Colchester Rovers Cycling Club
Committee Meeting Minutes – 1st June 2026
Meeting: 1st June 2026 Committee Meeting
Format: Colchester Northern Gateway
Chair: Nick Swainston
1. Attendance
Present: Nick Swainston (Chair), Julie Taplin (minutes), Maggie Hargreaves, Malcolm Hargreaves, Paul Meadows, Justin Smith, Jacqui Mortlock, Helen Arnold, Matt Haigh, Colin White, David Taplin
Apologies: Claire Bedford, Ed Page, Simon Wilson, David Scrimshaw
2. Approval of Previous Minutes
The minutes of the previous committee meeting (5th May 2026) were approved as an accurate record.
Proposed: Colin White
Seconded: Paul Meadows and Jacqui Mortlock
Matters arising:
Claire Bedford has let the committee know she is stepping down from her position as Secretary due to work commitments. Thanks to Claire for her contribution to the Club. Julie Taplin, Vice Secretary, will step in to do the minutes. Action: Nick will look to purchasing a device that can record and summarise meetings to help with writing the minutes if no one is available to do them.
3. Treasurer’s Report
April figures contained an error and will be reissued. May accounts appear correct.
Club finances remain healthy, with approximately £34,111.10 in the main/current account.
Action: Nick will investigate the missing payment transfers from the SumUp system.
Approximately £800 expected to be donated to St Helena Hospice following the Spring Reliability Ride
Jock Wadley accounts have been finalised; a small loss of around £300 was reported.
4. Membership
Four new memberships approved. 3 Juniors and 1 adult
5. Youth Team & Youth Development
Simon sent apologies due to grass-track commitments.
Mixed views expressed about the move to Northern Gateway.
Concerns raised about: Circuit size. Surface quality. Safety at higher speeds.
Simon has reportedly been working with Northern Gateway on improvements and course maintenance.
Participation numbers are said to be increasing despite concerns.
Committee recognised that Monday meetings clash with grass-track activities.
Proposal discussed to move committee meetings to Tuesdays during the grass-track season (likely from May to July and possibly August). Action: Maggie will speak to Leisure World to ask for the change of date in July (and August if grass track is still going ahead).
6. Road & Circuit Racing
Greg has listed the August ‘Back to School’ races on 30th August at CNG with British Cycling events. Entries are currently low but there is still a bit of time to go.
7. VCR Thursday Track Sessions
Attendance and income are significantly lower than last year.
Helen has continued to repost the Facebook page and encourage people to comment if they are attending until she can get a list of names
April income: approximately £127.
May income: approximately £190.
Concern expressed about long-term viability if numbers continue to decline.
Action: Nick will speak to VCR to see how they feel.
8. Time Trials
Club events continue to attract around 16–21 riders.
Positive result in inter-club competition against Sudbury.
Discussion about accepting entries on the day; current preference remains for advance entry to avoid administration issues and uncertain field sizes.
25 mile TT planned for 21st June has had to be cancelled.
9. Safeguarding
Nothing outstanding
10. Shrub End storage and the bike boxes
Letter drafted to the council regarding future storage arrangements at Northern Gateway.
Committee generally supportive of retaining storage facilities and, if necessary, purchasing a new container.
Discussion around future storage needs, especially if cyclocross and youth activities expand.
Review planned to assess whether older bike boxes are still required or could be sold.
Action: Nick to circulate the letter to the council for the committee to review.
11. Dunwich Dynamo
Current interest is quite low (around six names registered).
Event promotion will be refreshed via Eventbrite, email and social media.
Transport arrangements will be confirmed once final numbers are known. Paul is happy to drive a van or car.
Nick to create event via Eventbrite
12. Any Other Business
Jacqui enquired about the First Aid course with VCR. Action: Julie will investigate.
Congratulations noted for Siobhan Curtis, who completed a 100-mile time trial in approximately 4 hours 15 minutes under very hot conditions—described as an outstanding performance.
Significant discussion about future leadership and volunteer recruitment.
Concerns raised that the club currently lacks a permanent secretary and chairperson.
Nick stated that he intends to stand down as Vice Chair at the next AGM due to increasing work and family commitments. But he will probably continue to organize the Jock Wadley Road Race.
Maggie indicated she may be willing to stand as Chair, provided a Vice Chair can be found.
Agreement that the club needs to encourage more members to volunteer for key committee roles.
A communication to members is to be prepared regarding future committee vacancies and succession planning.
12. Date of Next Meeting
Meeting closed at 20:45
Next meeting: Tuesday 7th July 2026 – 19:30. In person at Colchester Northern Gateway