Apologies for the strange formatting error in some of the paragraphs.

Greg Smith offers this summary of the proceedings [as well as the photos]. The minutes will be distributed to members in due course.

The 118th year of Lancashire Walking Club was marked by an Annual General Meeting
following the traditional but shorter than expected 5 kilometres race from Simister into
Heaton Park and back. It began with members standing for a minute’s silence in memory of Eric Horwill, a long-standing supporter of the Club’s racing activities and recognised widely as a race walking legend.

Chairman Dave Evan expertly guided us through the meeting’s agenda, beginning with his
report of the competition highlights of the year. President Chris Harvey told us about his
efforts to attract new members and encouraged everyone to think about how to raise the
Club’s profile.

Treasurer and General Secretary Roy Gunnett informed us that while the Club’s finances
were in good shape, it would be necessary to raise the annual subscriptions because the cost
of each England Athletics racing license had gone up. Club subscriptions would increase to
£30 a year (with reductions for second claim members). Roy also reported that England
Athletics were asking all clubs to modernize and standardize their procedures. In that
connection Greg Smith became the Club’s Welfare Officer this year. Roy was working on
further changes to the Club’s constitution and procedures, to be ready for the registration
period next year

The annual awards results were keenly awaited. Under a revised scheme—counting the
points from walkers’ best five handicap performances—Steve Wilde won the overall prize
and cup. He was followed by Nigel Shaw, Phil McCullagh and Tony Bell. Three athletes (Pat
Evans, Roy Gunnett and Joe Hardy) tied for the fifth prize! The A. J. Taylor award went to
Roy Gunnett for his 5k time in the Fred Pearce Relay while the Cliff Royle Silver Salver was
won by Martin Payne for his second place in the Eindhoven 50k.

The meeting agreed that all the Club officers for the current year would act in those capacities
for the following year.

1. Chairman: Dave Evans
2. Treasurer: Roy Gunnett
3. Racing Secretary and General Secretary: Roy Gunnett
4. Trophies Officer: Roy Gunnett
5. Auditor: Ian Hilditch
6. Handicapper: Dave Evans
7. AGM Secretary: Greg Smith
8. Club Captain: Ian Hilditch

Finally, Chris Bolton was appointed a Lifetime Member of Lancashire Walking Club. Chris
began walking for the Club in 1958 and became a Centurion in 1961 as C332. Thanking the
members for his award and certificate, Chris noted that his first annual subscription to LWC
was 10 shillings and sixpence – 52½ pence in present-day currency!