This is the fifth in an ongoing Striders history series compiled from Striders newsletters and committee records. The other pages are:

• Striders History 1982–1993: https://www.steelcitystriders.co.uk/striders-history-1982-1993/
• Striders History 1994–2000: https://www.steelcitystriders.co.uk/striders-history-1994-2000/
• Striders History 2000–2014: https://www.steelcitystriders.co.uk/striders-history-2000-2014/
• Striders History 2014–2017: https://www.steelcitystriders.co.uk/striders-history-2014-2017/

---

Striders History 2018–2021 by Roger Stevenson (founder member and club archivist)

Hey up Striders, have a break from running and sit down and read the latest piece of club history starting from January 2018 and I will find the time and energy to finish this at December 2021.

Looking back before looking forward, this history takes your breath away!

So much has happened, most of it beyond the expectations of those lads and lasses that were involved with the club in its very early days. 

Hundreds of memories, the majority good. The bad ones were overcome, the club and members moved on.

If folks were looking to change their lifestyle, they found a change big time when the running bug took hold of their life.

This history as you read it, you will have gathered, is not like reading a book.

There is a lot of detail gathered from committee minutes. Unfortunately the information on the club’s Facebook site passes by too quickly to gather. I have at times been tempted to miss some information out, but decided not to because within the detail lies a moment in time remembered with some fondness by a member or members.

Hold on to your trainers, here we go again!

36th Annual General Meeting at Nether Edge Bowling Club, 18 January 2018

• 44 members attended
• Financial reserve of £37k would cover any contingencies in the future
• Financial report and balance sheet approved
• The following nominations for the 2018 committee were approved: Norma Parkes, Adrian Moss, Louis Wood, James Hunter, Stewart Robinson, Luigi Cazzato, Mick Wall, Nancy Stuart, Richard Pegg, Nick Burns, John Kilcoyne, Ashleigh Barron, Richard Dunk and Nicky Nield
• Richard Dunk confirmed that in addition to a pudding for finishers in the 2018 Percy Pud they would be given a packet of custard
• 41 club members received trophies in the female and male age categories
• Approximate figures for income and expenditure in 2017 were: income £75k, expenditure £78k. The negative difference was noted not to be of concern as the club reserves are good!
• The reserve policy continues to be that the club should hold sufficient funds to manage any unforeseen situations
• Club member James Fletcher is the independent examiner of the club accounts

Annual Report for 2017

• 581 members at the end of 2017, quite a rise from the 473 members at the beginning of that year
• As in the past, members competed in the following cross country races: Yorkshire County Champs. Northern Counties and the English National
• Striders assumed responsibility for organising the SYCCA Road Race League
• Leisha Shiner wins the Striders Parkrun Cup
• 196 Striders complete the Sheffield Half Marathon, the best turnout ever for a single race
• 24 of the 73 Hallam Chase finishers were Striders
• Striders Ladies Caroline Brock, Sian Evans and Jen Rich win the Damflask Relays. 14 men’s teams competed.
• A record turnout of 106 runners for the Striders 10k. The winners were Sian Evans and Phil Skelton.
• 12 teams ran the Dronfield Relay
• 201 runners completed the Salt Cellar fell race
• 18 teams completed the Sheffield Way Relay. Totley AC break the course record.
• 2 Striders completed the Sheffield Way Ultra
• 37 Striders completed the first SYCCA Cross Country League fixture
• 2518 runners complete the 25th Percy Pud, won by Andy Heyes with a new course record of 29:42. Eilish McColgan set a new ladies record of 32:32.
• 1 Strider passed the Coach in Running Fitness and 11 completed the Leadership in Running Fitness qualification The club has now 50 England Athletics qualified coaches and leaders.
• Around 70 participated in four 5k to 10k courses, most of whom completed the courses, with a few since joining Striders
• The club website was visited over 94,000 times during 2017 with over 700 page views each day. 396 races were reported on during the year.
• There are currently 2194 Twitter followers, 1965 Facebook members and 459 in the club Strava group
• 304 male members raced 21,207 miles in 350 races and 164 lady members raced 9,640 miles in 208 races
• Jennifer Rich set a new club record for the Marathon with 3:02:44 only for this to be bettered by Sian Evans with 3:02:42
• Helen Eberlin set a new V70 record at 10k in 52:08 and a Half Marathon record of 2:10:26
• Graham Hague set new V65 records at 15 miles in 1:58:28 and in the Marathon 4:09:34
• Terry Armstrong set new V70 records at 5 miles in 43:18 and in the Half Marathon 2:14:54
• Pete Hethershaw set a new V70 10K record of 55:03.
• Michael Newsam set a new V75 record for 10K of 1:32:34
• Mick Wall set new records at 100m in 12.64s, 200m in 25.4s and long jump 5 metres.
• The 2017 Long Distance Strider was won by Naomi Rabin with 316.2 miles and Nick Burns with 467.8 miles
• Striders donated over £6500 to charities and good causes

February 2018

Committee meeting on 13 February at Norton Oaks Cricket Club.

• £6500 had been suggested as a figure from Percy Pud to allocate to donations and good causes, but Richard Dunk thought that £4500 might be a more realistic figure: £100 Dungworth School, £100 Loxley School, £100 Loxley Pavilion, £100 St Nicholas Church, £100 Ibbotson Memorial Trust, £500 for British Heart Foundation in memory of Trevor Burton, £500 Children’s Hospital, £2500 St Luke’s Hospice, £100 to S6 food bank. It was noted that £200 had been donated to the Children’s Hospital by the father of the male winner and £100 to St Luke’s by the 2nd male.
• There was discussion on using some of the funds to encourage participation in running. The England Athletics initiative on Mental Health Ambassadors was discussed and although James Norton had raised this with the membership and some interest had been expressed, the committee was not aware of this initiative being taken forward.
• Club member Steve Haake involved with a new Junior Park run at the Legacy Park
• £20 collection at Rod Clark’s funeral donated to the club
• A suggestion that the membership system should be modernised using a company such as SiEntries. In addition a backup Membership Secretary should be appointed. Adrian Moss to discuss this with Stewart Robinson.
• Risk assessments need to be taken for Striders club events i.e. Striders 10k, Dronfield Relay and Sheffield Relay. Risk assessment already undertaken for Salt Cellar fell race.
• Norma Parkes has circulated a job description for the role of Secretary and something similar needs to be drafted for Treasurer and Membership Secretary with an estimate of how much time each role involves
• Men’s and women’s teams to be entered in the Northern Relays at Birkenhead
• Latest 5k to 10k courses have been announced at Millhouses and Hillsborough parks
• Northern Cross Country Champs was a successful day out at Harewood House
• Volunteers required for 5-mile Road League event at Penistone
• Striders will assist with other clubs at 5-mile events at Brodsworth, Lodge Moor and Worsborough
• Social Secretary commented that the Gas Lamp Challenge run from the Hallamshire Squash and Tennis Club went well
• With the new General Data Protection Regulation coming into force shortly the privacy notice on application forms needs to be updated, although there is a low risk of members challenging. Nicky Nield and Norma Parkes will prepare a report on the document received from EA regarding Data Protection.
• Richard Pegg reported after attending a meeting of the SYCAA that they are short of officials for track and field races
• Richard Dunk has received an e-mail from a company offering Chip Timing
• Richard suggested the possibility of the club owning a race clock

The length and scope of the minutes above is an indication of the work involved for the committee. All that work makes this club what it is, a professional organisation run by volunteers working for its members.

March 2018

Committee meeting 27 March at Norton Oakes Cricket club.

• Andy Buck to contact Northern Athletics and tell them that currently Striders is not in favour of separate affiliation to Northern Athletics
• Andy to contact John Crossland to complete a risk assessment for the Round Sheffield Relay
• The Club Secretary has been contacted by England Athletics with regard to status of DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checks for LiRF (Leadership in Running Fitness) and coaches
• Treasurer re: finance matters. Current accounts circulated via e-mail prior to meeting
  • Club auditor James Fletcher has nearly completed the audit of the 2017 accounts
  • Cheque signatories are in the process of being changed
  • Nottingham Building Society account has been closed
  • Interest rates investigated for long term deposit
  • Members to be asked for suggestions for someone with a financial background to shadow the club Treasurer, the reason being that the post could be split, i.e. bill payment and pulling accounts together
  • Sage being investigated for an accounting system
• Up to date membership details are now on the Committee Facebook page.
• Job description of Membership Secretary’s role to organise for Nick Burns who has volunteered to shadow the Membership Secretary’s role. Stewart Robinson to act!
• Jen Rich has set a new female 20-mile record
• Fantastic performance by Ladies’ team noted in Northern Relays. 14th out of 48 teams.
• A meeting of members involved with runs from Heeley to be organised to sort out problems there
• 5k to 10k courses are proving popular and a limit of 30 at Millhouses has been set
• GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation)
  • 4 documents discussed and slight modification to be made to Privacy Policy
  • Membership form on club website to be amended
  • More work to be carried out on Privacy Statement to take into account EA’s suggested wording
  • Mick Wall to create a Google document where members would just tick a box to consent to use of data
  • Discussion on how to obtain consent from members who had not supplied an e-mail address
• Club deferred widening participation in running in Sheffield. Pathways to Parkrun.
• A new race director required for Round Dronfield Relay
• Andy Buck to contact SYCAA because club believe that male and female cross country races should be the same distance

April 2018

Committee meeting 24 April at Norton Oakes Cricket Club.

