Bring yours to the next Gwent XC..

The short relay race that was being planned for the 11th of March will also now not go ahead. Sundays are of course special, indeed one could say 'especially special' as the Spring Marathon season approaches and the need for long steady runs becomes ever more important. Thursday night in the clubhouse is also the most popular time and place for talking, meeting (etc).     

1. Chair (Role – to chair general meetings and committee meetings and to represent the Club’s interests at regional and national forums)
2. Vice Chair (Role – to chair general meetings and committee meetings in the absence of the Chair and to represent the Club’s interests at regional and national forums)
3. Secretary (Role – to ensure that records are kept of all club activities and membership, to advise the club of all non-financial legal and regulatory requirements and to represent the Club’s interests at regional and national forums)
4. Membership Secretary (Role – to ensure that members pay all fees due and are duly registered with the club and with Welsh Athletics)
5. Treasurer (Role – to ensure that records are kept of all financial transactions, to advise the club on financial viability and sustainability, and to advise the club of all financial legal and regulatory requirements)
6. Club Captain (Role – to ensure that the club plays a full part in competitive running (in all modes) and to chair the Competition Sub Committee).
7. Six general members of the committee.

The six officers are elected for a two year period of office, ie until the 2014 AGM.  The six general members of the committee are elected for a one year period, ie until the 2013 AGM.

Election of officers and general members of the committee will be by written ballot at the EGM to be held on 11th March 2012.  (Ed's note: this will now be held on Thursday the 22nd of March at the club - see news above). To stand for election a member must be nominated by two full members.  Nominations will close on 7th February 2012 and should be forwarded to the current Secretary by e-mail, karenandjohn7@btinternet.com or posted to Les Croupiers Running Club c/o 29 Chestnut Close, Machen, CF83 8LF. 



The Club AGM will be held on 22nd January 2012 @ Llandaff Rugby and Athletic Club at 12 noon. Any current member can attend.

The Agenda can be found here along with the redrafted proposed constitution which forms the main business of this year's AGM.

Following publication of the original draft in December the document has been re-drafted following suggestions from a number of club members.  The committee is grateful for this feedback and input.

Further amendments will only be considered at the AGM if submitted to the Secretary by 20 January 2012 – any members wishing to make suggestions can do so by e-mail karenandjohn7@btinternet.com or by speaking to the secretary or any member of the committee who will then pass this information to the secretary.  This has to be done by 20 January 2012 at the latest.

The reasons for the proposed change is to provide a framework for the club (officers, committee members and all members in all categories) to operate within.  The framework aims to conform to legislative requirements and reflect best practice with regard to issues such as equality as well as the increasing diversity of the club and its activities.

Because of the way the current constitution works, if members agree, we need to approve a new constitution at the AGM on 22 January 2012 and then hold a further meeting in March to elect a new committee using the structures described in the attached document.  We are therefore suggesting that at the January AGM members consider extending the current committee to March.

The timetable is now:

• Papers for AGM including new constitution and proposal to extend committee membership to 11 March to be published by 13 January (Done);
• AGM 22 January where constitution to be considered for approval – amendments to be considered at the meeting if submitted to the Secretary by 20 January;
• GM to be held late March to elect officers and general members of the committee for terms office to the AGM in 2013 or 2014 as appropriate.

Details available here. If you can.....please support as either athlete or marshal. But not both. That's tricky.

The Kymin hill race takes place on Saturday the 7th Jan 2012 at 2pm. Its less than four miles and costs only £3 to enter. HQ is located at Monmouth Boys School Sports Centre.

Nice eh?

*Rod is a long term Les Croup, lives in Monmouth, likes motorbikes, maps, real ale and ballet***

**Will the ribbing ever end?

***A fib.

This is going to be a very special year for The Castles - the 30th running of the race (a remarkable achievement for such a complex and unique event - organising in effect 20 different races in just one weekend...) , 'twenty twelve' (Olympic Year - competition for team and individual places in the WCR equally keen though?!) and WCR life after Alan Thomas (who passed away recently). 

Luckily we have some new and much needed new blood on the WCR Team - Amanda Thompson has kindly agreed to take on the role of Race Registrar. Be warned, we're also looking for other conscripts though!!

Full details, as ever, on the main WCR website - and thanks to all our sponsors and supporters. There would be no WCR without Tata Steel, Run and Become, Brecon Carreg - and others??

See you in Caernarvon...

(on behalf of Richard Brewer, Race Coordinator)

It aims to provide a framework for the club (officers, committee members and all members in all categories) to operate within.  The framework aims to conform to legislative requirements and reflect best practice with regard to issues such as equality as well as the increasing diversity of the club and its activities.  It also attempts to make the committee more accountable to members and will hopefully encourage new members to participate.

