Minutes from Exeter Wheelers Committee Meeting
Date: 9th December 2024, 7.30 p.m.
Venue: First Floor, Cuckoo Tap Room, Paris Street, Exeter, EX1 2JB
Present: Ian Hennessey (IH), Andy Webb (AW), Pete Bishop (PB), Rob Masterson (RM) Jon Hare (JH), James Maddison (JM), Finlay Webb (FW) and Mike Rose (MR)
- Apologies rec’d:
Greg Rorke, Nik Rorke, James Atkinson, Diogo Pacheco, Didier Lebatteux. Nick Helsing, Sandy Storrie - Approval of Previous Minutes:
Minutes were approved - 3. Matters arising from Previous Minutes:
Actions outstanding from the previous minutes –
JH to arrange purchase of 3 further empty hosepipe reels for Escot CX
PB to compose communication with SWCX – see under ‘British Cycling’ in these minutes.
JH to research and report back on the possibility of EWCC running an off-road sportive
of some kind.
AW to contact Will Tidball re: guest speaking at Awards Night
- Correspondence:
Club secretary (PB) read an email received from a Lee Hayes to the club in which he asks advice on best routes through East Devon for a proposed charity ride. IH said that Mr Hayes’ best bet would be to contact CTC/Cycling UK and in particular Graham Brodie. Action: PB to reply to the email, suggesting CTC/Cycling UK, and giving Mr Hayes Graham Brodie’s contact details.
Other correspondence was email from Ron Clint, the President of Sid Valley CC, informing us of the time, date and location of long-time EWCC member Chris Burton’s funeral – 10am, 18th December at East Devon Crematorium.
We also received the Winter Newsletter from the Road Records Association.
- Officer’s Reports (full reports can be found after the Minutes of each meeting)
5.1 Membership – We are currently in a period of transition as SS steps down and RM takes over. RM reported that he and SS are meeting up Friday 13th of December to effect handover.
5.2 Treasurer – Report from CS received, our bank balance is healthy, though JH said that as yet he had been unable to pay our rider levies to BC yet due to the technical issue with us renewing our membership.
5.3 British Cycling – NH did not have anything to report aside from two pieces of correspondence. The first related to a proposal for a new/expanded cycling facility at the Laurence Weston BMX track just off Junction 18 of the M5. This is 1hr 20 minutes away, so a little further than Ilton but something we should support. NH also reported that the Dawlish National Circuit Race had been confirmed for Friday evening 26th of July. It had been mentioned previously that there would be local races (subject to organisation by local clubs) as part of the weekend. NH said he would seek further information from Alan Jones, the SW BC Commissaire leading this as his latest email made no mention of this.
PB reported that SW BC/BC have given us the dates of 11th May 2025 for the Tom Hawkiins, and the last Thursday in June (26th) and the first Thursday in July (3rd) for our Westpoints. We have also been offered the 31st if July for a Westpoint but do not wish to take it up.
Race organiser for the Tom Hawkins to be PB, who expressed the need for him to be given lots of help as it was his first time as a road race organiser. He said he had already been in touch with previous organiser Joe Godwin regarding running the event.
Subject of the Zettle terminals was raised. PB confirmed he has them both in his possession. It was decided that an official booking in & booking out mechanism/forms be instituted. Action PB: produce booking in mechanism/forms.
JH reported that there had been a useful meeting of Escot volunteers last month. It was felt by AW and PB that our request for greater transparency of operation by SWCX could take place within the framework of the SWCX awards night, or if not then subsequent to that. It was recognised that it was good to have SWCX organising the league, but we feel that we would still like to raise the governance consideration of poor transparency.
Actions: PB to book Uffculme Community Hall as race HQ for Tom Hawkins
5.4 Cycling Time Trials – MR said it was good that we would be having an indoor HQ for the New Year Ten on 5th January. He went on to say that it was vital that riders arriving by car for the event park in the public car park and not in the residents’ car park any of the resident’s spaces out in the road.
5.5 Audax/Road Records Association – IH reported that nothing happening hence no report from him although he did inform us that long-time organiser of Audaxes Sarah Britton was stepping down from such activities at the end of 2025, but that Antonia Netherton/Weekes would be shadowing Sarah with a view to taking the role on.
5.6 Go-Ride – No report, DP absent.
5.7 Rides – report submitted by JH, and the Mince Pie run would be 22nd of December with the route available on the club website.
- A.O.B – This centred on the forthcoming awards night. A couple of further possibilities had been identified since last meeting, these being The Topsham Brewery in the Canal Basin, and St Thomas Social Club. We might also consider an alternative to a buffet if we choose the Cowick Barton. PB brought it to committee’s attention the need to make sure our timings allow sufficient time for Rorke to get the various trophies engraved. It is hoped to hold the Awards Night in February. If Will Tidball not available other possibilities were discussed including ex-Wheeler and National Hill Climb Champion Andrew Feather – Action AW – contact Will Tidball to see if might be happy to attend and speak. PB to contact Nik and Greg Rorke re: lead time on trophy organisation. PB to investigate various venue and menu options and report back.
- Date, Time and Place of next meeting: Monday 13th January 2025, 7.30 p.m. at The Cuckoo Bar.
Officer’s Reports in Full:
Treasurer (Chris Shakya):
Novembers Treasurer’s report as follows
Bank Balances
Current – £2,063.61
Saving – £18,309.23
PayPal – £166.48
Total – £20,539.32
November Income
Escot – £2,451.48
Memberships – £120.00
Bampton Breakfast – £64.83
Interest – £29.39
Total Income – £2,665.70
November Expenses
Escot – £1,397.69
Storage – £100.00
Race Team – £33.00
Zettle Card Reader – £18.00
Membership fee’s – £5.28
Bank Fee – £5.00
Total Expenses – £1,558.97
Cycling Time Trials report (Mike Rose)
Our New Year fancy dress (if applicable) is on the Honiton club course on January 5th first rider off at 10:00am. Entry £5:00 prizes for best fancy dress.
The HQ will be in the warmth this time as we have hired EDCC community centre at Dunnings Court Honiton. Refreshments facilities will be available here. The community centre is located at the bottom of the town turn left at the traffic lights (Cullompton Road) and then turn right into the large car park which is free on Sundays. The centre is situated on left as you come into the car park. Please note no parking down by the community centre as this is for residents only. I will source the post code and directions for Pete to paste on Facebook later. As usual we will require helpers including help with the refreshments at the hall.
At the recent SWCTT meeting we will require a risk assessment for Pete’s new course just outside Exeter.
The SWCTT committee is asking CCTT if they can become a working group instead of a committee due to lack of interest in participation awaiting response.
January we will have to review the dates and participation of clubs organising the club tens.
Rides Report (Jon Hare)
Rides Report is not much! But all positive that I’ve heard. A quiet time of year but all groups organising themselves, a lot of it via EWCC WhatsApp which is a great tool.
Importantly though – we have our Mince Pie Ride booked for Sunday 22nd! It would be great to have a few groups similar to the Centenary ride going at different paces. There will definitely be a steady social group however, as I intend to be there! I have booked the Bluebell Cafe, Willand for 10:30am ish but will be updating with time and numbers before we leave County Hall, plenty of time to get there! £4.50 for 2 mince pies and tea or coffee. BYO hip flask of Christmas cheer! If we can spread the word and get a really good turnout it will be a lovely festive event and a great chance to catch up with Club mates.