• Michael Richardson offers to become Assistant Treasurer
• James Fletcher has completed the audit
• Joe Buckman, Simon Bayliss and Rosa Sampson Geroski to help with Dronfield Relay
• Adam Whitworth to hand over responsibility of Dronfield Relay to above named
• Re: equalising the distances of men’s and women’s races. Andy Buck in contact with English National Cross Country Association and Norma Parkes attended a meeting of the SYCAA
• Andy Buck has contacted North of England Athletic Association regarding Striders not affiliating (110 clubs have agreed to affiliate). There may be a reduction in affiliation fees if they have sufficient income. Position to be reviewed. Andy to contact NOEAA to clarify when affiliation comes into force.
• GDPR documents finalised, Privacy Policy and Statement to go on website, as are instructions to volunteers. Membership form to be updated. A Google form to be created to go out to all members via Mailchimp to consent to retention of data and sending out of e-mails. Mick Wall to complete these tasks.
• Nick Burns has agreed to shadow Membership Secretary’s role
• Stewart Robinson to update his description of his Membership Secretary’s role
• Accounts to 8 April circulated via e-mail. Financial position still healthy and change of signatories progressing.
• Adrian Moss to review audit and report back
• Up to date membership details on Facebook page
• Another 12 applications received this week. 4 changes of clubs to Striders as first claim have gone through. Now 630 first claim members, 180 still to renew.
• Fell Relays will be held at Grasmere (Lake District) on 20 October
• Dam Flask Relays on 26 June. E-mail to go out for expressions of interest.
• 4 members from head torch group, Amy Duck, Clare Trevitt, Ben Clithero and Joe Buckman went on the Fell version of Leadership in Running Fitness course
• It was decided it was not economical to send the 3 other Striders put forward from the head torch group, Jill Davies, Andy Green and John Rawlinson on the course as they had already been on the road version of LiRF, so little extra gained
• Discussions re Monday night training at Heeley ongoing
• Dates of following announced:
  • Round Dronfield Relay: 8July
  • Striders 10k: 13 July
  • Salt Cellar: 3 August
  • Round Sheffield Relay and Ultra: 23 September
  • Percy Pud: 3 December
• John Kilcoyne to contact Anglers Rest at Bamford about catering after club 10k, re: dissatisfaction at last year’s buffet
• Ashleigh Barron discussed the meeting she and other interested members had with the organisers of a new Junior Parkrun to be held at the Olympic Legacy Park. The organisers wish to involve local people and not to be populated by those who do not live in the area. It was agreed that Striders would continue to contribute to the development of the OLP Junior Parkrun. There are only a small number of members who live in the S9 area. Andy Buck will be attending a meeting on 23 May in connection with Parkrun.
• John Kilcoyne asked if a donation in lieu of room charges could be made to Norton Oakes Cricket Club

June 2018

Committee meeting 5 June at Norton Oakes Cricket

• Adrian Moss and Michael Richardson in conversation re: shadow Treasurer
• Mick Wall and Nicole in conversation re organisation at Heeley training night
• GDPR documentation dealt with
• Nick Burns still to contact Stewart Robinson re: shadowing Membership Secretary
• Andy Buck has drafted a proposal re: Heeley, sent to Mick Wall for checking and then on to all run leaders for comments
• Draft of paper re: girls’ and women’s cross-country distances is waiting
• Members contacted re: organisation of Dronfield Relay
• Meeting attended re: Parkrun. Ideas on expansion and connection into initiatives whereby doctors, nurses, etc. prescribe social stuff like physical activity rather than medicine.
• Auditor suggested that membership numbers be reconciled with payments to EA
• Suggestion that a breakdown of entry fees for Percy Pud received by FRSystems would lead to greater transparency and the Treasurer recommended that this should be adopted. Richard Dunk to speak with FRSystems.
• Concern raised re: amount spent on prizes for Percy Pud. Suggestion that the race fee could be reduced if prizes were reduced was not accepted by the Treasurer.
• Committee agreed there were no concerns with these points.
• Andy Buck organising entry to Fell Relays
• 10 Ladies and 20 men’s teams entered for Dam Flask Relays
• Nick Burns to check invoice for 5-mile events and authorise payment
• Luigi Cazzato to check if volunteers are needed for Dronfield Relay
• Numbers required for 10k, Dronfield and Sheffield Way Relays. Accelerate supply numbers for Salt Cellar Fell Race
• Discussion had taken place as to whether a first aid kit should be available at Striders informal events. Decided this was not necessary.
• Spirals organised on a rolling basis
• Phil Howson to organise a commemorative run for Trevor Burton along canal towpath followed by food at the Dorothy Pax
• Entry forms for Salt Cellar and Percy Pud to be reviewed
• Luigi Cazzato to contact Dean Young to ensure that entries for Salt Cellar comply with GDPR
• Confirmed that Percy Pud entry form complies with GDPR
• No Percy Pud numbers to be picked up on day of race
• Entry fee will remain same as 2017. Custard to be provided along with puddings.
• All finishers and volunteers to receive a beanie hat
• Cheque for £100 given to Norton Oakes Cricket Club for use of room for meetings

July 2018

Committee meeting at Norton Oakes Cricket Club 17 July

• Conversation between Dave Beech, Andy Buck and James Hunter re: digitisation of Striders News. Nick Burns to carry out scanning.
• Certificate of affiliation received from EA together with Competition Rule book
• Treasurer commented that club is in a strong financial position
• Expenses authorised for track night organised by Andy Davies
• Nick Burns believes that club members are not aware of the charitable donations the club makes and these donations should be publicised
• Ashleigh Barron suggested an addition to the club website to include a history of donations
• Striders to hand over donation to the Eastern Moors Partnership. Other suggested donations were to the fence in Mayfield Valley, Round Dronfield Walk, Wales Air Ambulance and Edale Mountain Rescue.
• Now 650 first claim members.
• Renewals: 100 reminders sent out. 39 replies of which 12 were resignations.
• At the end of July or beginning of August the remaining 61 will be informed they are no longer members and will not receive any further information and will be removed from the membership list
• Stewart Robinson has put together a short document for Nick Burns outlining duties of Membership Secretary
• Discussion re: taking over of the membership system by SIEntries. Mick Wall, Stewart Robinson and Nick Burns to investigate. Membership fees would not be increased. Will ask that SIEntries comply with GDPR.
• 33 teams finished Dam Flask Relays. Suggested that next year the single role of organisation should be split, i.e. 1 for male teams and 1 for female teams.
• 4 teams entered for Fell Relays.
• 150 finished Striders 10k, of whom 16 were guests.
• 14 teams completed Dronfield Relay
• Andy Buck has sent out a proposition re: organisation of training night at Heeley. 4 responses received.
• The GDPR spreadsheet sent out has received 380 replies. 300 still to respond.
• A comment that Club Facebook group is too public! 2149 members currently as against a club membership of 700. Is a closed shop group wanted for members only?
• 2300 followers on Twitter
• Louis Wood to investigate cross-country dates, i.e. League, Cutlers Relay and the Sheffield Open Meeting which could be used for Striders Cross Country Champs

August 2018

Committee meeting at Norton Oakes Cricket Club 21 August

• Dave Beech via Roger Stevenson has given Nick Burns all copies available of Striders News for digitisation. However this is a bigger task than anticipated and a decision needs to be made as to whether only a few specimen copies should be digitised for the archives.
• From 5 November, application for London Marathon places can be made
• Difficulties encountered with SIEntries membership system. Decisions pending!
• All 3 Cross Country Champs to be held in Yorkshire. Try to encourage a decent turnout from the club.
• Thought it would be beneficial to have a Cross Country taster session on a Saturday morning in Graves Park
• Male and Female teams will be entered in Northern Road Relays at Manchester. Email to go out asking for expressions of interest.
• Discussion at next Committee meeting whether increase in subscriptions should be on agenda for 2019 AGM in view of Northern Athletics affiliation and costs of outsourcing of payment of membership subs
• Issues re: Heeley training night – Andy Buck met with 15 run leaders and has put together a proposal which he would like implemented by 1 October
• Nick Burns to obtain hi-viz garments
• A suggestion that all runners should carry ID
• Size of groups considered, maximum of 15
• Social matters
  • Tipsy Striders Orienteering event, Thursday 20 September at Hallamshire Squash club
  • Monthly socials after training: Richard Pegg to organise from Heeley and Liam Russell from Hillsborough
  • Board games night Thursday 4 October at Fagan’s pub
  • Springvale Spirals from Blake Hotel
  • Striders Christmas party 6 December at Yellow Arch Studios
• Percy Pud organisation discussed
  • Action to prevent use of field as a toilet
  • Entry numbers increased to 3000
  • Entry fee for club runners £20, unattached £22
  • Potential incentive to encourage elite male runners
• Agreed to affiliate to Northern Athletics for the year 2018/19 and review thereafter
• Andy Buck to speak with NA to find out how to progress the situation

September 2018

Committee meeting at Norton Oakes Cricket Club 25 September

• Nick Burns has 200 copies of Striders News to digitise
• 153 clubs have committed to affiliating to Northern Athletics. Andy Buck to attend AGM in Manchester.
• Application for guaranteed entries to London Marathon is in progress
• 2019 AGM date fixed for 24 January. Nether Edge Bowling Club to be booked.
• Nick Burns to organise trophies and vouchers
• Noted there had been insufficient monitoring of the Road Race Championship, Louis Wood to take over
• Very healthy state of finances! Decision should be made as to whether subs should be increased in view of increased costs, i.e. affiliation to NA and online membership.
• Donation of £1500 to be made to Edale Mountain Rescue for cover at Salt Cellar Fell Race. Photo of presentation to EMR to be arranged and placed on website.
• Photo of presentation to Eastern Moors Partnership to be also placed on website
• Stewart Robinson, Membership Secretary, would like to concentrate on new members through SIEntries before including renewals
• 40 non-renewals have been put on the lapsed members section of EA membership page
• Coaches section on EA membership page also to be updated
• Mens team in NA 6 stage relay were 59th out of 128. No female team competed.
• Andy Buck sorting teams for Fell Relays on 20 October
• Sam Keen taking LIRF course in October
• Vicky Hawkins taking over from Nancy Stuart in organising 5 to 10k course
• 235 entries received for Salt Cellar. 1st male was Tom Saville from Dark Peak. Caroline Brock from Striders was 1st lady.
• 20 teams competed in Sheffield Way Relay. 1st male team was Dark Peak, 1st ladies team was Striders.
  • 9 runners completed the Ultra, won by Chris Bannister and Nick Booker in 7 hrs 54 mins, taking 40 minutes off previous record. Margo Duncan was 1st lady in 8hrs 55 mins.
  • A new race director to replace John Crossland required. Document required containing all event information.
  • 2019 date provisionally arranged for 15 September
• Presentation to be made at AGM to John Crossland for 15 years work as Race Director
• 65 places allocated to Striders for S Yorks Cross Country Champs
• Cross Country taster sessions to be arranged
• Weather ruined Tipsy Strider session, but enjoyed anyhow
• Attendance at monthly social at Broadfield pub was poor, good gathering at Hillsborough
• Springvale Spirals to restart after summer break
• Board games night on 4 October
• Gas Lamp Challenge proposed for 1 November from Hallamshire Squash Club
• Christmas party booked, food and payment to be sorted
• Percy Pud organisation going well!
• Heeley training night organisation under discussion
• Nick Burns to canvas members re design of Hi-viz clothing

