Wheelers Meetings

Notes from Wheelers AGM held on 14 April 2004
at Limehouse Town Hall, Commercial Road E14

Present:
Owen Pearson (chair), Philip Loy (LCC), Steve Bradley, Steve Collins, M Shortts, Janice Cartwright, Keith Lay, David Tuckwell, Keith Jones, Gary Cummins, Caroline Fenton, Carol Gray, Ian Welsby, Fiona Dowson, Aneeta Patel, Alan Sims, Sue Dorey, David Allison
Apologies: Kerry Noble

1. Introductions

All introduced themselves and were welcomed to the AGM.

2. Philip Loy, LCC Cycling Development Officer

Philip gave an overview of his role in the LCC: in general to give support to the borough groups and provide a communication link between them and the LCC central office.

3. Wheelers Annual Reports (brief summaries)

Media
Newsletter: Carol Gray (editor) and Steve Bradley (design & print) took on the newsletter production in November 2003. A big thanks to Alix for all of her issues.
Press: Kerry Noble took on the role of Press Officer in December 2003. Twenty press releases were produced in 2003 covering all of our activities resulting in over 25 items in local papers, radio, tv and national cycling magazines.
Website & Egroup: Website averages 30 individual visitors a day. In 2003 the site had nearly 17,000 hits and 4,000 visitors. The egroup currently has over 130 members.

Finance
Balance at 31 December 2003: £8,133.31

Funding/Grants Awarded:
LB Tower Hamlets £1200 (campaigns/workshop)
St Katharine & Shadwell Trust £4456 (bike buddy scheme/workshop)
Awards for All £4749 (bike buddy scheme/workshop)

Campaigns
Since Colin Waters left, Wheelers have been quiet on specific campaigns hence need for a volunteer!

Events
Bike Week 2003 included: Cycling Fun Day in Victoria Park, Eastway Cycling Day, Cyclists Breakfast, Pedalling Picnic, Great Beigel Race plus several evening rides noteably East End on Screen themed ride.
Provided Dr Bike at London Bikeathon. Attended Get Moving event in Mile End Park.

Rides
Over 25 rides were organised during 2003, ranging from easy trips around the borough via towpaths and parks to leg stretching 100-milers. A weekend away to Essex was also arranged. From July onwards easy evening rides were offered and proved to be popular.

Workshop
On average 12 attendees. Five specialist tutorial sessions have been held - three on puncture repair, one on dynamo fitting and one on touring. The existing workshop tools have gradually been added to including a lightweight, portable workstand that is also now used at Dr Bike events.

March was the first anniversary of the "new" workshop - a note of thanks for the initiative, support and co-operation of the Boxing Club members at Limehouse Town Hall for its continuing success.

Bike Buddy Scheme
36 people have expressed an interest in the scheme, 25 have returned the introductory questionnaire, at least 10 have had one or more training lessons, 4 have purchased a low cost recycled bike and 3 have had some cycle accessories funded to assist them with their cycling. Almost all on the scheme are female. Five had not ridden a bike before, the rest had learnt as a child.

4. Election of Committee Posts

Philip Loy took over as chair for this section of the meeting. Posts were elected in accordance with the Wheelers constitution.

Guest Speaker: Patrick Field

Patrick gave an entertaining and thought provoking talk on our inevitable journey towards transport utopia.

The meeting closed at 8:50pm and was followed by a social with free drinks and nibbles.