MDC AGM Minutes 2024
Minutes of MDC Committee Meeting
November 7th 2024. Fino Lounge, Whitchurch, 7.45pm
Minutes prepared by Chris Farr – Secretary
1.In attendance
Derek Thornley, Martin Lucas, Kay Lucas, John Aggleton, Alan Stone, Sharon Joseph, Chris Joseph, Flora Davies, Duncan Innes, Chris Farr, Gary Davies, Ian Liddiatt, Caio Bowen, Simon Darke, Gethin Watkin Thomas, Geraint Jenkin, Sarah Cordeaux, Briony Latter, Darren Shaw, Donna Grant, Bryn Fogden, Susie Ventris-Field, Ian Macklin, Andy Stott, Richard Cronin, Mark Saunders, Alice Bedwell.
Apologies; Marcus Pinker, Norman Jones, Gareth Jones
- Minutes from last year’s AGM (2023)
It was agreed that last year’s meeting minutes were considered accurate and accepted.
- Matters arising
Discussed in remainder of meeting.
- Officers’ reports
- a) Secretary – Chris Farr
Chris asked that members read minutes! One committee meeting took place following AGM 2023. Chris willing to continue in role.
- b) Treasurer – Matt Whipple
Matt has now moved away (and got married!) so no longer able to continue in role. Ian Macklin has volunteered to take it on. Report – The credit balance is £1555 with no major payments due. The three main payments, Welsh Athletics, Website and Fell Relays are all in order.
- c) Membership Secretary – Richard Cronin
Report for 2024 AGM
Overall, membership has been trending downwards over the last couple of years but it is not yet a cause for concern. I still receive queries from prospective new members at the same rate as before.
The profile of membership remains consistent, with around 25% female to 75% male. However, this is only part of the story as it is my impression that female participation has increased this year.
| 2024/5 | 2023/4 | 2022/3 | |
| Total Members | 69 | 76 | 84 |
| Male | 52 | 58 | 63 |
| Female | 17 | 18 | 21 |
| Female as % | 25% | 24% | 25% |
| 1st claim WA | 18 | 21 | 19 |
| Average D.O.B. | 13/05/1975 | 13/08/1975 | 10/05/1975 |
| Average age | 49.5 | 48.2 | 47.5 |
Reminder: Membership year is 1 April to 31 March.
Also noted during meeting that Welsh Athletics are changing their fee structure which benefits us as a smaller club. Members will still pay £17.50 per annum.
- d) Club Captains
Donna Grant – female captain
Report
South Wales Winter Hill series
Overall – Katie Ironside 1st
Megan 7th
Donna 12th
Briony 18th
Sarah 20th
V40 Donna – 3rd
South Wales series (min 3 races to qualify)
Overall – Katie 2nd
Briony 41st
Claire – 47th
Donna 58th
Alice 64th
Participation
Chilled group has helped inclusion and has proven a great way in for less speedy runners – eg Susie, Hannah and Lucy. Well done Chris!
Matt O’Keefe – male captain
No update received.
- e) Health and Safety Officer – Alan Stone
Alan reminder everyone re kits to carry on training runs. Alan delivered some first aid training to some run leaders during the winter.
- f) Welfare Officers – Mark Saunders and Alice Bedwell
Nothing noteworthy to report.
- g) President – Martin Driscoll
Set in place amending constitution for Juniors
Made it so members bringing club into disrepute can be removed
Allowed the introduction of Life Membership to MDC (but they can also be kicked out)
Copyright of Hugh Aggleton (SPAM company trying it on)
Levels of SPAM MDC receives is high!
- Website and communications – Sarah C
Looking at Welsh language translation. Winter run schedule now on website, although there has since been an issue with website?
6 – Club constitution
As above – under 18s and introduction of Life Membership as discussed as last year’s AGM.
Club Constitution – MDC fell running club
- Election of Officers/Volunteer Roles
Ian Macklin taking over as Treasurer. All other Officers agreed to stay on.
- Tuesday night runs
Slow paced runs have worked well over the summer as scheduled and during winter ad-hoc dependant on minimum numbers.
Sustainable transport access continues to be promoted. Briony reported that there were 250 responses to consultation re WFRA Sustainability Guidance. WFRA climate change and environment guidance.docx
Briony had article published in fellrunner magazine re sustainability in fell running. Briony also wanted to highlight a report she led on re sport and climate change recently published and designed to help people working in sporting organisations understand key areas that can help or hider climate engagement and action;
What’s stopping us? Applying psychology to accelerate climate action in sport
Mari Lwyd hosting and route – 17th December. Update – Briony and Ben to host and Briony to arrange route.
Run co-ordination – Marcus looking to move to Scotland in near future, means no Tuesday night run coordinator!
Thanks to all volunteers involved with Tuesday night runs.
- Events/Grand days out
Winter Transfan
Darren is organising on 21st Dec (note clash with Skirrid). There is a Whatsapp group and participants will be screened to ensure can take part safely.
2025 options
Preseli Beast always a good day out in May.
Fell relays 2025 in Meirionnydd (Dolgellau) – weekend of Oct 17th – 19th. This year’s relays were restricted in numbers so we need to consider this. Captains and Martin will communicate information once available. Definitely female, male and possibly vet teams. Need to book accommodation as soon as able.
Action for all – put date in diaries
10.Fell races
New – Cats Back – good MDC turnout.
MDC Race Directors -The club and all its members would like to thank Alan Stone for being the Race Director for Sugar Loaf who has stood down this year.
Thanks also to Gareth Jones for Pen Tir Drop, Simon Darke for Cribyn and Gary Davies for Craig Yr Allt for organising these races on the clubs behalf.
Discussion regarding online criticism last few months – conclusion is to exhibit caution as don’t know what is going on behind the screen. Gary and Alan also reported there are substantial unseen costs to races – eg landowners, catering, gifts for marshals etc. Brief discussion about possibility of open and closed FB pages – currently felt not needed but can come back to this.
General fell race discussion – around some fell races now providing early starts to increase participation. Also consideration of wellbeing of marshals especially in poor weather and long races.
- MDC kids’ section
Unfortunately, Chris F reported that those potential juniors previously expressing an interest are now busy with other activities. So this area of development currently on hold.
- Any other business?
Briony suggested that we don’t post addresses on open Facebook page.