Minutes of Committee Meeting held on 9 June 2026
Venue: Dorset PH, Lewes
Present: Darren Haynes (Chairman), Graham Faultless (Treasurer), Dan Street (Road Race Secretary), Neil Edwards (Time-Trial Secretary), Paget Cohen (Acting Secretary, Press Secretary and Club Rides Coordinator), Chris Hurcomb (Off-road Secretary).
Apologies for absence: Mugs Gohl (Women’s Representative), Richard Roberts (Social Secretary).
Minutes of last meeting: The minutes of the meeting held on 17 March 2026 were accepted.
Officers’ Reports
1. Chairman
The Committee welcomed Chris Hurcomb as the new Off-road Secretary.
DH reported that things are very positive at present, with new members, lots of organised rides and new cafés. All of the time-trials have gone ahead as planned, and the new points competition has generated interest.
CH noted the value of the Rolling News email in keeping the membership informed and engaged.
The Committee noted the disappointment around the cancellation of the Crits, while recognising that falling entries had been a growing concern for several years.
2. Secretary
PC took the minutes.
There was nothing further to report. The Secretary position remains vacant. PC is happy to continue taking minutes in the short term, but would prefer the role to be filled by an additional Committee member who can contribute fully to the running of the Club.
It is hoped that a permanent post-holder will be found by at least the January Annual General Meeting. The role mainly involves taking minutes of meetings.
3. Membership and Marketing Secretary
Membership
NE reported that membership is up to 96, from 77 at the date of the last meeting. Of these, 8 are honorary members, 4 are second claim, 4 are half-year members, and 80 are annual members. The Club has 14 women members, of whom 3 are honorary.
The off-road rides have proved an effective way of attracting new members, particularly as guests are asked to join the Club if they wish to ride with the group for a second time. The £20 annual membership fee appears to represent good value when compared with the one-off cost of many sportives. It was also noted that the Forge Rides have brought the Club a lot of new members.
The Rolling News email has 127 subscribers, as subscriptions are extended to people who take part in Club events, such as time-trials. This helps keep non-members engaged with Club activity and may encourage future membership. The email has an average open rate of 78% and an average click-through rate of 19%, both of which are good.
Website
The website had 771 active users in the last 28 days. Growth was largely due to the promotion of the Crit. The most popular page in terms of visits is Rides and Races, even after discounting the promotion.
The Club spent £75 on an Instagram campaign to promote the Crit. The promoted post received 20,000 views, which led to 295 website visits, 70 clicks to the British Cycling website and 12 entries, doubling the number received before the campaign began. Although this was not enough for the event to go ahead, it was agreed that the campaign was nevertheless a good investment. The Committee agreed that promoted posts should continue to be used for significant races and events when appropriate.
NE would like more help with Instagram promotion. Ryan Machin has agreed to take more photos and provide some promotion, but NE suggested that other members could also help with this.
Content Creation
CH noted that MG’s recent video, which talked directly to prospective women members, was very well received. The Committee agreed that the Club should do more of this type of content.
NE suggested that the Club could video the chain gang and Forge Ride for use as promotional, or possibly training, material. The Committee discussed purchasing a GoPro-style camera with various attachments. A quick online search indicated that a suitable camera could be purchased for around £300. A total budget of £400 was agreed, including attachments. CH will research options.
Strava
CH suggested that the Club could make more use of Strava as a promotional tool. He is aware from his own experience, and from talking to others, that the Club’s Strava group being open by invitation only may be putting some people off. NE said that he had joined Eastbourne Rovers’ Strava Club and promoted some Club events on their feed. He had received no negative response, and several Rovers had participated in the events.
The Committee agreed to make the Lewes Wanderers Strava Club open to anyone who wishes to join. PC will make CH an admin so that he can compose posts and hopefully attract new members.
4. Treasurer
GF reported that the Club’s bank account has fluctuated around the £7,000 mark for the past three months. A lot of income was from entries to the Crit that will now have to be refunded, while there were also some costs that the Club will not get back.
GF pointed out that membership fees go to the Club’s PayPal account and then have to be transferred to the bank account. NE added that the same applies when riders enter Club time-trials via the British Cycling website.
5. Women’s Representative
MG reported by phone that she is emailing women members to find out what the Club can offer to encourage them to become more involved.
