Chairman’s Annual Report

We kicked off the current year thinking it would be a normal programme of walks and social events.  We had not found a Social Secretary so at our first meeting we agreed that each committee member would take responsibility for an individual event and draft in help from other Group members where possible.  We were lucky that Christine Cummins, the retiring Social Secretary, agreed to continue managing the Festive Lunch at the Arun View and a successful and enjoyable day was had by those who attended – thank you, Chris.  More social functions were considered and allocated to volunteers including skittles, coach trips and the walking week/weekend.

Kate Melville-Brown had taken on the Walks Organiser role and early in the New Year had put together a varied and interesting programme from end of March until the end of September with help of course from her merry band of walk leaders – thank you all.  However, we never were able to start this programme as in early March we were hit by Covid-19 lockdown.  Instantly all activities, both walking and social, were banned overnight and it was left for members to decide for themselves how and where they took their exercise.

Gradually, and thankfully after a period of excellent weather which I am convinced helped many get through lockdown, the situation eased and individual footpath activities were able to start again and Group led walks with up to 6 people were allowed.  We took the decision at that stage that we would not re-start the original programme as the low numbers allowed would put too much pressure on leaders to manage.  We were then allowed group walks with up to 30 walkers at which stage we asked leaders to put walks into a rolling programme and allowed them to decide the numbers limit between 10 and 30 walkers.  We are currently still allowed to operate under these rules and plan to continue with the booking system etc. until either we are stopped from walking again or the restrictions are lifted completely.  My thanks to those making the system operate and to all of you for your continued acceptance of the situation.

Regrettably we currently still cannot run any social events but rest assured we will re-instate them as soon as we are allowed.

It certainly has not been the year I had expected but I am just glad to report that to date and to the best of my knowledge no members have succumbed to the virus and I hope and pray that this will continue to be the case.

With due notice Nigel Paris informed us that he had decided to stand down as treasurer and webmaster after 3 years in post and I would take this chance to thank him for all his efforts.  At time of writing we have hopes that replacements will be found for both roles but if you feel you can find the time to help the Group by joining the committee please let me know.  I would also take this chance to thank the rest of the committee for all their hard work during this difficult year.  Those of you who attended the 2019 AGM may remember that I put myself forward for the post of Chairman with some reluctance and with the caveat that I would serve for a maximum of 2 years - that is still my intention and I shall be renewing my search for a successor as soon as this year’s AGM is over.

Mike Charman