November 2018

Committee meeting at Norton Oakes Cricket Club 20 November

• Nick Burns to investigate the commercial cost of digitising and indexing
• Heeley training night: rotas organised for run leaders. More run leaders required. Maximum of 20 runners per group
• Runners capabilities for specific groups in guidelines
• Personalised hi-viz tabards for run leaders ready for collection
• SIEntries system ready to go live for new members
• Members to be informed of new system
• Dedicated email address for Membership Secretary instead of using his personal address
• Andy Buck to meet with Sheffield Hospital Charity to ascertain if there is anything we can collaborate on
• Run leaders will have to complete an online course prior to DBS being renewed despite not having any Junior Members. It was noted there would be an additional cost.
• Andy Davies proposed a new format for the Road Race Champs which he believes will improve inclusivity. The proposal is for a large format. Expressions of interest will be sought.
• Proposed indoor track event at EIS may not happen due shortage of dates
• Andy Buck presented a report of the Northern Athletics AGM
• 4 guaranteed places for London Marathon went to Fionuala Creagh, Richard Carter, Michelle Vermuelen and Catherine McKeown. Reserve places if required for Andy Telford, James Hogg, Adam McAuley and Sarah Bates.
• 2019 AGM date and venue booked
• Nancy Stuart standing down from committee. No comments yet from Luigi Cazzato and James Hunter.
• Healthy balance in accounts. £2700 available from 2017 Percy Pud for charitable donations.
• Following suggested to receive donations: Castle Park Run, Police Benevolent Fund, Disabled Swimming Club and Couch to 5k
• Better publicity required for charitable donations with a suggestion for another section on the club website to include photos and text
• Ongoing and planned are monthly socials, Springvale Spirals, Board games night, Gas lamp challenge and Xmas party
• Cross Country Relays went well. Club performing well in SYCC. To collect members’ names for Yorks, Northern and National events.
• Percy Pud
  • The event in December will have the strongest field of elite runners
  • Marshal numbers sufficient, 3000 runners entered, 6 starting positions according to predicted time
  • 45 portaloos ordered together with larger marquee, tables, cabin to store items, barriers and 2 vans
  • Father Christmas in lead car supplied by John Holland Prestige Cars
  • Puddings, custard, water, paper cups, hats and marshals’ bibs (due to high cost these need to be handed back) have been delivered
• Louis Wood and Nick Burns to organise AGM prizes. Nick Burns to contact Jorge Bronze re: winners of Road Race Champs. Ashleigh Barron to design certificates for breaking club records and a certificate for Dot Kesterton in becoming British Champion.

Club records in 2018

• Jennifer Rich, Senior Women, ran 20 miles in 2:14:42 at Knighton

• Mick Wall, Veteran, ran 100m in 12:02 at Cleckheaton

Catch your breath a while!

Nothing stays the same, time moves on and the club involves itself with all manner of issues.

DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checks arise. Health and safety demands such as increased number of race marshals and risk assessments. LiRF (Leadership in Running Fitness) courses are taken by members. Chip-based race timing has overtaken pen, paper and stop watches. Where would members be without Facebook and Twitter? Members keen to become qualified coaches. Strava (internet service for tracking physical exercise) has opened a new field of interest. The club must take into account the rules surrounding GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation). Members become involved with the organisation of the up-and-coming Junior Parkruns.

When I first started running with Striders, I just turned up at a session. No hi-viz when it was dark, no ID and without a piece of technology on my arm. There was no Facebook with which to arrange whatever with other runners and no Twitter apart from the birds singing as I ran through Ecclesall Woods. Qualified coaches we didn’t have, I sometimes read Runners World for a bit of advice. Strava didn’t exist and GDPR and LiRF were just letters in the alphabet. The club committee consisted of a chair person, secretary and treasurer. Is life better now as a runner than it was 40 years ago?

Right, caught your breath, so away we go again!

January 2019

First committee meeting of 2019 at Norton Oakes Cricket Club, 15 January

• Organisation of the Monday evening training night at Heeley said to be not yet consistent. Run leaders to be consulted.
• Tom Halloway expressed a late interest in joining the committee. He will be co-opted at the first meeting.
• Louis Wood has drafted the Annual Report
• The new SIEntries system working well, but more than half the membership have to register
• Renewal reminders to be sent out and also to cancel standing orders
• Richard Pegg reported that 48 members took part in the Yorkshire Cross Country event. Ladies team in 10th position, mens team in 15th.
• Volunteers to be provided for the Northern Cross Country event
• Coach paid for by the club to the National Cross Country event
• Yorkshire Vets Cross Country Association have asked clubs to volunteer to host their annual event. Striders may host the event in 2020.
• Rachel Anderson asked for a place on an LiRF course to enable her to run a Couch to 5K course
• Luigi Cazzato to be thanked by Andy Buck at the AGM for his work on the committee
• Nick Burns to ask Andy Green about him taking over as Race Director for the Sheffield Way Relay
• 128 guests at the club Xmas party which made a loss of £635. Club should have charged £5 more for tickets
• Cross Country Relays went well. In the South Yorks Cross Country the club was well placed and we look good to avoid relegation. Ladies team 3rd place in South Yorks champs. Yorks Cross Country went well.
• 2018 Percy Pud:
  • Largest number of finishers. Ineffective first aid cover by St John Ambulance.
  • Donations totalling £6500 will be made
  • Part of the £1000 donation to the Children’s Hospital will hopefully buy us a Christmas light on the side of the hospital

February 2019

Committee meeting at Norton Oakes Cricket Club, 12 February

• • Norma Parkes has contacted the YVAA (Yorkshire Vets Athletic Association) to discuss our club hosting their championship event in 2020. YVVAA to contact Richard Pegg.
  • The 2019 committee consisted of:
    • Chair: Andy Buck
    • Secretary: Norma Parkes
    • Membership Secretary: Stewart Robinson
    • Treasurer: Adrian Moss
    • Vice Chair: Nicky Nield
    • Training, coaching and venues: 3 members undertaking this role Mick Wall, Sally Winslow and James Norton
    • Percy Pud: Richard Dunk together with a sub group comprising of Alan Barnett, Luigi Cazzato, Pete Wakefield and Barry Gyte
    • Social: Richard Pegg
    • Competition: Richard Pegg, SYXC league; Tim Holt, Northern Road Relays with John Kilcoyne; John Kilcoyne, Dam Flask Relays
    • Communication – Louis Wood
    • Events – Nick Burns. This is a liaison role with organisers of club events: Club 10k, John Kilcoyne; Dronfield Relay, Joe Buckman, Simon Bayliss and Rosa Geroski; Round Sheffield Relay and Ultra, Andy Green to take over from John Crossland; Salt Cellar, Dean Young and Steve Hargreaves.
  • Event organisers to create a ‘Race Manual’ to assist in future organisation or in the event of problems
  • Succession planning: Nick Burns to shadow Stewart Robinson. Nicky Nield shadowing Norma Parkes. Adrian Moss, Treasurer, to contact Michael Richardson.
  • Adrian required to complete a set of notes re: work of Treasurer

• Reading the above it becomes more than clear what a professional set up we have.

• Issues re: Heeley training night. List of run leaders to be created. No limit on number of runners attending. No more than 20 runners in each group with 2 leaders. Leaders should have attended LiRF courses. Run leaders who have not attended LiRF courses should be briefed on how to assist. No staggered start times. Following distances offered: 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and occasionally 10 miles.
• Code of conduct. Committee agreed to adopt. New members to receive a copy and all members to receive a copy. Complaints procedure to be drafted. Three members have been identified to take on role of investigating incursions of the code and inappropriate behaviour
• Luigi Cazzato has handed over keys of Steve Ludlow’s workshop to Nick Burns
• Cross Country Relays went well
• In the South Yorkshire Cross Country we were well placed. 
• In the championship event our Ladies team were 3rd
• Yorkshire Champs event went well
• Northerns were successful, we received praise for volunteering
• South Yorkshire 5 mile league: Keith Binney not happy about people’s involvement. Has complained about clubs not attending meetings.
• Percy Pud. All donations made. One of the large stars on the Children’s Hospital will be sponsored by the race. Some charities want more involvement but it is important that Percy Pud remains independent.
• Digitisation of Striders News deferred
• Complaint received re: ballot for guaranteed London Marathon places

March 2019

Committee meeting at Norton Oakes Cricket club, 19 March

• Four taster track sessions have been organised at Chaucer school to be taken by Dave Palmer
• Club to hold track event at Woodbourn Stadium on 14 July
• Possible inter-club track event at Woodbourn
• Trail series including various local events with proceeds going to charity
• Conduct procedure and potential committee appointments to be made.
• Club will offer to host 2020 Yorkshire Vets Cross Country. Richard Pegg to follow up.
• Membership now stands at approx. 800
• Louis Wood trying to update website. Changes to site are authorised by Mick Wall.
• Dot Kesterton broke her own 10k record. Sian Evans broke the Senior Women’s Half Marathon record. 
• Nick Booker suggested there should be a record for 100k. It was agreed that only distances recognised would be under IAAF rules.
• Tim Holt recognised for his work in organising teams for road relays
• 44 participants for 5 to 10k courses which are now full. We have adequate coaches and run leaders.
• Approximately 12 people have registered an interest in the How to Lead course
• Funding agreed to allow 2 members to attend courses to enable them to assist visually impaired runners
• James Hunter reported that a pool of run leaders was being established
• Nick Burns reported that dates had been finalised for the club 10k, Dronfield Relay and the Sheffield Way Relay which will be taken over by Andy Green. John Crossland will remain as a volunteer for the event.
• Nick Burns to contact Dean Young re: Salt Cellar fell race and to also check with Steve Ludlow the contents of his lock up
• Mick Wall to organise a survey of female and over-70 male runners in the Yorkshire Vets Cross Country
• Nick Burns has been approached by Ben Heller re: the club contributing towards a new Parkrun location at Millhouses Park. Agreed that the club would contribute up to £2K and offer help.

