Minutes for Bae Ceredigion Branch of CAMRA Meeting AGM Saturday 18th June 2011 Wynnstay Machynlleth 1pm
Present: Present: Sara Dyer (SD), Rhys Jones (RJ) Llinos Griffith (LG) Paul Adams (PA) Mark Dyer (MD) Mary Galliers (MG) Mike Galliers (MkG) Nia Richards (NR) Adam Watkin-Jones (AJ) Kathy Giles (KG) Chris Giles (CG) Ringo Holt (RH) Dick Yorke (DY)
1. Apologies - John Kearney,
2. Minutes of previous meeting Talbot Tregaron Sat 14th May were approved
3. Matters arising – not on the agenda – there were none
4. Treasurer’s report – CG passed round the report and drew to our attention that even though we were still in the black and had sent £100 to HQ we were did not make enough to cover our outgoings (frame for Pub of the Year and postage mainly) this year.
It was discussed that the socials always made a profit but perhaps we should charge more and make a bigger profit or run more socials to make more money. The suggestion to charge non members more was also raised as it is common practice in other branches.
It was decided that we need to make money out of the general public and other CAMRA members rather than just those who turn up and support events. Will discuss further under item 7.
However we are only a very small branch and maybe we shouldn’t worry too much about how much we send to HQ at the moment. Most branches make money on their beer festival and ours is still in its infancy. Maybe we should concentrate on raising the profile first rather than worrying about trying to raise a lot of money for central funds.
5. Membership - MG reported we have had no new members since last meeting and 2 lapsed members. It was asked if we could know who they were in case we knew them and could encourage them to renew. It was felt that it was OK for MG to contact them but not reveal the contact details.
We have around 70 members now. MG to check her membership list against the circulation list for minutes and socials to see if there are any more mail addresses we could be using to save more on postage.
MG to find out about the Student Real Ale Society’s Affiliation Scheme – how it works what they are entitled to etc.
No membership forms or stands have arrived yet.
6. Correspondence - SD had circulated information received regarding Llanfair Clydogau Beer Festival – MG & MkG went along and reported that the beer was good (but the cider was not “real”) and all in all a good event.
RJ has received notification of National Cask Ale Week 1-9th October. We don’t usually have much involvement as the landlords had to pay for the promotional pack and it didn’t seem worth the outlay. This year is seems there will be some free stuff. SD to ask HQ what is available and if it seems worth it order 25 sets for our September Meeting.
CG had a letter from HQ thanking us for the £100 donation.
7. Fund Raising / Publicity / Social (include walking/bus/train surveying trips)
20th August camping trip to http://www.gwaunvalleybrewery.co.uk confirmed. They allow dogs on site but not in the brewery itself. They do put on music every Saturday evening and some food about 9pm, but if we want to take more food for a feast that’s OK. They would like an idea of numbers so let Llinos know directly or use the contact on the website please. info@ceredigioncamra.org.uk if you are intending on joining us. There are 2 B&Bs quite close for those that don’t want to camp and Newport and Fishguard are only a short taxi ride away.
Re our 8th October trip - The Breconshire Brewery is up for sale but the brewer is setting up himself and should be brewing by September so plenty of choices. Also Bill George of Gwynt y Ddaig http://www.gwyntcider.com is happy to see us any Saturday and we can get there on public transport if we are doing a weekend stopover.
CG and LG to liaise about other ideas for raising money.
KG will speak to Kara at the Black Lion Llanbadarn with a view to having a quiz there (what is a good night etc) then let LG know details. CG will sort out some beer related prizes for quiz.
We discussed the idea of a treasure hunt on foot around Aberystwyth but the difficult bit is making the effort worthwhile by getting more people involved – these ideas need developing.
When we have a logo we can print it on things to sell i.e. t shirts etc. which will present more revenue generation opportunities.
There is also a possibility of making more money out of the beer festival next year.
8. Website news – AJ reported that there will be some changes to the website software in the Autumn, AJ to train SD and also LG & NR who missed the initial training.
General agreement that the website looks good now (for the smallest branch) and is generally up to date (which is the most important thing). Need to promote the website as much as possible so need to add it to the newsletter and minutes.