Two members had messaged back to say they felt the social rides would be too fast for them to even try. On a recent Forge Ride, on which there were several women riders, it was noted that the large group splintered and several riders became detached, perhaps due to a lack of experience at group riding.
MG is planning a shorter and slightly slower women’s social ride to teach group riding and improve confidence. Men will also be welcome. The aim is to help riders build confidence so they feel able to join the regular social rides. GF recommended that this ride should start in Uckfield and go via The Forge to make it as open as possible for all.
CH thanked MG for her part in leading the off-road rides and suggested that the Club could also offer an introductory off-road ride of no more than an hour one evening. MG agreed that this was a great idea.
CH also suggested using a Google Form to canvass members as to what they want. DH has one that was used a few years ago that could be used as a starting point. It was agreed that the Club should plan a members’ survey for later in the year.
6. Time-Trial Secretary
NE reported that things are going well so far, with events being well attended. This included 22 riders for the Circuit of Laughton.
NE recommended reducing the TT Secretary’s workload by appointing someone else to coordinate signage and marshalling for each event. This is particularly necessary when the Evening 10 series is running. DS and PC agreed to provide support in the meantime.
Next Monday, 15 June, will be the Women’s 10-mile TT. Men will be permitted to ride, but women will be given priority and start sufficiently ahead of the men so that they race separately. If the event is successful, it can become a fixture in the 10 series in future years.
DS suggested using the Kings Head public house in East Hoathly as the HQ when the Club switches to the G10/87 course, and offering volunteers a drink. DS agreed to clear this with the pub.
CH suggested that the Club could introduce some sort of volunteers’ “loyalty card”.
NE added that he is considering arranging a post-time-trial breakfast at the Five Bells after the Circuit of Chailey in September.
7. Road Race Secretary
DS reported that if the Crits are to have any future, having been cancelled due to lack of entries this year, there are five options on the table:
- Affiliate with BMRC and become a Masters race.
- Affiliate with Surrey League.
- Return to Cat 3 and 4.
- Move the race to a weekend.
- Ask local clubs to pay up front for a team allocation.
DS recommended a shared-task approach to race organisation in the future, if the event was to go ahead. He accepted that marketing could have started earlier and that more could have been done to promote it.
CH noted that the Destination Bike gravel race at Pippingford has been heavily marketed for weeks and still has relatively few entrants, suggesting that racers are committing as late as possible, if at all. PC noted that the Club has considered all five options before and that there is no evidence any of them will work. Indeed, the Crits were previously Cat 3 and 4 only and did not attract enough racers.
CH expressed disappointment that newer members do not appear to be interested in racing and suggested canvassing members on the types of racing they would like to do.
DS reported that the Club received an offer of sponsorship after the event was cancelled, and an email from the Surrey League offering support. He intends to have meetings with the Surrey League and BMRC, plus John Powell, to see what they propose, and will report back.
8. Press Secretary
PC had little to report. He has managed to get some photos from this year’s TTs, and coverage in the Sussex Express is relatively assured.
CH mentioned that The Lewesian is always on the lookout for content and suggested that the Club invite them along to a Committee meeting so they could see the work behind the scenes at a cycle club. Alternatively, the Club could invite them along to a café stop or ride, or arrange an interview with a few members.
9. Club Ride Coordinator
PC reported that the Forge Saturday Social Rides, as an addition to the Sunday Socials, have been well enough attended to be worthwhile. There have been no complaints about starting some rides from Uckfield and then going via The Forge, so this will continue.
CH noted that some potential riders may still be put off by the Club having limited ride-start presence in Lewes itself. Forge Rides and off-road rides from Bake Out in Cliffe High Street have worked well, so it was agreed that these should be added into the Club’s starting points more frequently.
Numbers attending the social rides are good, although, unlike the Club’s other rides, they have not attracted many new riders.
The change in policy to “Club kit expected” has been successful in encouraging members to wear LWCC kit on rides.
10. Off-road Secretary
CH reported that end-of-summer off-road rides of 50km and 100km to Kingston are planned for Saturday 12 September. CH would also like a road ride on that day with Kingston as its destination, with riders, friends and family coming together afterwards for a social event with pizza and beer.
GPX routes will be provided so riders can be more self-sufficient on the off-road rides. CH intends to create a self-supported halfway checkpoint for the 100km ride for safety reasons, providing riders with the opportunity to cut their ride short if they need to. He hopes the event will give club members an enjoyable end-of-season experience, and notes it would be great to have as many club members, friends and family present after the rides as possible.