April 2019

Committee meeting at Norton Oakes Cricket Club, 30 April

• A proposal by Tom Nutgens to reduce the environmental impact of running events, i.e. reducing use of plastic and the impact of travel
• Four members have agreed to be a point of contact for potential complaints
• Three to four club members part of the core team for the new Parkrun at Millhouses
• Agreed that all committee members should have certain access rights to the SIEntries database, but will be asked to sign a confidentiality agreement
• Pete Brown has suggested that the club should purchase equipment to form a finishing funnel. This would be sourced and purchased.
• Northern Athletics has asked for suggestions for a survey to go out to all affiliated clubs
• Help required to organise a women’s team for the Dam Flask Relays, the organisers of which proposed to restrict the number of teams that can be entered
• A need reiterated to create a list of equipment owned by the club and available for events
• Decided that digitization of Striders News should go ahead. Dave Beech to contact Club Archivist Roger Stevenson.
• 543 members registered at a cost of £8145
  • Standard e-mail regarding non renewal ready to go out
  • Minor problems with some members not cancelling standing orders
  • Club records of individual members have been updated
• Tim Holt to be thanked for excellent job in organising various relays
• Information to be followed up re: the Yorkshire Vets Cross Country
• Run leaders names for Hlllsborough to be updated in line with Heeley group names
• Photos to be taken for website to show inclusivity
• Sight awareness and deafness under consideration
• Latest 5 to 10k course is near completion
• Fell running course currently taking place
• Dronfield Relay is being organised
• Round Sheffield Relay and Ultra now being organised by Andy Green. Date of race confirmed. Nick Burns volunteered to organise Striders teams.
• Everything in place for Salt Cellar fell race
• Monthly socials ongoing
• Board games night postponed
• Awaiting best time for Gas Lamp Challenge
• Racketball and Summer Tipsy Strider to take place
• Yorkshire Cross Country went well
• Northerns were a success, praise received for our volunteers
• Nationals enjoyed, thanks to Nicola Galley for organising
• Yorkshire Vets at Hull a success
• Need for the club to host an event
• Licence applied for Percy Pud
• Discussion to take forward on appointing someone to take lead on issues of inclusivity and widening number of members from under-represented groups

June 2019

Committee meeting at Norton Oakes Cricket Club 4 June 

• Recycling of materials from race events discussed
• Millhouses Park Run given a £2K grant from the Town Trust. Striders will contribute a maximum of £1K
• Problem with access to SIEntries
• Striders attended a Requiem Mass for Gerald de Vane, letter been sent to Gerald’s family. A donation of £90 in Gerald’s name has been made to Alzheimer Research.
• At late notice the club was offered 12 free places in the Vitality London 10k. 6 places were taken.
• Membership now 790
• Members to be informed about the Dam Flask Relays
• External clubs to be advised about the Sheffield Way Relay and Ultra
• A comment that unofficial swapping of race numbers is not allowed
• In the Masters Relays our women’s V65 team came 2nd and the women’s V55 team came 3rd
• Dot Kesterton qualified to run 10k for England and came 2nd in her age category
• Andy Davies has joined the team for the Salt Cellar event
• He has suggested the idea of a ‘Triple Crown’ for the winner of the club 10k, Salt Cellar and Wharncliffe Sider with Rosie
• 32 members have expressed an interest in with a total of 12 teams for Dronfield Relay
• £250 approved for the post-race buffet at the Queen Victoria pub
• Percy Pud. Will be end of March before everything finalised. Contact been made with authorities. Facility providers contacted. New requirement: two people (1 male and 1 female) to be responsible for lost children and vulnerable adults.
• Eilish McColgan’s home has been burgled. Striders to send her a necklace similar to the one stolen.
• Nick Burns to follow up a query from Carol Wolstenholme re: reduced price of membership
• Mentioned that on EA’s membership renewal correspondence are details of ID badges. Nick to investigate.
• Dave Beech and Roger Stevenson showed interest in taking forward the digitisation
• of Striders News.
• Nick to investigate cost, format and where the files would be stored

July 2019

Committee meeting at the Norton Oakes Cricket Club 16 July

• Discussion on matters re confidentiality i.e. SIEntries, emergency contact details
• Nick Burns to provide information on digitisation.
• Mick Wall reported that the club were trying to send more members on Northern Relay events. If competitors do not compete in the Northern Relays they cannot enter the Nationals.
• Stewart Robinson, membership secretary, has received a cheque from NA to reimburse any expenses incurred by our club hosting a NA event
• Environmental impact. Richard Dunk and others trying their best to make Percy Pud plastic free. Members encouraged to share transport and the club should try to provide transport to events for groups of members. Suggested that a group of members be encouraged to draw up guidelines re environmental issues.
• Andy Buck awaiting response from EA re: environmental policy
• Reported that 90 members had not acted on SIEntries procedure
• Pointed out that the club could be disqualified if non-members (not paid subs) take part in events
• Club should check race participation lists to make sure members who have not paid subs are not competing
• Club now has 800 members
• New procedure to be in place to ensure new members receive information via e-mail
• Discussion as to whether club should provide a cross country taster session
• Fell Race champs updated
• Louis Wood has updated some club records
• Louis to send out a list of records and ask if any member wishes to claim a record
• Reported that entries to races from members had been down
• Some results found to be inaccurate
• Club to pay for copying of materials required for run leading courses and for refreshment requirements
• Two members authorised to attend LiRF course to make up short fall at Heeley and Graves
• Discussion whether to encourage deaf runners to participate
• Arif Ali has set up a group of male Asian runners. Arif has discussed issues that impact on participation of of Muslims in running. Arif to be invited to exchange ideas about participation.
• Andy Buck has spoken to the Move More Coordinator at Voluntary Action Sheffield and he may wish to make a contribution with regard to participation
• Details of newly qualified run leaders to be placed on website
• Cost of food at the Ladybower Inn after the club 10k will be £1000. 187 entries currently for the 10k, more expected on the night. 138 requested food so far. 
• Difficulties with regard to catering, suitable venues etc. to be discussed
• A request for a 10-year-old to take part in the 10k has been refused
• Currently a problem with handover of equipment for club events because of fast turnover. Joe Buckman and Simon Wiles aware, Nick Burns to sort.
• Dean Young and Simon Wiles progressing well with arrangements for Salt Cellar fell race. Noted that the need for daylight during the Salt Cellar dictates the timing of the event. Date for next years event could be reviewed.
• Ideas for location of club Xmas party discussed as Yellow Arch Studios not available
• Richard Dunk confirmed everything OK for Percy Pud
• Nick Burns to to review all club equipment before cross country events
• An overriding view that most race organisers appreciate the participation of the club
• Louis Wood asked that the club should have a 5k road record. This was agreed but would not include a Parkrun time. 

September 2019

Committee meeting at the Norton Oakes Cricket Club 3 September 

• Andy Green with comments re: Round Sheffield Relay/Ultra
  • John Crossland to continue to help
  • Registration for event now online
  • Location of post-event buffet is Nether Edge Bowling Club, buffet paid for
  • Route obstructions reported and investigated
  • Trophies require returning
  • Still not enough volunteers for event organisation
  • Numbers supplied from Frontrunner
  • Five entered Ultra event
  • Ultra runners to insert ID on their numbers
• New Treasurer required ASAP. E-mail to all members asking for a volunteer to fill the post. Adrian Moss resigning after 7 years in post.
• A reminder re: unofficial number swapping. Post about this to be inserted on Facebook.
• Draft guidelines re environmental issues were approved
• 2020 AGM date confirmed
• Richard Pegg and Norma Parkes to attend SYCCA AGM at EIS in Sheffield
• Accounts and expenditure details accepted
• Independent examination of club accounts was accepted
• Questions re: SIEntries systems
• Extra 2 cross country taster sessions organised
• Significant number of volunteers required for 3 events. Richard Pegg to organise.
• Members to be charged £2 for not turning up for a race
• Sheffield Open Cross Country will be the club’s championship event 
• Two workshops took place on ‘how to lead a run’. 35 attended.
• Request for volunteers for Heeley has been made
• Club to pay for hi-viz tops for run leaders
• Two more members have taken the LiRF course and set up a Couch to 5k course
• Equality and diversity. Discussion pending with Arif Ali re: helping his new running group, Crescent Runners.
• Salt Cellar fell race to go ahead after a route change with help from the National Trust. Dean Young to discuss permissions needed and time scale.
• Social
  • Spirals continue each month
  • Social calendar needs re-energising
  • Tipsy Strider planned for November
  • Xmas party 22 December at the Showroom. 200 capacity. £15 per head.
• Percy Pud
  • Online entry tested and ready to go live
  • Posters printed and circulated
  • Champagne bought and trophies organised
  • Meeting of sub committee organised
  • Several elite runners to take part.
  • 130 marshals required plus other volunteers
  • Left over beanies to be offered to homeless charity
  • James to speak with Gleadless Valley Food Bank to check they would accept left over puddings.
• Agreed that in appreciation of Eileen Ludlow’s contribution to supplying club vests and to mark her significant birthday, a bouquet of flowers would be sent to her
• Andy Buck to contact Roger Stevenson to enquire re: his health

