AGM Minutes 2025

Minutes of Hike Norfolk Ramblers AGM held at Old Catton Village Hall on Sunday 16th November 2025

Prepared by Mac Craigmyle. Edits by Adrian Johnson

Meeting declared open by current Chair, Adrian Johnson, at approximately 12:30pm.

Present:
Rambler Members: Mac Craigmyle, Susannah Smart, Jonathan Smith, Adrian Johnson, Vicky Jepson, Bronwen Mitchell, Simon Grieves, Edward Wallis, Gareth Lamb, Jo O’Donoghue, Chris Cliffe, Zoe Smith, George McDougall.
Guests: Shlona Cruse and Stephen Mayor.

  1. Welcome and Introductions from Chair, Adrian Johnson.
  2. Apologies – Ian Hardicker, Clare Hill, Rachel Adams, Jeremy Bolam
  3. Minutes from Last Year. Proposed by Adrian Johnson, Seconded by Mac Craigmyle. Approved unanimously by show of hands.
  4. Chairman’s Report by Adrian Johnson

Hike Norfolk Ramblers continues to thrive—clearly people love a good walk. Our online community is stronger than ever, with over 3,700 members on Facebook and 4,081 on Meetup.

Our walks programme has been packed, offering at least one walk nearly every week—proof that we don’t just talk the talk; we genuinely walk the walk.

Thanks to the fantastic efforts of Rachel Adams and Keeley Sargeant, we ventured to the Peak District too, not once, but twice. We also enjoyed 16 brilliant social events ranging from theatre and cinema trips to meals out, pub nights, tubing, wine tasting, live music, a wherry boat trip, a Summer Party and the legendary Christmas Meal. My sincere thanks to everyone involved in organising these, especially Clare Hill and Jo O’Donoghue.

We also led the way in the Ramblers’ 90th anniversary celebrations, working closely with Norwich Ramblers and involving all nine groups in the area. There’s nothing like a big birthday to bring people together—especially when there’s free food.

Our collaboration with Norwich Ramblers continued with a joint CPR training session and a Walk Leaders’ Open Day, both well attended and both successfully producing new walk leaders for our groups. It was a real pleasure working with Nigel Whitlam, Chair of Norwich Ramblers, and I want to thank him sincerely for his support and hard work.

This year we also introduced a new standardised template for walk events, including walk grades and other useful details. This important change has made it much easier for people to pick walks that suit them—whether they want a gentle stroll or something more challenging.

On that note, I want to thank our Walk Leaders’ Co-ordinator, Simon Grieves, and all our walk leaders, and to warmly welcome our new leaders: Jeremy Bolam, Gordon Crook, Keeley Sargeant, Chris Cliffe, and Zoe Smith. Without our walk leaders, we simply wouldn’t exist. Their hard work, from finding beautiful and interesting routes, to recceing them, leading us, and keeping everyone safe, is deeply appreciated.

Finally, I’d like to express a heartfelt thank-you to the outgoing committee for their dedication. I began this role last year with no experience and only the vaguest idea of what I was stepping into, but I’ve thoroughly enjoyed it. I’ve been lucky to work with such a supportive and committed group of people.

If re-elected, I’ll be excited to serve Hike Norfolk for another year and to work with the new committee. Together, my hope is that we will keep the group growing, keep the walks inspiring, and keep the humour flowing—even when it rains sideways.

  • 5. Walk Coordinator’s Report by Simon Grieves

A big thank you to all the walk leaders that have recced and led walks this year.

The following have been noted over the past year.

1. This year has been another good year for led walks which have been attended by many existing and new walkers.

2. As a group we have only failed to lead a walk on 5 weekends this year which is less than last year.

We managed to organise 2 trips away this year to the Peak District and hope that we can plan some trips for next year.

3. 13 walk leaders have led walks this year and we appreciate everyone for their commitment. This year we have been fortunate to recruit some new walk leaders, but we are still looking for more to help to organise walks.

We can help any prospective leaders with support in completing the online training made available by the Ramblers.

4. We will continue to ensure that a meetup event is created so walkers can see our schedule well in advance, recommended about 4 weeks beforehand if possible.

To finish I would like to put myself forward to continue in my role as walks coordinator for another year.

Thank you.

Discussion and Questions following Simon’s Report

Question from Jo O’Donoghue – do we track new members and retention? Rachel normally does this but can’t be here today. Some people struggle on long walks. Try to ensure there is an appropriate mix of walks for all abilities. It is difficult to be all things to all people. Also signpost to other groups that might be more appropriate – both hard and easy. Opened up to a discussion amongst the group on the healthy group dynamics and interactions with other Ramblers Groups.

  • 6. Social Events Co-Ordinator and Social Media Officer Report by Clare Hill (read by Adrian Johnson on her behalf)

Hike Norfolk’s Facebook page continues to be its most active and valuable online community space. With around 3.7k members—only a small proportion of whom are also Ramblers members—it remains the group’s primary channel for sharing updates, connecting with new walkers, and promoting upcoming activities. The page consistently attracts fresh engagement, particularly from new members who join throughout the year and quickly get involved in the conversation.

