasur- Admin 15 10 400 400 ers, and the officers and members of Other 50 Area Council, for their attention to financial matters. I am confident that Total Payments 8,664 9,260 11,200 9,582 we have the resources to promote the enjoyment of walking for members Surplus/Deficit () 116 (3,013) (2,890) (1,522) and the public. Reserves c/f 9,320 6,307 6,430 6,578 Ian Fraser 2 GENERAL SECRETARY diff); Short Walk Leader Training Ramblers can keep you advised of (in Port Talbot) and Advanced Rambler initiatives and developments. 1. Events & AGMs Public Rights of Way Training & Mapping (in Cardiff). Ramblers Gwyn Lewis Glamorgan Area AGM (held Octo- Cymru are keen to offer further ber 2017): Many thanks to Swansea volunteer training and welcome Group for hosting the event (though suggestions from groups. Group there was no need to invite Storm Committees are requested to con- FOOTPATH SECRETARY Brian). Thanks also to the Guest sult with their members and submit Speakers Aled Elwyn Jones (Tiger any training suggestions to Ram- Rights of Way Improvement Plans Bay Rambler) and Rebecca Brough blers Cymru. There is a duty under the CROW Act (Ramblers Cymru). Our 2018 Area 2000 (s. 61) on Local Authorities to AGM starts at 2pm on 10th Novem- 2. General Data Protection Regu- make a ten year prioritised plan to ber at Welsh St Donats Community lation (GDPR) improve their Public Rights of Way Hall. All Glamorgan Area members The big event troubling Group Chairs (PRoW) networks to benefit all users: are invited to attend; contact your and Secretaries this year has been walkers, cyclists, horse riders, off-road Group Secretary for details.