Attendance: A Gibbs (Chair). J Haffner. D Orr. M Prince. J Kelly. M Lloyd. J Bradley, B Taylor(part).
Apologies: J Hardell, M Shaw.
Adoption of minutes:
Proposed: Mike. Tolley.
Seconded: Janet Kelly.
Actions Arising from last meeting / Maters arising from Previous minutes not covered elsewhere:
Item 7c Treasurers Report: Janet was to contact Julian to discuss removing him as the administrator. Not Done
Hosting of the website – Janet. Janet to liaise with Julian. Now complete
Item 9 Chairman asked the following: Who was collating the rally stats from the centres? David & Joy to get stats from centres
Janet was to investigate available digital training. There was No CAMC training
Are we sending minutes to Governance? Done. Joy is responsible
Janet was asked to locate the unused committee badges. To be brought
to the meeting in March. Janet
5. Reports:
a. Chair:
Apologies given to Jill re no thank you plaque at the AGM, which was pointed out to me. Andy
Apologies given to Mark and Martyn re their tenure on committee. Andy
Completed
Additional Thank you plaques ordered. These have been paid for, thank you Mike. Completed
Window plaques ordered. Hopefully these have now been paid for, again thank you Mike. Completed
Chairmans Chain Of Office has been updated to reflect the change from the Caravan Club to the Caravan and Motorhome Club without losing its originality. I felt this was very important as a past Regional Chairman had donated this to the club. I have subsequently seen Ian and he was really impressed with the update. I still need to add the last two chairman’s bars to the chain of office. Andy to send dimensions to committee members who would look for suitable vendors, reporting back with prices.
Committee Code of Practice investigated, written and proofread by an independent member who works on committees as his day job. This is a requirement of Governance and has been for a long time apparently. All to be sent with final draft.
Discussions re 2026 Division AGM with Joy and David. Awaiting agreement from CAMC, Venue confirmed, CAMC to be informed.
Various communications received:
E-mail from Governance re contacting people. Attached as annex
E-mail from Governance re Divisional Grant. Attached as annex
E-mail from Governance re updated minutes. Attached as annex
E-mail from Governance re new web site called Meets and Rallies. Attached as annex
E-mail from Governance re tourist tax. Attached as annex
E-mail from Governance re committee expense form. Attached as annex.
E-mail from Governance re updated minutes. Attached as annex
b. Administrators: Getting to grips with the admin required.
Attended meetings.
Created templates for agendas and minutes.
Collated reports.
Circulated documents as required.
Attended possible venue for AGM more under Agenda Item 7 AONB g
c. Treasurer:
Since the last meeting we have had expenses as follows;
AGM Venue & Catering. £675.00
AGM Plaques £ 60.35
Travel £ 147.70
Division Window Plaques £ 275.10
£1158.15
We have also received Qtr 3 VAT Return from HQ of £85.20 and I suspect our HQ grant of £800 although I can’t confirm that until the bank statement is received.
I have spoken to NatWest and they are furnishing me with full statements for 2025 and once received I will get the annual accounts to Kendall Wadley for audit in readiness for our 31st March deadline at HQ. Mike to update.
d. Digital Champion:
Request to submit 1 post per week to Janet for website. All.
e. Centre Rep Cheshire: Bill Taylor
No report at present.
f. Centre Rep Worcestershire: David Orr / Jo Bradley
Christmas Party cancelled as venue double booked, Noted
Winter social – Medieval banquet ay Warwick Castle 14th Feb
g. Member Rep: Mark Lloyd
No report at present
h. Member Rep: Martyn Prince
CAMC campaign to walk 120 million miles walking wanders entered & won November competition 2 pairs of walking boots.
Members having issues locating refill stations for underslung gas tanks on MH. Question at National AGM. Response from Club available online.
Members refilling cylinders without “oil filter” will damage appliances.
CAMC site managers lack of volunteers on sites.
Grants for Centres have changed.
Box centre membership end of year thankfully stable with slight increases in both Cheshire’s & Worcester’s.
Tried booking CL weekend before a BH only to find minimum charge is 5 nights. Janet replied that this is normal practice.
