Gloucester Rowing Club Committee Meeting Minutes

 

6 February 2006

 

 

Present: Mark Pollard (Chairman), Deirdre Squire, Caroline Joseph, Laurence Boakes, Phil Cheeseman, Clive Pendry, Gill Ragon, Helen Russell, Brian Nelson, Rupert Charley, Chris Widden (CLC), Ben Nelson, Paul Elliot and Dave Pederette

 

Apologies: Stephen Rose

 

Brockworth School – canoeing proposal

 

Ben Nelson and Paul Elliot briefed the committee about their proposal to run a canoeing club for children from Brockworth School from the boat club.  They proposed to use the club on some weekdays after school and possibly at 9am on Sunday mornings, but were happy to fit in around others using the club.

 

They ideally would like to store ten cheap, old training boats on their own trailer at the front of the club.  As the children progressed they might buy their own boats but they would probably be able to store these at home.  They would also like space to store buoyancy aids and paddles if possible.

 

They proposed setting up a scheme which would run in a similar way to Project Oarsome, and would also encourage the children to have a go at rowing.  They were keen to extend participation in sport to more children.

 

Both Ben and Paul are qualified instructors.  In terms of safety, they intended to canoe alongside the children, so would be able to help in the event of an accident.  They were happy to conform to club safety rules, and would probably add additional canoe-specific rules of their own.

 

They pointed out that they had access to land training facilities and a swimming pool at the school, and were keen to consider the possibility of using these for training for both canoeists and rowers.  They were also happy to pay for the use of club facilities

 

They planned to join BCU as a club so they would be licensed to use the waterways and would also insure their boats.

 

The committee agreed that the proposals sounded reasonable.  In particular, they noted the potential access to better training facilities for GRC members.

 

ACTION 06020601: Clive to look into safety practices for canoe clubs on the canoe union website.

 

Launch Costs

 

Chris Widden (CLC) explained why he felt that Gloucester should pay towards maintenance costs of the CLC launch.  He began by clarifying that the launch engine needed servicing approximately every 100 hours.  It was illogical that one section of the membership should pay for the launch which was used by the whole club. 

 

Mark Pollard made the point that CLC members did not participate in any club fundraising events, so in a way could be said to be subsidising CLC membership.  Chris Widden agreed that this was a fair point.

 

Chris believed that last year’s figures were distorted.  £700 was unlucky, not a regular occurrence.  It was agreed that CLC used the launch for roughly 80 hours/year, GRC used it for roughly 150 hours/year.  This meant that the launch needed approximately 2 services a year.

 

It was agreed that GRC would contribute half of the costs of the launch.

 

Chris also suggested keeping a 20 litre can of fuel for the launch in the boathouse for convenience.  The committee raised some concerns about this proposal, including the risk of spillage and carrying difficulties.  It was subsequently agreed that it would be better to have a spare can, so that members using the launch would only be required to make sure that there was always a spare can.  GRC would get a price for 2 new fuel cans and fittings.

 

ACTION 06020602: Phil to get prices/parts for launch fuel tanks/spares

 

Caroline Joseph additionally raised the point that she had not yet received subs from CLC.  Chris Widden informed that subs had been authorised but the finance office could be slow.  He also informed that payment could be set up by BACS.

 

Sponsorship – Dave Pederette

 

Dave Pedrette briefed the committee on his ideas for sponsoring GRC.  He explained that he was seconded onto Gloucester urban regeneration council.  He believed that the canal should be promoted as a centre of excellence for rowing.  He had started a pizza business in the area, and was interested in providing sponsorship to the club.  He was also interested in providing food on race days, and could provide good quality food at reasonable prices.  He also pointed out that he was tied into a coffee company (Zegafredo) – their colours were the same as GRC colours, so there could be sponsorship opportunities there.

 

The committee welcomed Dave’s ideas, though they pointed out that catering at races was normally an additional way of raising money for the club.  Dave was open to ideas and as an example suggested that he could instead provide a discount on food.  It was agreed that we could explore options for catering at Gloucester Head.

 

ACTION 06020603: Helen to discuss sponsorship with Russell (who has provided his ideas to the committee).

 

Captain’s Report

 

- The University club was progressing slowly.  There had been problems with attendance at some meetings, but progress was being made.

 

- At the Captain’s Meeting it was suggested that retired umpires should be used more frequently.

 

- British Waterways are now going to charge for every event.  Robin Leach was refusing to pay.  Mark Pollard believed this could make it borderline whether it was worth running some events at all.

 

- Kit.  Deirdre sought clarification of which kit members were supposed to buy.  Mark informed the committee that the juniors were going to continue to buy their old kit.  Caroline pointed out that the committee had already voted on this issue, and had decided on the new kit – they shouldn’t be able to back out now.  Gill Ragon felt that manufacturers should be consulted and prices investigated.

 

ACTION 06020604: Laurence to speak to kit manufacturers regarding prices, as soon as possible.

 

ACTION 06020605: Deirdre to find out from Debs how many members have bought the new kit.

 

- We still have a WAGS executive, though the Secretary has changed.  We are waiting to see what the ARA will do regarding chairmanship.

 

- Gate key.  Severn Rescue had had a call out and needed to use the club as a launch point.  They wanted to have a gate key for future emergencies.  The committee agreed to this.

