Last AGM

Minutes of Clitheroe Mountaineering Club AGM
20 November 2025 7.30 pm, held at Clitheroe Cricket Club

1. Apologies

Ellen Darby, Ann Connell, Dave Grosvenor, Jane Pyznuik, Alison & Ian Tapley, Ronnie Doctor, Catherine Mansfield, Kevin Hembury

2. Minutes of last meeting (21/11/2024)

The minutes had been previously circulated. These were approved (Prop. Jackie G, Sec. Michael H) and signed as a true record.

3. Matters Arising

None.

4. Constitution and Policies

There has been one update to the Safeguarding Policy to bring in line with the BMC Policy. Policies are available to read on the CMC website.

5. Chair’s Report

“There has been a full programme of walking and climbing throughout the year. The use of the two WhatsApp groups for walking and climbing has proved invaluable for making arrangements, giving details and making any adjustments to the planned programme.

In terms of walks, there seems to be a hardcore of regular walkers for the day meets. The summer evening walks proved particularly popular with a higher number of people regularly participating.

The climbers have been very busy throughout the year with indoor meets and outdoor meets when the weather made it possible. The group use the climbers WhatsApp to arrange climbing on a regular weekly basis.

There have been several successful weekend hut meets with the opportunity to stay for 3 nights instead of 2 and an extended meet at Hartington, where members booked their own accommodation which proved very popular. Hartington turned out to be an excellent location, providing opportunities for a wide variety of walks in the Derbyshire countryside, with the added bonus of some warm sunny weather.

The Keswick meet on the other hand, was a bit chilly to say the least for some members who had no heating or hot water in their rooms. It was still a good sociable weekend with another delicious Christmas meal organised and prepared by Jane and Dave plus contributions from others with the usual great team effort.

This year has been less hectic for the committee in terms of extra meetings now that the constitution and policies have been sorted. The main focus for the committee has been to look at ways of raising the profile of the club to attract new members through improving the website and using Facebook, Instagram and posters to advertise and promote the club activities. This has had some success with the addition of a few new members during the year. I would like to thank the committee for their hard work and commitment to promoting the continued success of the club, but also to thank everyone who volunteers to coordinate events and other members who contribute in any way they can. Clitheroe Mountaineering Club continues to be a thriving club offering great opportunities for both climbing and walking. But one of its great strengths is the friendships made and the sociable nature of the club”.

6. Treasurer’s Report

Frank Taylor distributed copies of the Club balance sheet as at 31/10/2025. Frank reported that the Club has had a good year and our balance as at end of the year is of £2,665. The main income is from subscriptions, and our main expenses are to BMC to cover insurance. The room collections taken at the cricket club are not covering the room hire cost. Room hire is now £45, up from £30 previously. Use of the shop has been very popular for payment of membership and hut meet fees. A rebate received from Keswick Ministries last year due to the problems with heating and hot water has helped to cover some of the costs of this year’s meet. In 2026, the Keswick meet will be 2 nights only due the full fee being charged for the 3rd night.

7. Membership Secretary’s Report

Gill Sharpe reported that we currently have 62. Throughout the year there were 14 prospective members, 5 of whom became full members.

BMC membership is now £30.74 (up by £1.41) CMC have decided to set our membership subs at £35 for 2026. Subs are due by 1/1/2026. Payment can be made through the shop.

8. Climbers’ Report

Linda Barraclough, climber’s representative, reported that 2025 had been one of the better years for climbers due to the good weather. For 2026, Linda would like to encourage more outdoor climbing meets. Preston and Oldham indoor walls have been popular. Thank you to all who have volunteered to co-ordinate climbs. Any climber can post on the WhatsApp group to inform others when and where they are climbing. Linda thanked Dave Dewhurst for his time on the committee as climbers’ rep.

9. Huts Meets Report

Godfrey Metcalf reported that this year the meets at Beddgelert, Little Langdale and Low House had been well attended and had not lost money. There had been a meet at Hartington, Derbyshire in May which was well attended. Members either camped or arranged their own accommodation. Godfrey is trying to make sure that future meets also do not make a loss. FRCC huts are now an option for future meets. The 2026 programme will hopefully be April – FRCC Salving House, Patterdale; May – Moffat (Members to arrange their own accommodation or campsite); June – Bracken Close, Wasdale; October – Glan Dena, Snowdonia; December – Keswick (2 nights)

10. Election of Officers

Most members of the committee are continuing in their posts except for Dave Dewhurst who is handing over to Linda as climbers’ representative. Tim Fane was elected onto the Committee (Prop DD, Sec LB)

All other members of the committee have agreed to continue in their roles and were elected en bloc (Prop LB, Dec SH).

11. Proposed Programme 2026

Humph had previously circulated a draft programme for 2026. Volunteers are still needed for the Thursday and Sunday walks particularly for the year January to June. Walk details and coordinators will be posted on the CMC Walks WhatsApp group. A volunteer was needed at coordinate the Moffat meet in May. Jackie Gallimore volunteered for this. Members to book their own accommodation or camping and to liaise with Jackie. Humph was thanked for his work in producing the programme and he reminded members that there will be a photo competition on 19th Dec 2025 entries again through the WhatsApp group.

12. Any Other Business

Alison Tapley is selling calendars produced by The Rucksack Club proceeds will go to support the Climbers against Cancer charity. These are priced at £10 and will be available to buy at the Keswick meet in December or directly from Alison.

Members were reminded about the Climbers Meal on 27th Nov at Dil Raj restaurant in Clitheroe. Meet at 7 p.m. in The New Inn. Everyone welcome.

The meeting closed at 8.10 pm.