Stoke North Walking Group: 26 April, Midday

Stoke North walking group: 26 April, midday.

Sandyford Fire Station

Present: Peter Hall (Chair), Tom Pine (Secretary), Elise Butler (Network Lead), Steve Lewin, Helen Pemberton (Treasurer), Dave Taylor, Mary Taylor.

Apologies: Chris Dennison, Sue Winterbottom, Neil Dawson

Matters arising from the Minutes

None of practical consequence. Carol D has suggested that the Burslem walk should take in GrangePark, and this will be for the group to progress.

Committee Matters

PH had attended Hub meeting – current setup is fine until June, with the continuation of the overall scheme dependent on funding.
PH suggested spending on a gazebo as budgeted for, though TP raised concerns about durability.
EB reminded that Tunstall and Burslem walks will have a single meeting. There are two treasurers and two secretaries, with two signatures needed for cheques.

Treasurer’s Report

Telephone banking is available but only for checking balances.
There is £375.94 left in the Stoke North budget
EB confirmed that there is £155 left to decide on how to spend out of the Burslem bid.
With two further walks covered by the group, there is an extra £900 in the fund, with potential for £900 more if we can create two more walks

Network Lead Update

The Ramblers would like to change the OHQ, but it has been decided to continue with the old one for now.
EB’s role will change more towards supporting the Hub, with individual groups receiving help by request.

Special Events

Canal boat trip for 19 May discussed – plus possibility of a stall at the linked Wild About Westport event
Canals Festival at EtruriaIndustrialMuseum on 2-3 June – Stoke West covering but need more bodies
Burslem Park Grand Opening is approaching on 23 June.
All to ask around to see which walkers could man stalls for part of these events
All keen on the suggestion of an Olympic-themed walk with an inflatable baton, based on linking up existing routes between 11am and 3pm, possibly starting at Tunstall and finishing at Westport, on a weekday in July, stc.
PH and EB will meet about the route on Friday 27 April.

Promotional

Recap on discussion about water bottles and pens as promotional materials. All agreed on pens at £34.
Display hardware an option for displaying materials at GP surgeries, residents’ associations, TunstallPark café
Suggestion that boxes for leaflets could be useful – EB to phone doctors’ surgeries to see if they will take them
Plan to spend 50% of excess sum on marketing and 50% on events
EB has produced a promotional checklist, based on tasks being done through many walkers doing what they can.
EB has access to a volunteer who has studied e-Marketing and will ask her about getting involved in promoting the walks and writing press releases.
EB also recommended patient panel groups at GP surgeries as a good means of promotion.
EB also advised producing a list of events at which walks could be promoted
All happy to help store any materials in garages etc.

New routes

PH is planning a walk in Target Wood, plus possibly another from Sandyford – unsure as to whether this would encroach on Newcastle more than would be appropriate. EB felt that this shouldn’t really be a problem, as some walks would simply ‘run out of city.’
All agreed that it is fine to split / vary a route and even a starting point, but that walk leaders must be present at the advertised starting point every week.

AOB