At Worcester’s/Warners show/rally whilst owners away from van assisted Nigel (Marshall) to contain & retrieve freestanding MH kitchen/awning from blowing away.
Following October service, caravan is being in for repair end of Jan, hopefully back ASAP but unable to book anything so unable to join Bills rally at Onnerley.
Following last years announcement the Divisions are being allowed to hold a rally a year Central Division are holding a “friendship rally” Inviting all their Centres end of June. Noted
i. Webmaster
Admin access to the web site organised – thank you Janet.
E-mail accounts updated to reflect the new people in post. I have also informed team members of their account details as required by Governance.
Committee images added – still outstanding one.
September committee meeting minutes added.
AGM info removed.
2026 AGM info added.
Info added about AGM on Home Page.
Region / Division history page added. Noted
Appointment of new club chief exec added to Home Page.
What’s On Page revamped.
j. Nominated Member: Jill Hardell
Whilst my report isn’t rally orientated it is member orientated and as a member of the Sites and Accommodation Committee, I can give some insight into the fabulous work and achievements the Operations team have achieved for the wider club membership in 2025.
New sites were redeveloped and Opened during the year. Sandringham (including new Experience Freedom Village) , Edinburgh, Bunree and Haycra. In addition a new Experience Freedom Village was added to Lady Margarets Park.
Some of these include new Safari Tents with ensuite facilities. Glamping in style! Ideal for families who can’t afford caravans or motorhomes but can still get a taste of camping /outdoor living.
Adult Only was trialled at Moorhampton near Hereford and has given this poorly performing site a boost in members staying and a new lease of life. Further sites will be added in 2026
Group Pitching was launched on Club sites allowing members to pitch next to friends and family with positive feedback.
Fast Check in was added to a further 13 sites avoiding the 1pm rush. I saw this in action at The Sandringham Estate between Xmas and New Year and whilst it doesn’t stop you talking to the site team if you want to, it does mean you can go straight to a pitch and get the kettle on that much quicker and respond to a
welcome text to let the team know your pitch number.
Excellent year for the Estates team in gaining planning permissions allowing commencement of build/refurbishment on sites including Bridport Bingham Grange, Ayr Cragie Gardens, Black Horse Farm and Abbey Wood. The team also disposed of some less profitable sites and renegotiated leases more favourably on others.
The operations team won Gold Awards on all assessed sites under the Green Tourism scheme which was a fantastic achievement .
On the Sustainability front , further success of the Metering trials at Wyats Covert and Steamer Quay where data gathered has shown an average of 40% saving on electricity. Water saving initiatives on trial sites generated a 30% saving on water usage which will be developed across more sites. The switch to
formaldehyde free chemicals and more environmentally friendly cleaning products has meant less chemical waste and impact on sites. This is belter not only for the environment but also staff handling. 19 locations are now trialling electric ride on mowers. 100’ of trees have been planted on sites as part of
the clubs partnership with Jangro and their Jangrow campaign.
There are just highlights but all of which contribute either directly or indirectly to member experience. Our customer feedback score was 9.4 out of 10 which given the size and diversity of sites was outstanding.
6. Correspondence
From Governance – Reminder 2026 Divisions Forum on Saturday, 31 January 2026 reply – Add emails from Governance to be added an appendix. Admin
7. AONB
Retrospectively ask for permission to order to additional end of year thank you plaques. Permission given
a. Apologies to Mark and Martyn re their committee positions, they never left, their term is for a 3 year period not 1 year like us. Completed
b. Discuss and sign Committee Code of Conduct – Committee agreed Code of Practice. Joy to print & organise signature sheet for March meeting.
c. Apologise to Jill Hardell re no thank you plaque. Completed
d. WCD rally to promote all the Divisions existing Centres & hopefully a
soft start for Shropshire’s Additional meeting to be held 9th Jan.
e. Social Media Discussion took place, all agreed too like and share DC’s posts.
f. Club have plans to hold events this year on some of their Club sites, hopefully reaching out to members who enjoy the social side of membership which with support may lead to more social event/rallies explanation request from Janet. Noted.
g. AGM 2026 Update
• The cost for a tour at Hartlebury Castle including Site fees, with use of a space for lunch and meeting would be £30 per head exclusive use, or £25 per head non-exclusive use including. a minimum attendee number of 25 people, or that the difference is made up to this amount.