October 2019

Committee meeting at Norton Oakes Cricket Club 15 October

• Environmental guidelines not yet completed
• Two expressions of interest for the position of Treasurer. Joe Sinnott seems to be the ideal candidate. Joe will be co-opted onto the committee.
• Current account had a cash flow problem, resolved after the receipt of Percy Pud entry fees
• Expenditure is exceeding income, an increase in subs should be considered
• A financial plan should be drafted which would identify problems
• An increase in EA fees may lead to an increase in subscriptions
• SIEntries to be contacted and thanked for their service
• Club records broken: Lucy Broom 10k, Steph Street over-60s marathon at Chester.
• Louis Wood to draft Annual Report
• Mick Wall to select races for Road Race Championship
• Striders hosted the first cross country race of the SYCCA series in Norfolk Park
• Arif Ali to be invited to November meeting re: barriers perceived by Muslims
• Lucy Cowell to be coached/mentored, she wishes to introduce deaf people to running
• EA gender categories are unclear, issue will not be taken further
• Member objected to the tone of being told their hi-viz garment was not reflective enough. Could be turned away at future sessions.
• Members regularly attending training sessions without suitable garment will be asked to conform and if not to stop attending training
• Suicide prevention and mental health. MIND to be contacted to see whether they would be amenable to organising a course for interested members.
• Complaint re: members parking in the car park next to Heeley Baths. Members have been stopped from parking there.
• Sheffield Way Relay a success. Overall winners were Totley. Striders Ladies won their category. Five runners completed the Ultra, which included the first lady to compete.
• Commented that the Dronfield Relay does not require any equipment whereas some events do including the Sheffield Way Relay
• Monthly socials ongoing, i.e Spirals, Half-pint Marathon, Gas Lamp, Racketball
• Percy Pud
  • Online entry system went well, race fully booked
  • Volunteers still required: Matt Surgeon to take over from Barry Gyte who will be on holiday
  • Race entry fees paid into bank account
  • Puddings organised
  • Sheffield Star to insert two-page article
  • Race numbers available for collection
• Richard Dunk as race Adjudicator for the Agden against Alzheimers event considered the race unsafe as some of the route was on roads open to traffic. Member would like this race to be a Striders event. Richard Dunk commented that another event in the area would be unpopular with village residents and may lead to Percy Pud being stopped.
• Andy Davies to be invited to a committee meeting to discuss his trail race series
• Risk assessments need to be seen by the Chair/Vice Chair before Striders events next year

November 2019

Committee meeting at Norton Oakes Cricket Club 19 November

• Percy Pud
  • 3000 runners entered this year’s event
  • Packs and race numbers sent out
  • FR Systems to send out e mails with reminder of final details
  • Puddings, paper cups and hats have arrived
  • 127 marshals volunteered, 211 Striders have entered
  • Additional expense of £300 incurred to repair wall and gate
  • MKM to charge £300 to deliver 12 tons of sand to place on finish area
  • Cost of trophies has increased, but savings made by not giving out custard
  • Small number of gluten-free puddings purchased
  • Holland will be loaning a prestige car to be used as the lead car
  • Letters hand delivered to all residents
  • Van supplied by HRS Services
  • Richard Clamp to coordinate volunteers whilst Barry Gyte is away
  • Matt Surgeon also helping with volunteers
  • Roadside gullies to be cleaned and in the event of snow, the course will be gritted
• A list of proposed dates for next year’s events, that is club and SY Road League
• A maximum of 600 runners for each Road League event
• Andy Davies proposed two indoor winter inter club track events at the EIS. Cost of track is £572, runners will be charged £5 each. 
• Andy also proposed three track meetings in the summer. Additional cost of £150 for electronic timing. Striders will underwrite costs of all above if need arises.
• Andy reported success of Trail Series. Next year, 2 new events. Wharncliffe Side and More Hall Eden Reservoir. Other events in the series are proposed: Handsworth Hobble, Kimmy Kanter, Katy Bell’s Race and Agden Against Alzheimer. Norma Parkes asked if Ian Shepherd’s Hundall Hurdle could be included
• Andy also proposing two trail relays: Wyming Brook and Beeley Woods Christmas Relay
• 12 races have been chosen for the club Road Race Championship. 250 members took part in 2019.
• A single page Environment Guideline has been drafted
• Draw for guaranteed London Marathon places has been made. Al Dalton, Paul Middlemas, Shan Oxley and James Smith were successful with Nick Burns, Tony Bilsborough, Sam Keen and Luke Hilton in reserve.
• Adrian Moss and Ashleigh Barron will not be standing for the 2020 committee
• The new Treasurer Joe Sinnott has spoken with Adrian Moss and will produce a Financial Plan for the January meeting
• Volunteering at the SY Cross Country events went well. Our Seniors are top of the league.
• Dates for next year’s SYCAA events confirmed
• SYCAA has a new website going live
• A discussion re: what is branded a Striders event and what would be the liabilities
  • A Striders event would have to demonstrate a risk assessment and insurance in place
  • To investigate what other conditions may need to be met

2019 another successful and extremely busy year. The introduction of the SIEntries system has been a success, only minor problems. Percy Pud again lived up to expectations with a team of members led by Richard Dunk. The work undertaken by the committee was in a word outstanding. A Code of Conduct and a Complaints Procedure were introduced. The club had involvement in the set up of the Millhouses Parkrun. Membership reached almost 800. Considerations re: the impact on the environment of the club’s events.

A look back at the year with pride and satisfaction.

Ladies’ club records achieved in 2019

• Lucy Broom in the female veterans over-45 category ran 20 miles in 2:29:03 at East Hull

• Lucy Broom in the female veterans over-45 category ran the London Marathon in 3:14:12

• Dot Kesterton in the female veterans over-65 category ran 5k in 22:02 at Horwich and 10k in 45:02 at Blyth

Men’s club records achieved in 2019

• Barry Gyte in the male veterans over-65 category ran 10k in 44:01 at Cusworth

• Terry Armstrong in the male veterans over-70 category ran 10 miles in 1:34:38 at York

• Graham Goff in the male veterans over-70 category ran the Chester Marathon in 3:31:18

January 2020

Committee meeting at the Norton Oakes Cricket Club 15 January

• Discussion re: the requirement of a licence for all club events
• Membership survey reviewed, all comments summarised. Results to be shared with members. Committee to take issues forward
• Joe Sinnot produced a financial forecast for the year and a list of items for discussion
• Forecast indicated a loss of £11,000. Committee agreed this was unacceptable. Ways of breaking even discussed.
• Adrian Moss as retiring Treasurer was given a card and voucher
• AGM matters organised
• Dates fixed for club events
• Club to organise Yorkshire Vets Cross Country at Longley Park in Sheffield
• Percy Pud
  • New arrangement for finish area worked well
  • Donations totalling £6500 were made.

February 2020

Committee meeting at the Norton Oakes Cricket Club 25 February

• New committee members welcomed: Alan Barnett, Alex Green and Kate Scott
• Committee roles explained
• Draft budget presented
• Extensive discussions re: expenses incurred with Percy Pud. Entry fee to be increased by £1.
• Event organisers to be asked to present costs of staging club events
• Increase in cost of club subscriptions to be discussed
• Matters arising from Members survey: Facebook concerns, training sessions, volunteer roles, Committee openness, quality of club vests, inclusivity, social events, cost of awards and prizes
• Forthcoming events status: licence essential, risk assessment required, budget to be produced, check permissions needed, volunteer requirements
• Meeting decided not necessary to send a club representative to the YCAA AGM. Norma to send apologies.
• SYCAA 5 mile events: 69 applications for 60 places. Members to pay entry fee. Marshals required for Penistone event.
• In order to renew LiRF and CiRF members need to complete a safeguarding course, the cost of which the club will pay
• Members who are active in leading club runs will be clarified together with renewal date of their DBS
• Dates agreed for SYAA 5 mile events: 8 April at Lodge Moor, 22 April at Brodsworth, 13 May at Worsborough, 27 May at Penistone
• Striders were South Yorkshire Cross Country Champions
• Club will be hosts for the Yorkshire Vets Cross Country Championship in Longley Park on 8 March.
• All matters arising from Percy Pud will be finalised soon
• Budget and cheques discussed
• Terms and conditions to be drafted
• Nicky Nield enquired re: progress with digitisation of historic club documentation and a list of equipment. Nick Burns commented these were ongoing projects.

March 2020

Committee meeting on 24 of March 2020 was held virtually by Zoom. This was a result of the threat of COVID-19.

• Andy Buck opened the meeting and suggested four topics for discussion which had been identified from the members survey
• Budget. Joe Sinnot detained at work and therefore no update available.
• Vests
  • Current vest to be retained and branded as the classic design
  • An initial one-off vest to be offered, branded as a premium vest
  • Only the classic design to be supplied to new members
  • Premium design only available on an infrequent basis
  • 3 months before new vests arrive
  • Members to be updated re: vest situation.
• A private closed Facebook page needed
• An open Facebook page would still be useful
• Members would need to request membership of closed group
• Draft document and code of behaviour to be worked on
• Due to the Covid situation, Striders 10k, Round Dronfield and Salt Cellar will not take place. Sheffield Way Relay may take place.
• Possibility of online coaching being looked at.
• Stewart Robinson to pass on names of members who have attended LiRF and CiRF courses
• Louis Wood contacted as to whether chip or gun times are taken for club records
• Striders will be allocated two stars on the Sheffield Children’s Hospital building next Xmas

April 2020

Another committee meeting via the Zoom facility 28 April

• Considering the presence of Covid, Chairman Andy Buck first checked on the welfare of the committee members, just Stewart Robinson was absent
• Confirmed that the club would have two pages on Facebook, a page for members and one for the public
• Training sessions
  • Consensus of opinion was that there was no need to change structure of sessions.
  • No club member has come forward to lead a faster session.
  • Monday evening runs are considered to be recovery runs after weekend racing.
• A problem with the Tuesday evening session in Millhouses Park, i.e. no lighting! No adverse comments received so far.
• An offer to organise some taster sessions from Sally
• Shorter courses for members wanting to run sub-20 minutes for a Parkrun
• Volunteering discussion to be carried over to next meeting
• Inclusivity. James Norton working with Arif to suggest improvements
• Lucy Cowell involved with deaf runners’ events
• Committee openness. Andy Buck to e-mail members with a synopsis of meetings.
• Committee members to provide a brief biography and a photo to go on website committee page
• Budget. As Striders organised events are being cancelled due to Covid, currently there is no expenditure except to England Athletics
• Joe Sinnott has spoken with Secure Trust and the planned closing of the account will not go ahead. Plans to open a new account with the Coop Bank.
• Joe has been in contact with the club auditor James Fletcher re: paperwork requirements
• Richard Dunk has contacted all suppliers for Percy Pud, there will be no club expenditure until October/November
• Andy Buck commented that members would be contacted to ask if anyone was struggling financially due Covid, they should contact any member of the committee
• Andy Woffindin is organising a virtual event to raise food for food banks and homeless charities. Striders are supporting this initiative but not financially.
• Nicky Nield to read documents on EA website and then advise whether or not Striders need a Welfare Officer
• Decision made to cancel the SYAA 5-mile road league due to Covid