 

Secretary’s Report

 

Mark read out Stephen’s brief (copy available on request).  Points arising from it as follows:

 

- Regatta.  Dates will clash with the World Championships.  It was agreed that this would not be a major problem.  Stephen had met with Nigel Edgeworth of the County Council, it is unlikely that we will be able to access the regatta site due to the bypass construction. Different venues for holding the regatta next year were briefly discussed.  Ross have offered their course on the Saturday, as event entries to Ross Regatta were down last year due to their being no event on the Saturday.  Mark Pollard stated that there would be nowhere to park if the regatta was held at Wycliffe.  Chris Widden thought that it might be worth holding the regatta near CLC boathouse – the sailing club area might be an option.

 

ACTION 06020606: Gill to discuss options with Ross.

 

- Head race.  BWA had lost our forms, replacements had been supplied and approval should be forthcoming soon.  There would also be an event fee of £200+, which might mean it was not worth holding the long distance head at all.

 

- Safety guidance from the waterways board was not as restrictive as expected.  Safety boat drivers must stay clear of moored boats, and slow down when passing them.  Rowers were allowed to proceed with caution through red lights.  Additionally, all rowing boats required a license.  Current situation is that only the maximum number boats out at any one time were licensed.

 

ACTION 06020607: Deirdre to query the licensing situation.

 

Treasurer’s Report

 

- Cheque had been received from Bath University.

 

- Roland Whitney.  Mark has sent photos to Janousek to find out if it is repairable.  It has been reported to the insurers, and is insured for £2000.

 

- Boat replacement.  The committee agreed that top priority was replacing the 4-.  Other priorities were the refurbishment of Au Pair, a new/second hand 2x for training and a new 1x.  The merits of different boat manufacturers were discussed.  Chris Widden offered the club the opportunity to try out CLC’s new 4- during the school holidays, in order to get a feel for Lola Aylings boats.  Laurence suggested getting a boat on loan from Lola to try it out.  Rupert Charley believed that Janousek were no longer necessarily the most robust club boat.  Gill wondered whether it would be worth looking into strengthening the single sculls – Caz believed that this would be a case of throwing good money after bad.  It was also mentioned that Au Pair’s riggers were bent, as it had not been set up correctly after its shoulders were repaired. 

 

ACTION 06020608: Caz to come up with figures re boat buying.

 

ACTION 06020609: Chris to ask Julian to look at Au Pair on Wednesday.

 

ACTION 06020610: Caz agreed that parts could be ordered (e.g. riggers) which were damaging boats.  Deirdre to order parts.

 

New Members

 

Gill has produced a list.

 

ACTION 06020611: Gill to send member list to Mark.

 

Safety

 

Clive has sent the required information to the ARA.  A new buoyancy ring is outside.  It should be put outside when the first person arrives and removed when the last person leaves.

 

ACTION 06020612: Mark to add the ring to the checksheet.

 

Mark asked whether the information on Gloucester Head could be put on the website.

 

ACTION 06020613: Laurence to send the pdf to Clive.

 

Phil Cheeseman was looking into getting a prop guard for the launch.  This would cost approximately £130.

 

ACTION 06020614: Phil to buy the prop guard as soon as possible.

 

Website

 

Martin believed that there should be 4 people to look after the website.  Clive was going to do safety and Stephen was going to do paperwork but more people were needed.

 

ACTION 06020615: Helen to talk to Martin re possibility of helping out with the website.

 

Any Other Business

 

Chris Widden liked the new website and was using it already.  The committee agreed and noted their appreciation for Martin’s work.

 

Deirdre informed the committee that Zoe had replaced Helen as Women’s Vice Captain.  Zoe would need a set of keys.

 

ACTION 06020616: Mark to get Janet’s old keys for Zoe.

 

The committee discussed use of the new bike rack.

 

ACTION 06020617: Clive to liaise with Phil re positioning and use of the bike rack.

 

Rupert expressed his concern regarding the new British Waterways charges, and wanted to know if anything was being done about it.  Chris believed that political lobbying might be needed, e.g. Gloucester Council.  Mark felt that we needed to get together with other clubs on this issue, possibly through WAGS.

 

ACTION 06020618: Rupert to take this forward – contacting WAGS was one option.

 

Laurence felt that the bar door was being left open unattended.  The shutter was also being left open, and he had also seen some people using kittys/tabs at the bar.  He also raised his concerns about the answerphone behind the bar.  He had found lots of messages on it and didn’t know if they had been dealt with.  Deirdre explained that the answerphone was checked regularly.  It was suggested that a whiteboard be used for recording new messages and noting who was dealing with them.

 

ACTION 06020619: Caz to bring own whiteboard in if possible.

 

Laurence also mentioned how upset he was by the little respect shown to club facilities by some members, e.g. untidiness in the bar area.

 

ACTION 06020620: Deirdre to arrange a spring clean day.

 

Issues from previous meetings (not discussed)

 

05101705 Gill to produce notice of duties and get a copy to every member. Ongoing

 

05101709 Gill to add a note on the rules for paying subscriptions to the notice that she is preparing for members.

 

05121207 Gill and Caz to develop a list of email addresses for Senior members.

 

05091206 Stephen to ask County Council about schedule of works to gauge likelihood of next year’s regatta being affected. Done. (See above)

05101711 ….. Stephen to seek compensation from the County Council. Closed No joy.

 

05091208 Stephen to seek to swap dates for the West of England. Done. Pengwern will host in 2006, Gloucester in 2007 then revert to old cycle so Gloucester again in 2011.

 

05101712, Stephen to write to ARA cc WAGS to affiliate the LD Head for 2006. (Mr Rose had completed the application form but now needs the signatures of WAGS Chairman and Safety Rep and Div Rep and they will require sight of the risk assessment and safety plan. Mrs Squire was progressing this, she had some of the signatures.)

 

 

Date of next Committee meeting: Monday 3rd April 2006 at 7.45pm.