o 16 people at a time x 2 = 32 two groups x 3 = 48 three groups
o No concessions for Historic Houses membership
o Saloon Room holds up to 60 – 40 able to eat
o The Hall can hold up to
o Layout as required.
o The previous time that we held a similar tour to yours, format was:
o Coffee on arrival or throughout the day
o AGM/Meeting (I believe you have 2 for your event?
o Tour/free browsing time
o Lunch
o Tour/free browsing time
o End
• There is flexibility within the above, and we can certainly chat about that a bit further to suit your requirements.
• The restriction that we have, is that the library can only take 16 people at a time. Therefore, if you reach the hoped for 40 people, we would need to provide time for 3 groups going into the library. Tours, which include the library & state rooms, last approximately 1.5hrs in total (45mins library, 45mins state rooms – groups of 15 on each, switching over).
Joy to book.
£25.00
Fri – Sun
Room Sat
• Catering HC are looking at previous quotes before giving food prices.
Provide your own catering cost of £100 for the use of the kitchen and crockery.
Question asked could we bring our own packed lunch – that way saving food waste. Noted
• Room for evening use £180 per hour
Equipment would have to be PAT Tested and we’d have to have our own PL Insurance. Noted
• There is a pub, The White Hart, next door to Hartlebury Castle
where we could book a table to eat in the evening. Noted.
• Toilets only open during opening hours from 11 to the public – could by prior arrangement be opened from 9:30ish. Temporary toilets not thought necessary
Noted
• Water a tap for water is in the Carriage Circle. Only open during opening hours 11 – 5 to the public. Noted
• Dogs are allowed into the grounds & through reception. Dogs are only allowed in the outdoor seating area of the café. Assistance dogs only are allowed in all buildings. Noted
8. AOB
CAMC Email set up with Andy stay on. Noted
Mike is apology for next meeting. Noted
Can folks that have reported please send in via email to administrator@westcentraldivision.co.uk. All.
Martyn Prince. TECHNICAL CCOMMITTEE –
Question from Martyn Prince re- Underslung LPG tanks MOHO/Campervan dealerships are still manufacturing new vans with space-saving underslung LPG tanks. With the rapid decline of accessible public pumps in the UK, has the Club raised this issue with the manufacturing councils, as many vans have no internal space for bottled gas?
Response from the Club’s Technical Manager
Models with fixed tanks are very much a minority in the market. While many alternatives are readily available, this can still cause a concern for those who really want a specific model, which happens to be available only with a fixed tank. It’s also an issue for those who bought such models some years ago, when the provision of filling facilities was more widespread. We did raise this issue with the industry trade body, the National Caravan Council, back in August, but their view was that fixed tanks remain a viable offering in the UK market for the time being. Ultimately, though, the demand for such vehicles will determine their continued new availability – it’s prospective owners (i.e. very largely Club members) who control this, not the Club itself.
As far as the filling network is concerned, there’s no doubt that filling station forecourt-based facilities are in decline, reflecting both the reduction in use of LPG-powered cars in the UK and the increase in demand for EV charging at the same locations. As of July 2025, there were still around 450 Autogas filling outlets specifically aimed at vehicles, but this has declined from ~2000 5 years ago. (This compares to 8300+ petrol/diesel outlets, a figure that seems fairly stable for the time being at least).
However, the total number of UK LPG filling outlets is around 1800, which includes a lot of leisure vehicle dealers and such like. A number of these also offer access for fixed tank filling in addition to cylinder filling, such as some of the Marquis Leisure branches. So for now, use of LPG fixed tanks remains a viable option, with some challenges, but realistically will become increasingly difficult in years to come, as filling outlet numbers continue to decline. It would probably be technically possible to convert many existing models to gas cylinder or other
alternative power options (such as diesel heating), but this would certainly not be cheap or straight forward to do, while such work should only ever be done by suitably-qualified professionals. Noted
9. Date & time of next meeting: 28th March 2026 10:00am
10. Onneley Cricket Club
Signed: Dated: 28 March 2026
Chairman: A Gibbs