May 2020

Committee meeting via Zoom facility 26 May 

• Apologies from Stewart Robinson, Joe Sinnott and Louis Wood
• Andy Buck again checked on everyone’s wellbeing
• Discussion re: help with introducing Muslims to the club
• Suggested that the club send a representative to a meeting of the ZEST initiative at Upperthorpe
• There is a need for women-only initiatives, e.g. Couch to 5k, 5k to 10k, in an enclosed venue such as a park
• A proposal to visit all local mosques and community centres had not been possible
• Nicky Nield had provided a resume by e-mail of resources on EA website including their Welfaring Policy. She was of the opinion that this policy was not applicable to Striders as it mostly referred to children and vulnerable adults. She did however say that the policy should be adopted by Striders.
• The Club Confidential contacts would be asked if they were prepared to be renamed as Welfare Officers. However she was concerned all volunteers should be DBS checked and take a safeguarding course and this might put people off from volunteering.
• Mick Wall to contact Emma Hurst who is club support officer with EA and to get her to contact Nicky Nield so the extent of our involvement can be ascertained before Nicky does any work drafting relevant documents
• Volunteering. There are incentives to volunteer, but there should be no penalising if members did not.
• A discussion on how the role of volunteering could be more high profile raised the following
  • The welcome documents for new members should include more information on the need for volunteers
  • Members who complete the LiRF and ciRF courses should be reminded that as the club paid the cost of these courses, the qualifications should be used for club sessions
  • Insertion of a volunteering page on club website
• 77 premium vests ordered and paid for, the invoice from Scimitar has been paid and the vests are expected in the next few weeks
• 456 members approved for members-only Facebook page
• The online initiative Stride for Sheffield is going well. 6000 miles had been uploaded with routes plotted. Approx £2000 donated to local charities.
• Need to keep social distancing on training runs, to avoid narrow paths and use common courtesy with the public
• 747 paid up members, the 93 who have not yet renewed have been contacted. 60/70 have ignored the message and several have resigned. Members have been encouraged to renew via Direct Debit. Alan Barnett asked why members should be given 6 months to renew when other clubs gave 3 months. This will be discussed at the next meeting.
• It was pointed out that Striders may lose some members to a new club, Dronfield Running Club
• It was thought that there was information from EA that track sessions could go ahead but Mick Wall reported that EA had informed him that only one on one could go ahead
• Decision re: Sheffield Way Relay going ahead will be delayed until 1 August.
• Richard Dunk in touch with suppliers to check they are still in business
• He pointed out that there may be a problem with Portaloos in that they may need to be cleaned after each use
• Nicky Nield pointed out that the website contains names of run leaders and coaches who are no longer members of the club. LiRF’s and CiRF’s to be contacted for confirmation that they wish to continue and the website can be updated.
• Richard Dunk asked if books of routes could be compiled. It was confirmed that Hillsborough, Heeley and Graves have set routes.
• There had been a request for the club to support LiRFs with the cost of upgrading to Strava Prime for route planning. It was considered not necessary as there are several free apps that can be used for route planning.
• Mick Wall to list the alternative apps which will be passed on to run leaders.

June 2020

Committee meeting via Zoom facility 23 June 2020

• An ongoing task to complete a new members welcome document
• Louis Wood still awaiting photos and bios to update Committee Facebook page
• General consensus that the Striders 10k should not take place
  • Possibility that it could take place later in year
  • Virtual event suggested
  • To investigate if a race licence is required
• Andy Green has sent out an extensive e-mail outlining plans for Sheffield Way Relay
  • Re: insurance: if all invited clubs are EA affiliated no need for additional insurance
  • Affiliation of invited clubs to be checked
  • Totley AC have offered their club house as a changeover point, this accepted
  • Risk assessment re event to be investigated
  • Agreed to cover cost of digital timing
• Agreed to cancel the Salt Cellar fell race
• Nicky Nield has agreed to be Welfare Officer in line with EA’s position
• ‘Confidential People’ to be contacted to confirm they are willing to do additional training. Cost will be paid by the club.
• Further guidance from EA required before training sessions for road running resume
• Affiliation Fees to Northern Athletics for 2020 will not be charged. This is a saving to the club of £1600.
• 14 members still not responded re: payment of subscriptions
• Membership currently 801
• Percy Pud
  • As much preparation as possible has been done
  • May be September/October before decision made for event to go ahead
• Club members took part in a virtual Small Park Big Run
• Richard Dunk confirmed that groups of six could run together with social distancing.
• Striders V65 Women are the British virtual 5k National Champions

July 2020

Committee meeting via Zoom 28 July

• 7 apologies for non-attendance received.
• Audit of club accounts on hold at the moment
• New members welcome document to be discussed
• Louis Wood to update Committee Facebook page
• Richard Pegg has recced the club 10k course
  • Licence required
  • Possible dates for event: between 3 and 31 August
  • Budget of £500 agreed to cover cost of medals and vouchers
• Sheffield Way Relay. Concerns about access to the route and safety aspects. What prizes will be awarded ?
• Return to training sessions
  • Documents have been read re: restricted return to activity
  • A 3-step process
  • Need for different start locations and times
  • Venue Reps’ comments: long way off return to any sessions
  • A concern that EA guidance not fit for purpose for public road running type session
  • Run leaders and coaches not keen on leading at this present time
  • Group sizes are a burden to leaders
  • Concern re: leaders having to turn away members
  • A booked system could be a concern
  • Female leaders concerned at having to manage male groups
  • Could be limited capacity to deliver sessions each week
  • Concern over public perception of seeing groups of runners
• It was looked to see if a closed environment, such as Hillsborough Park, would be suitable for a training session. Decided impractical!
• Membership entitled to know the club are working on the question of training sessions
• Is the club clear on what we are and aren’t offering new members during Covid?
• Following on, Committee review and feedback required
• Booking system option to look at
• Possibility of getting people to volunteer for admin only
• Try informal test sessions either informal and unannounced or publicised
• Develop requirements and speak to run leaders
• Appointment of Covid Coordinator
• Committee view that normality was not going to happen in near future
• Concerns re: not having sufficient leaders for training runs, options for a booking system, the amount of admin involved, a communications strategy and appointment of a Covid Coordinator
• A booking system to be designed and tested
• Members to be informed that work is taking place albeit under considerable restrictions from EA
• Welfare. Nicky Nield pointed out that EA guidelines are not designed for road running clubs, but have to be taken into consideration for insurance to be valid.
• Extensive information in these minutes re: the EA’s Talk about race meeting on 14 of July attended by Nicky Nield. 
  • Some points: experiences of other clubs not heard because of large presence of EA officials and track athletes
  • Need for support for members of BAME community because of difficulties encountered
  • Strategies to be developed for improvement
  • Suggested that if a black runner is seen, invite them to join the club
  • Other initiatives to target black communities
  • Should Striders take further steps?
• Two Striders have agreed to become welfare officers and have been registered with EA
• Striders need a Covid officer!
• Below are considerations for the club
  • EA clear about a duty of care to club members
  • There are some issues to be discussed
  • A recruitment and retention process for club personnel is required including volunteers
  • We require a process for managing health and safety
  • Concentrate on risk assessments
  • Review procedure required for all policies
  • Club communication and feedback could be improved
  • Welfare and Health and Safety policies to be drafted complying with EA guidelines
  • Investigate what roles are available for volunteers and how to communicate these roles to members
• Richard Pegg reported that planning for the 2021 SYAA 5 mile Road League was under way

September 2020

Committee meeting via Zoom 8 September

• Joe Sinnott, club treasurer, tragically lost his daughter Cora. Donation of £500 from the 2019 charitable donations fund of Percy Pud in her memory to be made by the club
• Sheffield Way Relay will take place on 13 September
• Norma Parkes suggested some modifications for the new members welcome letter regarding opportunities for volunteering
• Return to training sessions
  • Discussion held on the way forward.
  • Run leaders happy with numbers in the small groups, although they would not be happy with unknown runners who may not adhere to guidance
• A recce by 14 runners of Clive Downing’s virtual marathon route had created distress for one of the participants, it was believed the run was not safe! Not an official club event although regarded as such.
• Nicky Nield has produced a number of documents re welfare arrangements in line with EA requirements. These had been circulated prior to meeting and approved.
• All club runners to be encouraged to carry personal information in case of emergency (ICE)
• All documents to be placed on website for members to view.
• Percy Pud
  • The 2020 event will not take place!
  • Possibility of a time trial. Participants will receive a Percy Pud face covering.
  • Richard Dunk to inform all elite runners who would have taken part in Percy Pud
  • Media to be contacted by Alan Barnett
  • The club is in a healthy financial position even though there will be a loss of income due cancellation of the event
• Nick Burns in conversation with Julie Armstrong of Big Ideas of Sheffield to become the club’s preferred supplier of kit with the exception of official vests and shirts. She will replace Kitlocker. The meeting agreed.
• Currently 805 members with a small number of resignations who have joined Dronfield Running Club
• Club 10k: 102 members took part. Richard Pegg to arrange vouchers for winners from MyRaceKit and organise medals.
• 22 teams have registered for the Round Sheffield Relay. Richard Pegg obtaining licence.
• Andy Buck to draft a letter to all members updating them on the Covid situation and circumstances with regards to returning to training. He will also inform them of the cancellation of Percy Pud. A reminder also of Covid guidance to be adhered to on social runs.

