Public or private blog??

We wanted to find out if you are all comfortable with the whole wide world seeing this blog or whether you wanted to have it restricted so that only we can see it...

• If we make it so only we see the contents then you need to remember your login details everytime.
• If we keep it so anyone can see the blog then we probably need to be more careful about personal information we post such as addresses etc.

If you have any comments about this can you post a comment on here and we will monitor the consensus. Thanks.

Jain

Meeting minutes - 15th Sept 2008

Attended: JB, JH, CB, LS
Apologies: SH, LH

Treetops Hospice fundraiser
Before Pam died, she wanted to raise £1000 for Treetops Hospice. Liz H and Sandra felt moved to help this appeal and set about doing a 3-day ride. Liz H and Sandra were not able to come to the meeting because they were still out on the North Yorkshire moors finishing off the 41 mile sponsored ride they had organised. We all said it was a great event and that it would be good to repeat it again some time. We have had some fabulous news as well - we have been lucky enough to secure a very large donation to this cause and that is on top of raising £500 through the Justgiving website http://www.justgiving.co.uk/rustyandgina . If anyone still wants to donate then visit the website and start giving... I don't know the final figure, but we'll update the blog soon and let everyone know.

Pounder and Dobbs Lane
Liz S has secured £2,500 to mend the dry stone walls on this Bridleway. She will very kindly be completing all the paperwork associated with it and organising for wallers to carry out the work. Liz will also investigate the purchase of 2 new gates on Dobbs Lane, the one at the very top (held on by just some bayler twine) and the one just before the open field (as you ride from the bottom to the top). We are hoping that the very top gate that has fabulous views will be the memorial gate for Pam. We discussed having a message carved in it rather than a plaque that could come loose and fall off. We will keep in touch with David about this. Comment on the blog if you have anything to say.

BR Summer Events
The Carnival Ride went well and we agreed to repeat this next year. The 1-day horse show was also a great success and a good fundraiser for the group. Thanks to everyone who was so busy organising these. We would like to repeat this again next year with the permission of the landowners. Following the horse show that same evening, we had a family feast of yummy food. Thanks to everyone who brought food and thanks to Sandra for being the hostess with the mostess.

Future BR Events
The following potential events were discussed:
1 group ride per quarter:

• Carnival ride route
• Elton Cafe round ride (when the cafe is open)
• High Peak Trail ride
• Wensley ride

We need to get volunteers to organise each ride, email members and ensure that BHS are informed. Please can you see if you could offer to help and comment on the blog if possible.

Mini Le Trec event.
Some evening talks.
A horsey holiday next year.

Friday December 12th Bonsall Riders Christmas Do at The Barleymow pub in Bonsall. Liz S is organising this so please give your names to her. Thanks.

Other Future Events
South Wingfied Riding group have a talk in November that is free to attend. Caroline will send details of this through soon.

Monty Roberts has an event locally:Mon 27 Oct Arena UKAllington, Grantham, Lincolnshire NG32 2EFTues 28 Oct Rodbaston College Penkridge, Staffordshire ST19 5PH

HOYS is 8th-12th October at Birmingham's NEC

Your Horse Live is on November 7th, 8th & 9th 2008

Secretary Post
We discussed the need to have a secretary so that the decision-making for the group is not held with too few people. We will muddle on for now but we are asking if anyone has some time to be the group's secretary we would be very pleased to hear from you.

Next Meeting: Tuesday December 2nd at 7.30 p.m. at The Kings Head.

Jain H Chairperson