The AGM took place on 8 March 2024 at Barton Laws, Wigton.

Present

Committee

Michelle Barron, Chair  (Run Leader)

Elaine Stockdale, Members Secretary

Linda Brown Treasurer

Claire Lloyd, Secretary (Run leader)

Anthony Cape Events Coordinator (Run leader)

Welfare Officer, Sarah Grundy

 

Run Leaders

 

Max Robertson

Darren Haney

James Gorman

Rosie Graves

 

Members

Helen Young

Jacquie Molyneux 

Helen Baxter

Chris Baxter

Rachel Hewson

Kevin Kerr

Becky Kirkbride

Nicky Hewitson

Helen Edmundson

Chris Baxter

Sandra Nordon

Katy Ashworth

Suzanne Martin

Russell Pattinson

Vicky Ravell

Apologies

Ian Harrison

 

Chair

Michelle welcomed everyone to the meeting and noted apologies.

Michelle gave a review of the activities of the club over the last 12 months.

 

Run leaders.

Last year Lee Todhunter and Kath Batty stood down as run leaders.

WRR now have 3 additional run leaders, Max Robertson, Rosie Graves and James Gorman. The club is offering opportunities for members to become a run leader, anyone interested can discuss with Michelle. There is an opportunity for a run leader to become a coach, this is a more intensive course and will be funded from club funds.

Club 10 K run

WRR succesfully organised 10 K in October 2023,the race had capacity for 150 entrants and was sold out, Linda Brown was race director the race, the chosen charity was MND  £4,361.92 was raised through race entries and donations. The race was sponsored by Futamura and Innovia, Raymond Milburn donated £1,000 from a charity night event. There was excellent feedback from the race, only minor issues regarding signage occurred that was easily rectified.

Club 10 K run 2024.

The 10 K this year will take place on the 20th of October, WRR will approach Innovia, the chosen charity is Crohn’s disease and Colitis. A question was posed about increasing capacity for entrants, we may be able to increase to 200 entrants, this will be considered and discussed in future race planning meetings .

Plans for the year.

Michelle described the year planner  Jan – April - Wigton based runs due to lighting, April -Summer allows for longer runs out of Wigton. Thursday sessions continue to be technical sessions and there will be out of Wigton, club on tour sessions offered in summer months.

Multi skills

Ben Hale is providing 3 outdoor multi -skills sessions. March April on a Wednesday night 6.30 pm at the Rugby club Astro turf. These sessions are paid for from club funds.

Track Sessions

Darren is planning track sessions at the running track at the Sheepmount, Carlisle on a Friday night 7-8pm or Saturday 10-11 am, the hire of the Sheepmount to be paid from Club funds.

 

Fundraising for the club

WRR was awarded £2,330.21 from the Coop Local Community Fund, this funding will be used to train run leaders, provide equipment and provide opportunity for more people in the community to join and benefit from club activities, a couch to 5 K will be offered in April 2024

Issues for futures planning

 

Michelle stated that future start time of runs needs to be discussed and decided upon, Michelle proposed a voting system.

September to Feb,the majority voted for the start time of sessions to be 6.30pm

March -April the majority voted for Tuesday 6.30pm, Thursday alternative 6.30 pm/7pm start.

April -May The majority voted that Tuesday session will be start at 6.30pm and Thursdays will be alternative 7pm/6.30 pm start time.

3 run leaders state they can offer extra 7 pm start sessions in addition to the 6.30pm start times, therefore there may be 2 sessions offered on a Thursday if availability allows, other run leaders stated that they could offer 6.30 pm sessions when 7 pm planned to offer choice of run times.

Couch to 5 K

Wigton Road Runners couch to 5km will commence in April 2024 for 9 weeks, Michelle and Claire to lead. Linda, Jaquie and Sandra have offered to help with the sessions.

Treasurers Report (See attached report)

Linda outlined the Treasurer’s Report and explained club expenditure over the last year. This included run leader courses, run equipment and England athletics annual fee.

Linda stated income was received from membership fees, competitive, non-competitive, and funding received from co-op.

The race income and expenditure were explained, all profits were donated to the MND charity.

Linda stated that the club’s closing balance is £4,300.

 

Membership Secretary

Elaine confirmed that as of today (31 March 2024) Wigton Road Runners has:

• 41 Competitive Members
• 58 Non-Competitive Members
• 6 second claim members

Elaine explained the EA are increasing their fees.

A member asked what a second claim member was, this was explained that members can join more than one club, they chose a primary club and can be second claim members to additional clubs, they must wear the club kit of their primary club when attending races.

As from April 2024, England Athletics (EA)are increasing the membership by £2, therefore the fees for competitive members will be to be £32 per annum and non-competitive £22 per annum.

 

Member questions

A member suggested social/ running related events such as WRR attending a park run or athletics, the event’s organiser stated that there had been suggestions for social nights out but little interest, WRR does have an annual Christmas party and a group of WRR did attend the running show  a member asked where information could be found on these events, the events were advertised on Facebook and the what’s app group however future events will also be advertised on the WRR website for those not on social media.

There was a discussion about being respectful to one another in person and on social media, Michelle stated that members should not be made to feel uncomfortable and that we are all adults part of a running social club where the code of conduct should be implemented. Sarah is the welfare officer and if any member feels they are experiencing abusive or oppressive behaviour they can discuss with Sarah. A member asked about witnessing oppressive behaviour towards another club member, Michelle advised this should also be raised  on their behalf.

Action -Michelle will distribute the EA and clubs code of conduct.

 

Appointment of Committee Members

It was noted that Ian Harrison has stood down as 2nd welfare officer, Ian’s contribution to the club were acknowledged.

Michelle proposed an amendment to the constitution that the chair of Wigton Road runners will be for a fixed term of up to 3 years, this proposal was agreed by all.

Chair- Michelle Barron was appointed, proposed by Claire Loyd seconded by

Jacquie Molyneux 

Secretary Claire Lloyd was appointed, proposed by Michelle Baron seconded by Kevin Kerr.

Members Secretary – Elaine Stockdale was appointed, proposed by Michelle Barron, seconded by Darren Haney

 

Treasurer – Linda Brown was appointed, Michelle Baron proposed, Seconded by Max Robertson.

Welfare Officer- Sarah Grundy was appointed proposed by Claire Lloyd, seconded by Rachel Hewson

Event’s Organiser – Anthony Cape was appointed, proposed by Claire Lloyd seconded Darren Haney

 

Awards

Certificates were awarded under categories below:

Most improved runners – Rebecca Magnay (female) Max Robertson (male)

Runners’ runner of the year – Nicky Hewitson

Unsung heroes

Sandra Nordon, Linda Brown and Steven Brown for the tremendous efforts in organising and managing the club 10 K.

Michelle was thanked for her hard work over the last year.

 

AGM Concluded 7.53pm