CG asked AJ how many hits we are getting to see if we can judge if the effort is worthwhile and what is working and what isn’t. AJ suggested using something like MailChimp http://mailchimp.com so we can see what people do with the mails etc.
We also discussed the possibility of creating an online database of pubs in the area – which we have been wanting to do since the branch started. Maybe it would be a way of generating revenue too if the pubs paid for advertising . RJ to check with HQ about what branches are already doing and what they are allowed to do etc and report to the next meeting.
1. Pub Brewery and Beer News (Nags Head?) – We discussed if we should request deletion for the Nags Head in Aberystwyth from the current beer guide. Deletion was proposed by PA and seconded by NR. A vote was taken 11 in favour 1 against and 1 abstention. RJ is to send the completed form off to request deletion.
DY asked which pubs in Machynllyth are in the 2012 Good Beer Guide and which ones were surveyed. Information was given and all branch members are reminded to fill in the beer score cards and enter them on the website or send them to Rhys. Remember you can fill one in wherever you are in UK!
CG reported that the beer range in the Victoria at Borth is improving
As we heard at the last meeting Mr Williams of the Dovey Valley Hotel (on the national inventory) just outside Machynlleth has passed away and it seems the relative are all in the Birmingham area. Haydon Williams had been looking after it while Mr Williams was in hospital but RH reported that it doesn’t seem to be open at all now. RH will speak to Hayden and let us know what’s happening asap but it doesn’t seem likely it will stay a pub if / when it goes up for sale.
10 Election of officers – No nominations had been received in advance of the meeting so nominations were taken from the floor.
Chair LG Nominated RG seconded CG Unanimously voted as accepted
RJ accepted and thanked all committee members – past – present – and future for their help and support and underlined what had been achieved since the branch was founded.
SecretarySD was nominated but unwilling to stand as now has two jobs and full time for the first time in 12 years and is struggling. No other nominations were received so RJ volunteered to have the job tacked on to Chair as long as someone did the minutes and the agendas for all future meetings. A number of people AJ, LG, MG, MkG, CG volunteered to take turns in doing the minutes. We will decide at the beginning of each meeting who will do the minutes. This idea was unanimously agreed.
Treasurer MD nominated CG seconded CG unanimously voted in.
Social SecretarySD nominated LG seconded CG unanimously voted in.
Membership Secretary RJ nominated MG seconded CG unanimously voted in.
Webmaster PA nominated AJ seconded by CG unanimously voted in.
Publicity and Postal Network CG nominated MD seconded by CG unanimously voted in.
11. Logo Competition - HQ were contacted by MkG to find out the rules on branch logos and 3 designs were put forward:
Dolphin based, Kite based and Sun based. A lot of discussion ensued the vote was then taken. Dolphin 9 votes Kite 2 votes Sun 1 vote. We have adopted the design with a dolphin as the branch logo. Many thank to MkG for bringing the working designs. He will now work on the final design and bring some options to the meeting in September i.e. different sizes and contrast options for B&W copying, different numbers of colour for t- shirt printing. RH said he would be interesting in sponsoring enamel type pins.
Discussion then went on to the name of the branch as it doesn’t really fit our geographical area anymore. After much discussion three options were put forward and votes cast as below
Ceredigion - 3
Bae Ceredigion – 7
The branch is now called Bae Ceredigion (CardiganshireBay)
............................................ Blind Raffle and Beer Break .........................................................
12. Dates and venues of next meetings - please remember to bring your diaries so we can plan a few.
· Saturday 17th September – Black Lion Llanbadarn 2pm start. KG will organise venue.
· Saturday 19th November – Purple Moose Brewery, Porthmadog 1pm start http://www.purplemoose.co.uk CG to speak to brewery and arrange. RJ to contact local branch and let them know and see if they want to meet or come along.
· Saturday 14th January Wynnstay Machynllyth 4.30pm start with a view to staying on for a “Christmas Meal” afterwards. LG to sort out nearer the time.
13. Book – Great British Pubs - photos in? RJ reported that no one is hassling him for photos so he presumes they are either in or not needed yet. He will pass on any messages he gets regarding this.
14. AOB
£15 made on the blind raffle and fun was had by all so will do the same thing for the September meeting. Great success thanks to everyone who took part and MG & MKG for the idea.
Meeting closed 3.55pm