Because of the way the current constitution works, if members agree, we need to approve a new constitution at the AGM on 22 January 2012 and then hold a further meeting in March to elect a new committee using the structures described in the attached document.  We are therefore suggesting that at the January AGM members consider extending the current committee to March.

The timetable for consultation is set out below:

• Issued to members via the website and at the Club on 15 December;
• All members invited to send comments to the Secretary by 6 January 2012 (e-mail karenandjohn7@btinternet.com) or hand your feedback to any committee member and it will be passed to the secretary.  You may also e-mail or ask questions if you require clarification on any aspect of the proposal;
•  The committee is meeting to consider members’ comments, agree whether to proceed to the AGM, re-draft where agreed on 10 January;
•  Papers for AGM including new constitution and proposal to extend committee membership to 11 March to be published by 13 January;
• AGM 22 January where constitution to be considered for approval – amendments to be considered at the meeting if submitted to the Secretary by 20 January;
• GM to be held late March to elect officers and general members of the committee for terms office to the AGM in 2013 or 2014 as appropriate.

After some investigating I've found that the original plans were mooted back last year and although there are no firm dates, I've read mention Spring/Summer 2012 with some disruption to the Taff Trail, slight rerouting etc.

In a previous newsletter, I reported on a proposed water turbine at Radyr Weir. I attended an update meeting and, after a feasibility study and subject to funding, the project will go ahead. I have seen the plans but unfortunately am unable to reproduce them - but the effect on the reserve will be very limited.

There will be a requirement to move a short stretch of the Taff Trail to the east. As part of of this change we may have opportunity to investigate the area which held the locks as part of the transport of materials for the Melingriffith Tinplate Works.

The turbine for Radyr Weir will be enclosed and protected from access by unauthorised people.

Secretary - Friends of Forest Farm.

This is a picture of a similar, although smaller, installation on the River Monnow near Monmouth.

Movember

Congratulations to all our Sherlock Holmes look-alikes

And don't forget its Gwent League #3 this Sunday at Singleton Park, Swansea. Pipes and tashes now optional...

Alan Thomas (Centre) with John Griffin (L) and Dick Brewer (R)

We are both shocked and saddened by the news as although we knew Alan had been battling a long illness, we thought he looked well when we saw him at the club just a few Thursdays ago.

Alan's health had deteriorated over the last week however, and unfortunately he lost his fight for life this morning.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Alan's family at this very sad time. Alan R.I.P.

Yvonne & Richie Bullen

Funeral Details:

No flowers but donations to Macmillan Cancer Support. Family and friends are also invited to Malpas Unionist Club after the service. It will be a humanist service with various short tributes.

Yesterday afternoon I visited Alan's home and spoke to wife Jean, daughter Tracey and son-in-law Nick.  They are responsible for organising events on the day.  They asked me to pass on their suggestions for the dress code for those attending the funeral.  They believe these would have been Alan's wishes.

The service at the crematorium will be a humanist one.  Apparently Alan will be cremated wearing a red Welsh rugby shirt.  Son-in-law Nick and his son will also be wearing a red Welsh rugby shirt at the ceremony.  They say if others attending wish to to wear a rugby shirt that is okay, but it must be a red Welsh rugby shirt.  For those members of Les Croupiers Running Club attending, it would be appropriate to wear a Welsh Castles T-shirt from whatever year.  For those who choose to wear traditional clothing that would also be fine.  Which of the three options you choose to wear is acceptable and you will not look out of place whichever one you choose.

After the ceremony the family ask that you join them at the Malpas Union Club for refreshments.  This was Alan's local club where he met his mates, usually on a Friday night to play dominoes.

Where is the Malpas Union Club?    It is next to the Harvester's restaurant.   Where is Harvester's restaurant?   If you are travelling up from Cardiff on the M4, you would turn off at junction 26, the A4042 to Cwmbran and onward to the crematorium.  Immediately after this junction turn off, about 200 yards away you come to some traffic lights.  Go straight up the hill, look to the left and you will see Harvesters.  The club is the next building up the hill.  This is where to return to after the funeral ceremony.  There is ample car parking space at Harvesters.

Following last year's Championship race selection it was decided that the process to garner opinion from the Club would be made easier.
Thus, attached is a link to a survey where you can make your suggestions for races you feel should be included.

Factors you may wish to take into account (the list is not finite) are:
+ One of our own events
+ Scheduling to avoid major clashes
+ History
+ Popularity
+ Status
+ Organisation
+ Results service
+ Travel
+ Cost of entering
+ Ease of entry
+ Enjoyment factor
+ Novelty factor

Please remember that the final Championship selection will be made by the Championship Selection sub-committee; which any member is welcome to join.
It is be no means a straightforward task and hours are spent deliberating. Please remember that their decision is final.

You now have until the end of the first week in November to put your suggestions forward.
http://www.surveymonkey.com/**THE SURVEY IS NOW CLOSED