CH would like pre-event online sign-up to gauge numbers, and NE agreed to include a feedback form in Rolling News to establish interest.
PC said he would see what he could do about route planning and ride leaders for the road ride.
PC and NE both noted that they would be away on the weekend in question.
Concerning this ride, and all Club rides, CH is keen that everybody has emergency contacts set up on their phone so that, should somebody have a bad accident, someone else could contact their emergency contacts as well as emergency services. CH showed those present how to do this on their phones, and it was agreed that this was a good idea. The Club will circulate this to members via Rolling News, face-to-face and through social media channels.
11. Social Secretary
RR was absent. Nothing to report.
Any Other Business
Club Rules
NE has reviewed the Club Rules recently and is of the opinion that a lot of them need updating to remain relevant. There was insufficient time to discuss this further at the meeting, but NE will prepare a report ahead of the next Committee Meeting with recommendations to be taken forward to the next AGM.
End of Summer Event
This was already discussed under Off-road. CH has prepared a promotional poster incorporating all of the Club’s big summer events and will produce others for this event, probably after the tour of the Isle of Wight.
Chris Hough Memorial Off-road Hill Climb
Graham Jeffs emailed on behalf of Liz and Patrick Hough asking if the Club could arrange an off-road hill climb up Chris Hough’s favourite climb, Itford Hill. The suggestion is that this goes along the South Downs Way from just beyond Southease Youth Hostel to somewhere near the radio masts above Firle.
DS and NE had concerns that any timed “race” would need the landowner’s permission, possibly from the South Downs National Park, which could be refused even after a lot of bureaucracy. An alternative approach of running it using Strava, with riders given a time window to attempt efforts, was felt to dilute the communal nature of any tribute.
The Committee also noted some sensitivity around recognising one former member in this way when other Wanderers who had passed away in road accidents were not being similarly commemorated. However, it was acknowledged that the Hough family had approached the Club with this idea.
It was felt more appropriate that the Club designate a Club off-road ride that would go up Itford Hill and pause to remember Chris at the summit, with the road ride perhaps meeting them. PC will reply to Graham.
Club Segment Challenge
There was insufficient time to discuss this at the meeting. It will be discussed further via the Committee WhatsApp group and at the next Committee Meeting.
2027 Sportive
Stuart Kirkham asked, given how much he and Jolanta had enjoyed the recent New Forest Sportive and others before, if the Club could arrange a weekend away for a sportive, perhaps next May or June. The Committee welcomed the idea. It was decided that the Club would help promote the event if Stuart was happy to identify an appropriate sportive and generally take the lead on organisation.
Club Cap Design Competition
A redesign of the Club cap had been mentioned at a previous Committee Meeting, given that the current design is based on the previous kit design. DH felt that the current peak choice of green under, yellow over, with Lewes Wanderers CC, should remain. Members should be invited to submit designs for the main body of the cap, with the final choice put to a member vote.
NE said he was unenthusiastic, but would accept the majority view. The Committee agreed to go ahead, and DH will source a supplier for caps and produce an “entry form” for people to submit designs.
Volunteering
There was insufficient time to discuss this at length, but the proposal is to add a Volunteering WhatsApp group within the Club’s WhatsApp Community and encourage people to join it. The club can then more easily communicate what needs doing and how members can help. This will be discussed further via the Committee WhatsApp group.
Harveys Brewery Charity Ride
NE reported that he had not had any reply to his email to Harveys Brewery suggesting a joint initiative for a charity ride, as proposed at the last meeting. He intends to follow up, but said any resulting initiative would now be deferred to 2027.
Actions Agreed
| Action | Owner |
|---|---|
| Make CH an admin of the Lewes Wanderers Strava Club. | PC |
| Research GoPro-style camera options within the agreed £400 budget. | CH |
| Clear use of the Kings Head, East Hoathly as HQ for the G10/87 course. | DS |
| Prepare a report on the Club Rules for the next Committee Meeting. | NE |
| Reply to Graham Jeffs regarding the Chris Hough memorial proposal. | PC |
| Source a cap supplier and produce an entry form for the Club cap design competition. | DH |
| Follow up with Harveys Brewery regarding the proposed charity ride initiative. | NE |
Date of Next Meeting
The date of the next Committee Meeting was agreed as Tuesday 22 September, 5:30pm at the Dorset public house.