October 2020

Committee meeting on 13 October via Zoom

• Kate Scott circulated a draft document aimed at opportunities for members to volunteer
• Clive Downing’s Virtual London Marathon run was a success and previous problems were successfully resolved
• Nicky Nield now a fully qualified Welfare Officer
• Matt Rimmer has to complete the Time to Listen training
• Julie Waldron has to complete the online module Safeguarding Athletics and then the Time to Listen training
• The Welfare Officer will only deal with behaviour complaints and the role of the Welfare Officer will only be publicised to the minimum EA requirements
• James Norton and Julia Waldron are qualified Mental Health Ambassadors and may be able to take on this role within the club as the Welfare Officer will only deal with behaviour complaints
• Nicky Nield co-ordinating lists of Run Leaders from James Norton and Mick Wall
• Sheffield Way Relay successfully completed with runners praising Andy Green
• Alex Green confirmed as club Covid Officer
• Agree to maintain the current level of membership fees
• Andy Buck collected the 2019 financial documents and had a chat with Joe Sinnott at an acceptable social distance. Documents passed to James Fletcher who quickly produced the audit report.
• The date for the 2021 AGM was agreed, 21 January. To investigate whether this can take place via Zoom.
• Discussion as to whether, as the Chair’s tenure ends in January, a new Chair should be elected at the AGM. Andy has agreed to stay on for 12 months in view of the current circumstances.
• Sheffield Way Relay pages out of date on website. Andy Green wants to revamp all SWR pages. 
• Lucy Broome pointed out some club records need updating
• EA have not changed their guidance on Run Leaders which is holding back progress re: start of formal training sessions. James suggested a document be produced on ‘How to do a Covid safe run with friends’.
• Agreed that a winter version of the Dronfield Relay would be an idea, possibly in January. It would be Covid safe.
• Discussion on whether any Christmas activity could be organised, e.g. Christmas lights run
• Confirmed again by Richard Dunk that Percy Pud would not go ahead
• Alan Barnett commented that any virtual/substitute race would not be viable as road is too dangerous
• Discussion re: wording on the T-shirt which will be produced to raise funds for charity
• Nick Burns confirmed that club member Steve Haake had been awarded an OBE in Queens Birthday honours list for services to sport
• Alan Barnett asked whether we should be supporting local specialist shops rather than providing a monthly discount code for an online supplier. Mick Wall pointed out the popularity of this with members, but they had been asked to support local shops.
• Mick to check with two local shops, Up & Running and MyRaceKit North, if discounts were available to club members

November 2020

Committee meeting 10 November via Zoom

• Nicky Nield as Welfare Officer is trying to compile a list of qualified Run Leaders
• Matt Rimmer has completed the Time to Listen course
• Julia Waldron not yet completed online courses
• Kate Scott waiting to receive information from Richard Pegg in order to complete the Volunteering document that will be included in the package sent out to new members
• Audit report. Richard Dunk queried sections re: Percy Pud and Joe Sinnott will request James Norton to amend some of the wording.
• Discussed whether all members should see Audit report,but agreed not, although if any single member requested sight of it, it would be made available to them
• The Secure Trust account had been closed and the proceeds transferred to the Cooperative Bank
• In the current financial year expenditure has exceeded income, however club reserves have covered the shortfall
• Committee and event organisers to forecast expenditure for 2021
• Joe Sinott should have a draft budget for 2021 in February
• All the current committee to stand for re-election
• Richard Dunk to contact Eilish McColgan and Michael Rimmer to give a talk and a Q and A session. It was agreed to donate £250 to a charity of her choice.
• Andy Buck to contact committee members to try and identify someone for role of next Chair
• Hoped to have a shortened version of the 2021 Club championships
• Agreement that the framed vests awarded for club records were too expensive in view of the club’s financial position. A cheaper version to be sought.
• Guidance on running in a small group would not be valid
• Track of our Tiers Half Marathon to go ahead with a licence
• Members keen to organise Dronfield Relays
• As of 9 November, 218 Percy Pud T-shirts and 111 packs of face masks had been ordered. Local NHS charities now publicising the items.

December 2020

Committee meeting 8 December via Zoom

• Alan Barnett reported that to date 352 Percy Pud in Lockdown T-shirts had been sold and 121 pairs of masks, with £1265 raised so far
• Discussion as to why a group of Striders decided they needed to set up a new club, i.e. Hillsborough and Rivelin Running Club
  • This arose through a member directing complaints towards individuals and the club
  • The member decided not to take this situation further
  • A further discussion as to whether members of this new club could be 2nd claim with Stridersm which may depend on which disciplines HRRC affiliate to
  • The formation of HRRC was not seen as a big problem
• Could be May/June before training sessions can resume
• The club’s plans for 2021 are dependent upon government and England Athletics guidance
• All opinions relating to the current situation are valued
• James Norton had circulated a Return to Training Road Map consisting of 3 levels of training runs
• Provisional dates for Striders events in 2021 have been made
• Andy Buck had prepared and circulated a shortlist of possible candidates for the position of chair and will approach each one to gauge their interest
• An additional Welfare Officer, preferably female, is required
• James Norton reported that the club required a Mental Health Ambassador
• Alex Green reported that he could no longer act as Covid Coordinator due to work commitments
• Joe Sinnott has drafted the accounts and e-mailed them to the committee. There is a small surplus which can be used to resource the social side of club events.
• Club Secretary Norma Parkes can now send out formal documentation for the AGM, which will be by Zoom
• Eilish McColgan has agreed to give a talk and Q and A session
• The London Marathon will take place in October 2021. The club can apply for guaranteed places.
• Track of Our Tiers is still taking place and will finish on 20 December
• Richard Pegg commented that Spirals would take place taking into account Covid restrictions and guidance
• Percy Pud. 4 of the pacers have left the club. Matt Surgeon to be approached to organise the pacers.
• Richard Dunk wanted Alan Barnett to be acknowledged for his work in organising Percy Pud in Lockdown T-shirts and the masks
• It was confirmed that members who have resigned are taken off the SIEntries database
• Andy Buck thanked the committee for their support over the last difficult year 

An unforgettable year with Striders dealing with the effect of the Covid pandemic on running activities. Events had to be cancelled, amongst them the club’s highlight and major event, Percy Pud. Social distancing was emphasised with guidance from England Athletics when members were together in whatever situation. Committee meetings were virtual, nobody had heard of Zoom a few years ago. The club reached a membership of over 800 and this was at a time when a group of members broke away and formed a new club. Club life carried on under circumstances never known before and would do so in the coming year.

Ladies’ club records achieved in 2020

• Dot Kesterton in the female veterans over-65 category ran a half marathon in 1:43:39 at Essar

Men’s club records achieved in 2020

• Graham Goff in the male veterans over-70 category ran a half marathon in 1:39:06 at Essar

January 2021

Committee meeting 12 January via Zoom

Items discussed during Committee meetings via Zoom were obviously somewhat restricted!

• Q&A session with Eilish McColghan will have to be pre recorded as she is unable to return to UK because of Covid quarantine restrictions
• Informal training sessions taking place as formal sessions during the pandemic were not possible
• Andy Buck to speak to Rachel Rea re: her question on a return to training
• A polling function to obtain club members’ votes re: minutes and reports tested OK
• Andy Buck to make clear that the club has taken its responsibilities seriously during limitations imposed during the pandemic
• Stewart Robinson asked which clubs’ second-claim members had joined Striders
• Louis Wood has carried out work on the club website, removing run leaders who are no longer members, removing obsolete events and amending other pages
• Louis raised the fact that next year will see the 40th anniversary of the club!
• LiRFs to be recruited from various venues. Opportunities to train as LiRF will be highlighted.
• “Buddying scheme” has had some success recently
• Members are organising a series of virtual events with a different challenge every week
• Alan Barnett reported that the Percy Pud in Lockdown T-shirts and masks had made a profit of £1430, to which The Print Room donated an extra £100 to give a total of £1530 which will be distributed to local hospitals
• Stewart has produced a template for Risk Assessments
• Club not yet in a position to offer comprehensive training sessions. As the Covid situation improves, the club is confident that sessions will gradually return.
• Andy Buck to speak to the Chair of Hillsborough and Rivelin Running Club re: unfavourable comments about Striders on the HRRC Facebook page
• Committee meeting minutes by courtesy of Norma Parkes

February 2021

Committee meeting 9 February via Zoom

• Norma Parkes indicated the club would apply for guaranteed places in the London Marathon
• A virtual challenge against HRRC would take place 10 to 22 February
• Prior to Covid restrictions, 200 to 300 members were taking part in 15 different groups
• England Athletics guidance during Covid is maximum of 11 in a group, more leaders required
• Importance within the club to create shadow roles due ever increasing size of the club
• Budget details to be sent out prior to next meeting
• Names of charities benefiting from Percy Pud have been agreed, happy to discuss other causes
• Mick Wall assisting Louis Wood with the club website
• Membership to be e-mailed offering club roles to be involved with
• Advice that venues should have two reps and one behind the scenes
• Do current venues satisfy the members?
• Three Welfare Officers recommended although a comment that two is sufficient
• Reported that no concerns received by Welfare Officers
• Suggested that there should be two team captains. Caroline Brock and Ben Jones to be asked.
• Joe Sinnott to draft a finance reserve policy
• E-mails and Facebook are the club’s most popular methods of communication, but there is a reliance on members reading e-mails sent to them
• Suggested liaison with MIND re: Mental Health Champions/Ambassadors
• A question re: the letter sent out to new members: has the revamped letter been completed?
• Suggestion via Facebook that there should be a different membership fee for those who don’t enter races Agreed that no change to fees.
• Second-claim members currently have the same voting rights as first-claim ones, is this equitable? 
• Diversity
  • There are systematic difficulties in England Athletics and athletics generally
  • England Athletics has recently produced a revised version of its 2017 Diversity Action Plan
  • Alan Barnett suggested that wording required on club website to extend welcome to all regardless of race, gender, etc.
  • Noted there is a demand for family social events
• Lack of transparency re: which charities should benefit from Percy Pud
• Richard Dunk suggested that photos of committee members should be changed as appearances change with age

March 2021

Committee meeting 9 March via Zoom

• Government guidance available for led runs
• Club members coming forward to lead runs
• Mick Wall to provide technical support for Percy Pud entries
• Draft budget prepared, but no budget for social events which should break even!
• Large order of club vests unlikely
• Reason for sum of cash to be held in reserve would be to cover potential losses and legal advice
• Woodhead Mountain Rescue to be placed on list of recipients of donations
• Confirmed there are sufficient members to download the expected increase in race reports/results post Covid
• Richard Pegg to publish lockdown challenges. Striders 10k, Dronfield Relay and Parkrun starts to be publicised
• Good responses received for new roles in the club, e.g. Mental Health Ambassador
• 29 March predicted for start of group runs
• Committee agreed that formal run sessions can start to be advertised in April
• A booking in process likely to be introduced for runs. Demand is likely to outstrip availability.
• A 10-page risk assessment document circulated prior to meeting. Document to be reviewed by Committee.

