Minutes of meeting held 12/11/24
Present – Darren Haynes (Chairman), Graham Jeffs (Treasurer and President), Dan Street (Road Race Secretary), Paget Cohen (Press Secretary and Club Rides Coordinator) and Neil Edwards (Time-Trial Secretary)
Apologies for absence – Gina Boakes (Women’s Representative and Members Secretary)
Minutes of Last Meeting (13th August 2024) – Accepted.
Officers Reports
- Chairman (DB) –
Website – GoDaddy have charged us £800 so far in 2024 to run website (including £120 for SSL). NE opined that given content and traffic this should be nearer to £50. GJ agreed to check past few years’ of website fees and DH to query GoDaddy directly as to what these charges are for.
- Secretary (PC took minutes) –
Post vacant – Nothing to report.
- Treasurer (GJ) –
Rule 21 – GJ has noted that we have been awarding prizes toi riders when Club Rule 21 that only first shall be awarded if 8 or fewer entries, and second when more than 8 and fewer than 20. To be applied in 2025
CTT affiliation/contacts – These have to be submitted to CTT by 31st December. Normally that would be CLub Secretary. As that post is vacant the Time-Trial Secretary (NE) has volunteered.
Changes to bank terms – Lloyds have changed our account from a business to a Community Account, for not-for-profit organisations. They have also introduced a monthly management fee (<£5/month) and fees (<£1 per transaction) for cash and cheque transactions, plus any electronic banking transactions beyond 100 per month. The Committee thought these fees acceptable given won’t amount to much and would probably be charged whichever bank we used.
2023 awards presentation – It was felt that it was too late for any awards ceremony so GJ will email winners and invite then to collect from his home or at 2025 AGM
2024 awards presentation – GJ needs to know who has won each competition. NE and DH agreed to work together to calculate and populate the results spreadsheet with guidance from GJ as to criteria.
Account balance – £8083.40 at end of October, which is lower than past years due to losses incurred by Crits, amongst other things.
Succession – GJ to liaise with Graham Faultless in time for him taking on role in 2025.
- Time-Trial Secretary (NE) –
Newsletter – Autumn edition is in progress and just needs to be “pulled together” proof-read and formatted. PC to add short article on cyclo-cross news.
Website – Wire framework is in place. Next step is costing, design and development. Would normally cost circa £2,000, but NE hopes to call in favours and reduce this significantly.
2025 Time Trials – NE has had no reply from Eastbourne Rovers CC to emails requesting discussion on pooling resources on Evening 10s. Given limited resources and interest he proposed to reduce the number of 10s to 8, in addition to the 3 circuits and hill climb. This approach was agreed.
NE noted that despite limited participation by Wanderers the Club actually performed well in ESCA events. It was thought that by encouraging slightly more Wanderers to compete in ESCA events we might win some trophies and thereby create a sense of competing as a “team” – NE and DH to promote.
Membership Recruitment – NE noted that trainSharp is “splintering” with coaches leaving and taking riders with them. They are less able to provide what their remaining riders want and this could prove an opportunity to persuade riders to join LWCC. DS had also discussed this with Jon Sharples who wouldn’t necessarily object. It was agreed that this is something we should investigate as a means to boost (racing) membership (and sell kit).
- Road Race Secretary (DS) –
trainSharp offer – DS has spoken to Jon Sharples and he will honour the offer of a third training package at reduced cost to Lewes Wanderers. Given the situation at trainSharp it is not clear if the same offer will again be offered in 2025
Crits – Nothing is confirmed for 2025. DS has been in discussion with John Powell (JP) who has agreed to organise and promote races, although LWCC would have to remain the BC link. JP has applied to highways for the course to be re-routed down Half Mile Drove and for that to be made one-way (in race direction) during the race. AMS are still to be confirmed and are unlikely to be until quite late, but JP may be able to provide marshalls. It is proposed to contact Laughton residents with a view to engaging and involving them in making this a local “event” and a fundraiser for a local cause. Moving the finish line towards Laughton to where the Circuit of Laughton TT is being investigated.
- Press Secretary (PC) –
Press portal – the website to which Press Reports have to be submitted has changed again. The criteria have also changed, but not such that the format of the reports need change.
- Membership Secretary (GB absent) –
GB absent. Apologies sent. Reports 71 members in the week before the Committee Meeting, 7 Honorary Members, 3 second-claim. 8 female members, of whom 3 are honorary.
- Women’s Representative (GB absent) –
Nothing to report.
- Club Ride Coordinator (PC) –
Club Ride – Numbers are still healthy. Poor weather and lack of availability of Ride Leaders has meant few off-road rides have been offered, but nothing much can be done about this until next spring.
Any Other Business
Trips – Five signed up and booked accommodation for New Forest Sportive in June 2025. PC to push to Club Riders.
Tour de France – NE had noted that the TdF starts in northern France next July. Proposal is to make this a Club Trip riding and watching the tour between Thursday 3rd and Sunday 6th. BandB prices have risen, but would still only be £600 for 3 nights.
Spain – Preference is split between Calpe area in late February/early March of Mallorca in April/May. PC will sound out Club Riders.
Date of 2025 AGM Tuesday 14th January agreed upon. DS to book Kings Head, East Hoathly.
Date of next Committee Meeting of Tuesday 21st January (7pm at Alma Arms) agreed upon.