Valley Striders

Annual General Meeting

31 October 2006

 

 

Bob opened the proceedings announcing the resignation of Club secretary, Paul Briscoe, after 17 years. Paul was thanked for his work for the club, and Geoff Webster was elected as Club Secretary.

 

Apologies: Ken & Kathy Kaiser (Madeira), Sara Dyer & Steve Webb (hosting Airienteers event), Steve O’Callaghan (working)

 

Attendance: approx 40 members were present.

 

Welcome: Coach George Black (and his pal Mike Evans) on a rare visit from his home in Scotland, & new members Keith & Sarah.

 

REPORTS

 

Club Captain In Steve O’s absence Bob reported notable successes for the club included Tracey’s marathon representation for Wales at the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne and for GB in the European Championships in Gothenberg. 10 other club members had won races or won Yorkshire Championships during the year.  The club won the vets trophy at the Bradford Millenium Way & Leeds Country Way Relays.

 

Club secretary Paul Briscoe re his resignation said he didn’t attend the club which was in fact run by Bob. He is the club contact for ABAC and may continue to do this. He wished Geoff good luck as new sec.

 

Road running & Cross Country No reports received.

 

Treasurer Danny Burnham reported the club is well solvent because of donations for the men’s shower. It was agreed that there would be no change in membership fees. Danny stood down after 14 years as treasurer and was thanked for his work and regular attendance on Tuesday evenings.

 

Fell running Steve Webb’s report was read out by Bob and I summarise (without Steve’s humour!): for the 1st time the club had a team at the British Fell Running Relay Championships held this year near Mytholmroyd: let’s get 2 teams together next year when it will be held in the Bowland area. We had two teams in the 2005 Calderdale Way Relay; names to Geoff please if you want to run in this year’s race on 10 December. A team took part in the Lyke Wake Race comprising Mick Wrench, Steve Webb, Simon Vallance, Ross Anderson and Sarah Dyer. Mick was joint winner of this race. Steve took part in the Saunders Mountain Marathon in July and would recommend it as an easier option before embarking on the Karrmor Mountain Marathon in which last weekend Laura and Micks Wrench & Loftus were taking part.  Madeleine Watson continues as the Fell Running Association statistician and has taken on a new role as the FRA Junior Co-ordinator.

 

Click for Fell Captain's Report

 

Fell Competition Sec: Geoff reported Simon Vallance is in the lead: 27 members have taken part in fell races so far this year. Five members took part in the Withins Skyline Fell Race, the most recent grand prix event, of whom two (Erica Hiorns and  Mark Hunter) were new to fell running and although this is a fairly difficult course they both enjoyed it. The fell race calendar is available for viewing every Tuesday at the club and Geoff would encourage more members to have a go! Next event is the Burley Bridge Hike, details on VS website, entry possible on the day.

 

Vets Sylvia reported that few club members had taken part in these races though those who had (Bob Wilkes, Stuart Rawnsley & Geoff and Sylvia) had enjoyed them and recommended them as good training, usually about 5 miles, mixed terrain, traffic free and reasonably local, the summer races often taking place in the evening, food provided and friendly.

 

Grand Prix Paul White reported that 102 members had taken part in at least 1 race and 14 members in 8 races. Paul asked for ideas for next year – to be discussed on 21 November.

 

Election of Club officials

 

Club Captain: Steve O’Callaghan

Club Sec: Geoff Webster

Joint road & cross country captains: Carole Schofield, Laura Clark, Drew Taylor, Paul Hunter. (these positions to be reviewed at a committee meeting on 21 November in case they wish to re consider!)

Treasurer: Paul White

Fell Captain: Steve Webb

Fell Competition Sec: Geoff

Vets Captains: Sylvia & Geoff

Coaches: Max & George Black (both available for advice via email)

Grand Prix organisers: Paul White & Alan Hutchinson

‘Valley Striders Review’ editor: Eric Green

Web Site Administrator: Bob Jackson

 

Reports on races organised by Valley Striders during the year

 

More than £5000 in total was raised for Lineham Farm from our races, the Meanwood Valley Trail Race held in April and the Harewood Trail Race held in October. Bob gave special thanks to the back-room team of Eric and Sam who had handled the entries and Erica for her work with labelling.

 

Showers

 

It was agreed the money remaining in the shower fund should be used for refurbishing the women’s showers. The fund will be closed on 21 November 2006.

 

Sports Direct Cross Country League

 

Participation in the league was discussed. It comprises 5 races, all local, men & women run together, all mixed terrain and about 10k. The league commences after the West Yorkshire League has finished. Concerns were raised re a possible reduction in the number of club members entering the WYCCs if we were to participate in both leagues. A vote was held: 13 for taking part, 1 against, 18 abstentions (some members had left by now!). Club sec to contact Colin Morath re affiliation.

 

Yorkshire Vets Race

 

New venues have been requested and as we have never held a race for the Yorks Vets the possibility of offering to put on a summer race on a Tuesday evening round Eccup reservoir was discussed. Sec to contact Yorkshire Vets to offer our services for the coming season or the season after as required.

 

Newsletters

 

There have been no newsletters this year. Bob produced the first ‘Valley Striders Review’ in Oct 06 and Eric Green has agreed to produce this annually in future. Bob no longer has the time to continue producing a quarterly magazine and there were no volunteers to take this over. Information will be available on the website. Of concern were the members who don’t have access to the internet, fewer race reports since the demise of the paper newsletter, the environmental waste which would result if the paper newsletter were to return.

 

UK Athletics

 

It’s rumoured that all officials at races will need to hold relevant qualifications in order to get insurance cover. As no official information had been received the matter is to be discussed at meeting on 14 November. Committee members to obtain information meanwhile.

 

Pie and Peas at the club

 

Tony agreed to provide pie and peas on the first Tuesday of each month.

 

Club Vests

 

It appears that the original Club vest conforms to U K Athletics rules.  To be verified with North of England AA.

 

AOB

 

  1. Shower proof running tops with Valley Strider logo: to look into the possibility of finding a supplier. Idea proposed by Paul Hunter.
  2. BHF Pulse race in Roundhay Park in June 07: at Mick Tinker’s request it was agreed that the club would support this again; members were asked to volunteer to help on the day.
  3. Notice board at the club: sec to look into getting one.
  4. Abbey Dash on 26 Nov 06. Members are needed to marshal. Names to Colin Morath of Abbey Runners, or to Geoff.
  5. Max has some good Australian female marathon runners living with him who have joined Valley Striders. Could Valley Striders win a team medal in the London Marathon next year?