This is version 4 of this Chair’s Chatter. Having sent my previous 2 versions to the committee, they suggested that I shorten it as people often don’t read long things…. & my version 3 was also quite long…. So, please read on – I’ve shortened it! (Still seems quite long though, but bear with it!)
ESW is thriving – I walked with the group this Wednesday for the first time since pre-Covid (foot operation etc. has kept me away) – there were 35 I believe on the walk from Crockham Hill. It was great to get out with ESW again & see some new faces (new to me, at least)
Each year we run many walks – in the year October 2021 to September 2022 there were 358, with 4361 people walking – obviously many people did several walks, that wasn’t 4361 different individuals… As well as the walks, we have several social events (New Years Lunch, Cream Tea, Summer Buffet, Autumn Social etc., plus, this year, our 40th anniversary lunch), coach trips & walking holidays.
We also have Barbara & Ken’s Krew beavering away to make walking in the East Surrey area a more pleasant experience. They replace stiles with kissing gates, cut back the overgrowth of brambles/nettles/trees etc. &, as they have this week, install steps & some handrails to make a particularly steep section of a path more usable.
It's thanks to the walk leaders, footpath wardens, Ken’s Krew & everyone who helps out at the events we hold, not to mention the other members of your current committee that these walks & events take place, seemingly effortlessly. Of course, there is a lot of work that goes on in the background arranging all these things & that’s where we need some help!
As stated in my last Chair’s Chatter (& in a recent NB), we desperately need people to stand on the ESW committee! We currently have approximately 450 members in East Surrey Walkers & generally, at events, we have around 35-45 people turn up, so a bit under 10% of the membership - often the same people, many of whom have previously stood on the committee. We need new/different people to come forward. Currently our committee meetings tend to be after a walk, mid afternoon, but if that didn’t suit someone due to work commitments, it would be easy to have an evening meeting instead. There’s only about 4/year & email communication works well too!
Your current committee consists of only 5 people & at our AGM in November, we will be losing 3: Arthur, Secretary; Helen McD, Walks Co-ordinator & Janette, Membership Secretary, as they have all served their 3 years in post. Ideally, it would be good to have a committee of 7, but I believe 3 makes us quorate.
Although the November AGM seems a long way off, I think it’s important that we start trying to fill these committee roles now, as hoping that someone will volunteer at the AGM seems overly optimistic. If we get a volunteer(s) now it gives us the chance to have a sensible hand over period/shadowing of the role & the election at the AGM will then (hopefully) be a formality.
I started off with long(ish) “job descriptions” of the vacant roles, but have decided to cut this right back. If you’re interested, please contact the relevant person (details below). The roles that need filling are:
Membership Secretary: We have a volunteer for the Membership Secretary role, for which we are truly thankful!
Secretary: Obviously involves minute taking etc for committee meetings & other bits & bobs, please contact Arthur on
Walks Co-ordinator: This is quite an important role for a walking group! None of you would be able to enjoy the walks you enjoy with ESW if it wasn’t for our Walks Co-ordinator (& Nigel in the background too of course). If you feel that you would be able to take on this role, please contact Helen McD via
Publicity Officer: Currently we don’t have anyone doing this role, although Steve Hanks is still producing the occasional article for various local publications, for which we thank him, & Nikki is doing a marvellous job with Facebook. It would be great to have someone who could maybe do a bit more pro-active publicity locally. Contact me
Member without Portfolio: It would be really great if we could have a member (or 2) on the committee who don’t have a specific role as such, but are there to help run ESW & as an extra “voice of the people”. They could, perhaps, learn about the various roles with a view to taking one on in a year or two. Contact me
Social Secretary: this role is currently being managed by several people (Helen & Amanda W, Angie & Doug & Sue Halsey). This seems to be working, but there is no single “voice” on the committee to oversee social events. If someone fancied doing this, that would be great, but filling the other vacant roles must take priority.
Remember, it’s easy to criticize your committee… “I don’t think they should have done that”… “I’d have done that differently”… “Why don’t they…?” But, if you’re not prepared to stand, then please don’t criticize!
Footpath Secretary: We are also short of a Footpath Secretary as Ian Simm, who has been covering the Godstone, Oxted, Tandridge, Titsey parishes, is moving away from the area, so we are looking for a person or persons to take this task on. Anyone interested in knowing more, please contact Tony Pearson on
I understand that the cream tea at St Andrews, went well (I was on holiday & so couldn’t attend). Thanks to Sue Halsey for organising & all the helpers who washed up/put tables/chairs out/away etc.
Our next event is the Summer Buffet on 20th August, which is once again being held in Christine & Ian Scott’s garden. Thank you, Christine & Ian! and thanks to Helen Whiteley for organising. I may see some of you there.
So, please give some thought as to what you could do to help East Surrey Walkers continue to be the ESW you know & (hopefully) love & to help it grow into something more.
Thanks & happy walking.
Kind regards
Deb Skinner Chairman East Surrey Walkers