April 2021

Committee meeting 13 April via Zoom

• Hillsborough and Rivelin Running Club happy that Striders are organising a Parkrun Cup with one of the venues being Hillsborough Park. However the Run Director at the park has asked for time to organise because of the likelihood of increased participants.
• New run leaders will have to complete the Safeguarding Course
• Decided that the club 10k will go ahead as there is little risk of Covid transmission outside
• Magdo Boo appointed as Covid Co-ordinator
• A series of runs with friends being advertised
• Striders have a policy of 20 members per session, 2 leaders required
• Risk assessments to be completed for each venue
• If more than six in a group, there has to be a Covid-secure environment.
• Some disagreement re: discount codes, i.e. some organisations don’t support local runners
• A decision of affiliating to Northern Athletics was postponed
• Matt Rimmer appointed as Welfare Officer

May 2021

Committee meeting 18 May via Zoom

• Contact made with Woodbourn Road Track for a list of costs. Planned event there would be limited to 3 hours and a donation of £1 per event from competitors.
• Norma Parkes progressing with organisation of London Marathon places for club members
• 50 members who have not renewed or resigned
• Not yet confirmed whether Salt Cellar Fell event will take place
• From 24 May, club will take next step to return to official sessions
• Disturbance to wildlife a factor in ceasing the hosting of The Trust 10
• David Bocking of Sheffield City Council would like to use Sheffield’s reputation as an oudoor city to launch this year a series of 10k trail races. Striders have been asked to set this up.
• A discussion on whether club records should be gun or chip times. All of the club records set from 2009 onwards (the year when Percy Pud moved to chip timing) will be amended to chip times, being verified against official race records, as per Alan Barnett’s e-mail. All of the Striders records prior to 2009 are gun time. Only when the gun time record is broken will the chip time for that record breaking run replace the gun time as the club record. It will then become a post-2009 record. Only the official Race Gun time or chip time can be accepted for club records.
• Louis Wood will amend website to clarify this point
• Dave Beech proposed digitisation of the club magazine, Striders News. Estimated cost of £1250 was agreed.

June 2021

Committee meeting 22 June via Zoom

• Insufficient interest in a track meeting, indoor event possible later in the year
• Outdoor track event proposed for 40th anniversary next year
• 5k loop identified at Whirlow for the first of the Sheffield Council’s 10k trail races
• Risk assessment to proceed for Dronfield Relay
• Difficulties encountered re: group organisation
• Andy Green asked if he could open up entry to the Sheffield Way Relay to other clubs
• Salt Cellar fell race to go ahead on 6 August. Volunteers are being asked to come forward.
• Spirals are going ahead every Friday
• Event to be organise around “The Bears of Sheffield”
• Suggestions sought for Christmas party venues presuming restrictions will have been lifted
• Percy Pud costs rising. Puddings ordered nearer date of event. Contact for Percy Pud road cones now works with Amey and it is hoped that cones can still be supplied.

Committee meetings not held in July or August

September 2021

Committee meeting 7 September via Zoom

• Agenda only retained but brief comments re: Laura Fletcher commenting that run leaders are moving forward with training nights
• Kate Scott and Richard Pegg in contact with Council re: Steel City Trail Ten
• Documents re: Code of Conduct, Safeguarding Adults, Welfare Policy and Risk Register are being circulated

October 2021

Committee meeting 12 October via Zoom

• New Committee members, Neil Schofield and Caroline Brock
• £1000 to be donated to Edale Mountain Rescue, £400 to the National Trust
• Stuart Jones to write story of the donation to Edale Mountain Rescus Team and submit to the editor of the Sheffield Star and the Derbyshire Times
• No volunteer as yet for Club Treasurer
• Stuart Jones agreed to be the club’s safeguarding lead after England Athletics Safeguarding Adults Policy and Procedures information received
• Striders Code of Conduct, Welfare Policy and Risk Register discussed
• Run leaders have requested personalised high-viz jackets at a cost of £156
• Retiring Committee members James Norton and John Kilcoyne to receive £50 vouchers
• After an extensive discussion re: Affiliation to Northern Athletics, it was pointed out that Striders is paying more in affiliation fees than many other clubs and the sum does not represent value for money. It was agreed to affiliate for next year. A suggestion was made that Striders should negotiate a cap of the amount paid!
• Zoom facility will be used for the 2022 AGM
• A week of events around the club’s anniversary in 2022 was approved. Striders 10k, Steel City Mile, Round Dronfield and an event on the day from Low Bradfield all culminating with a get together in Bradfield Village Hall for which the club will not be charged thanks to past donations from Percy Pud.
• Increase in subs to be discussed at November meeting
• Caroline Brock publicising a Ladies’ track meet to take place in November
• Club members organising venues named: Chris Smith at Heeley; Steph Street at Millhouses; Laura Fletcher at Hillsborough and Millhouses; Liam Russell at Hillsborough; Pete McCoy at Oughtibridge.
• Richard Dunk gave Percy Pud update, all systems go!
• Major problem last year with Percy Pud online entry. Richard Dunk absolved of responsibility.

November 2021

Committee meeting 16 November via Zoom

• With the exception of Joe Sinnott, all current committee members have agreed to stand for 2022
• Stewart Robinson to draft motion for the AGM regarding increase in subs, an increase that has to be justified
• It was agreed that renewal of first-claim membership will be £30, second-claim £17. New members joining in February £50. New members joining in October £65, for the rest of the financial year plus the following year
• Two new club records by Lucy Broom and Dot Kesterton.
• Ladies’ track night enjoyed by participants. Track running to be promoted.
• Nick Burns reported that team captains and teams have been organised for the Winter version of the Dronfield Relay
• Percy Pud organisation in full swing!
• Venue for Christmas party paid for
• Kate reported on the result of the meeting with the National Trust re: the Trail Race in Longshaw
• Nicky reported on the virtual meeting regarding inclusivity and diversity
• Membership to be asked for someone to volunteer as Ambassador for Inclusivity and Diversity
• Tim Holt’s proposals for road running, trail and fell championships were accepted but it was suggested that the leagues should be road running only. Stuart Jones to contact Tim Holt and invite him to join the committee.
• Inclusivity and Diversity to be added to next meeting’s agenda.
• Stuart Jones to draft Annual Report emphasising club records that have been broken

December 2021

Committee meeting 14 December via Zoom 

• Martyna Prorok had been in touch to take over the role of Treasurer and attended this meeting
• Percy Pud
  • Some bills still outstanding. Weather conditions for set up on Saturday were horrendous!
  • Start and finish banners taken down because of high wind
  • St John Ambulance members didn’t turn up for pre-race briefing
  • 17 marshals didn’t attend on race day
  • Police didn’t come
  • Extra barriers provided, no cars entered the course
  • Some runners ran with other people’s numbers.
  • Alan Barnett commented that radio and mobile reception on the course is difficult. Appointments to be made so there is someone in charge of each area. 
  • All marshals in future to be on course by 9:00 
  • Positive feedback on road closures
• The club has 673 members of which 612 are first claim
• Feedback from leaders of the 5 to 10k courses suggested that a small charge should be made to deter people from registering and not turning up to sessions. This has been a problem at Hillsborough and Millhouses.
• Kate reported that Sheffield City Council have agreed in principle to the Steel City Trail 10k.
• Diversity and Inclusivity. Running clubs to encourage people with disabilities. Diversity and Inclusivity now becoming an important topic. A Striders sub group should take this further.
• The ambassador for local running shops is Mick Wall who has been suggested to take over the Twitter account
• The three running shops in Sheffield to be asked to confirm monthly what is on offer

Ladies’ club records achieved in 2021

• Caroline Brock in the female veterans over-35 category ran the half marathon in 1:20:37 at Tatton, and the marathon in 2:55:13 at Boston (UK)

• Lucy Broom in the female veterans over-45 category ran 10 miles in 1:09:41 at Derby

• Dot Kesterton in the female veterans over-65 category ran 10 miles in 1:17:16 at Derby

Yet another pause in the history, but slowly and surely I am coming up to the present day.

Within this latest 4-year section, covering 2018 to 2021, we had an unprecedented period brought about by the presence of Covid. A very difficult time for the club and its members, especially the club committee who have dealt with the problems encountered in a more than admirable way.

Committee meetings between March 2020 and December 2021 were held by Zoom. What was Zoom a few years ago? Probably a description of a fast moving object!

Looking through committee minutes, I didn’t find any form of dissent expressed on how the club and its range of activities were organised and administered. There could have been unreported dissent, but I doubt it!

Members come and members go and of course some members stay forever!

As time passes, the administration of the club continues to develop in a professional manner, a manner quite remote from those early days.

There are too many club members’ names to mention, but some stand out. Excuse me, you may think of more worth mentioning. A member who recently held the club together, Stuart Jones, Chair of the club; of course Richard Dunk that 24/7 and 365 days of the year bloke with his involvement of the Percy Pud 10k; and not forgetting Alan Barnett, always more than helpful to Richard.

Becoming and being a Strider is a special part of a member’s life. Cherish those friends made, the training and social sessions and retain those many memories!

I can’t promise, but will endeavour to carry on writing the history of this very special organisation.