Although the Instagram page offered an attractive visual showcase, its follower numbers never reached the same level of impact as Facebook. As a result, and to keep communication channels streamlined, the Instagram account has now been dropped. This allows the group to focus its energy where the audience is strongest and where interaction naturally occurs.

On Facebook, most walk leaders are confidently posting and promoting their own walks, helping keep the page lively and informative. A small, responsive admin team is also on hand to answer questions and provide guidance when needed. While a dedicated core of members regularly share photos from their walks, it would be lovely to see even more people contribute their pictures—though this is by no means essential to the smooth running of the page. The main priority remains maintaining a welcoming, well-informed space for everyone interested in walking with Hike Norfolk.

On a personal note, I would like to say it has been a pleasure in being the social media officer for the past three or four years… well, I think it’s about that long! But it is time to pass the torch and for someone new to try their hand at taking on this role in whichever way they feel works best for the group. It is a lovely engaging platform for everyone to enjoy their memories and photographs of all the wonderful walks that we as a team provide. Whoever takes the role on, I will be happy to help them if they need any guidance going forward.

Discussion and Questions following Clare’s Report

Discussion on merits of FB and Meetup for posting walk schedule. Meetup have doubled their fees over the last two years. Don’t need to be a paid-up member of Meetup to use the site. No longer obvious from the site. However, Meetup is still a very valuable tool to the group. Will be discussed again at the next committee meeting.

Group had a discussion on better ways of using the various tools. How members found HNR – four through FB, Zero through Instagram, seven through Meetup, two through other means like word of mouth.

Brief discussion around walk numbers and the need to occasionally limit numbers.

  • 7. Membership Secretary’s Report by Rachel Adams (Read by Adrian Johnson on her behalf)

We have 4 new members since August, and our total number of members is 154.

The problem with accurate membership is that we don’t have a geographical area, so new members are only included in our data if they specifically choose Hike Norfolk. Or if the membership secretary is able to do walks and check with people on the walk manually.

  • 8. Treasurer’s Report by George McDougall

Financially, this year was very positive for Hike Norfolk. Our total income was £399, while our expenditure was low at £114, leaving us with a surplus of £285 for the year.

We had four income items, with the largest being our annual funding from the Ramblers of £234, followed by the refund of last year’s AGM room hire deposit of £100. We also received £45 from Norwich Ramblers for their 50% share of our costs for the Ramblers 90th birthday event and finally a £20 member rebate from RWH Travel.

On the expenses side, the main item was £90 for the Ramblers 90th event, with some small expenditure of £24 for pens, batteries and a card.

As a result of the above, our bank balance improved from £530 at the start of the year to £815 at the end of this September.

Taking a quick look into the future, we do anticipate a reversal, with expenditure higher than income, due to ‘no AGM deposit refund’ plus costs for today’s AGM and a significant expenditure for the Walk Leaders Open day last month.

  • 9. Stepping down of 2024/2025 Committee

Thanks to committee members stepping down, Ian Hardicker, Clare Hill, and Rachel Adams.Adrian Johnson expressed his immense thanks to all their service to the group for many years on behalf of all members.

  • 10. Election of 2025/2026 Committee

    The following people put their names forward for their respective positions and were duly elected:

    • Chairman – Adrian Johnson. Proposed by George McDougall. Seconded by Simon Grieves. Approved by show of hands.
    • Treasurer – George McDougall. Proposed by Adrian Johnson, Seconded by Vicky Jepson. Approved by show of hands.
    • Secretary – Mac Craigmyle. Proposed by George McDougall, Seconded by Susanna Smart. Approved by show of hands.
    • Membership Secretary – Jeremy Bolam. Proposed by Jo O’Donoghue, Seconded by Jonathan Smith. Approved by show of hands.
    • Walks Co-Ordinator – Simon Grieves. Proposed by Adrian Johnson, Seconded by Chris Cliffe. Approved by show of hands.
    • Social Events Co-Ordinator – Jo O’Donoghue. Proposed by Simon Grieves, Seconded by Zoe Smith. Approved by show of hands.
    • Social Media Office – Bronwen Mitchell. Proposed by Simon Grieves, Seconded by Chris Cliffe. Approved by show of hands.
    • General Member 1 – Susanna Smart. Proposed by Jonathan Smith. Seconded by Simon Grieves. Approved by show of hands.
    • General Member 2 – Zoe Smith. Proposed by Chris Cliffe, Seconded by Susanna Smart. Approved by show of hands.

    • 11. Feedback and Q&A

    Aim is to have at least one walk every weekend. How far, what pace etc. is down to the Walk Leaders. Try and balance the walk calendar. Aim for a minimum of at least one walk on offer every weekend where possible. If proposing 2 walks on a given weekend then approach the other walk leader first on WhatsApp as a matter of courtesy to see if ok. Evening walks in the summer where possible. Occasional breakfast walks.

    Jo reminded the group that anyone can put on a social event. Open to any suggestions for help or ideas.

    Minutes of AGM will be published on the HN Website shortly after the AGM.

    • 12. AOB – none

    Meeting was declared closed by Chair, Adrian Johnson, at approximately 1:30pm.