CTC East Midlands Region

Annual Report 2008

From January 2001 the CTC "Divisions" of the National Council were re-aligned with

government regions - bringing together Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire,

Northamptonshire, Nottinghamshire and Rutland - "The CTC East Midlands Region"

- Division E.

We appear to be the only English Region to hold regular committee meetings and

organise regional events whilst other regions are represented on the national council

by their elected councillor(s).

Our National Councillor, John Cutler, has been a vital part of our meetings as of

course have been the DA secretaries (member groups), despite all their efforts they

have somehow found the time to be an integral part of our regional team - sadly the

exception to this during 2008 has been Lincolnshire with no representative present.

Committee meetings have all been held at the Brunswick in Derby with many issues

on the agenda of importance to us all, including Campaigning and of course the

Member Groups Policy Handbook - coming together to discuss these issues has been

of great benefit.

During the year we joined as a member of the Campaign to Protect Rural England -

due to the possibility of several Ecotowns taking up vast areas of magnificent

countryside in the region.

The CTC East Midlands Region "Volunteer Group of the Year" for 2007 was the "In

Tandem Group" of Loughborough for their efforts in getting disabled people awheel.

Our secretary Ray Clay collected the award on their behalf at the CTC national dinner

in Belfast earlier this year.

Our events have again been successftrl with Ray Clay organising the rally at

Beaumanor Hall in May and Ian Hill the 200K Audax/uk "Forests of the Region" in

September. Both of these events have had the same organisers for the sixth

successive year!

A few years ago the region put up the deposit for a "'Rent a Hostel" weekend using

Thurlby Youth Hostel and this again was held this year, organised by Jonathan Challis

and Jeff Burton in September.

Our National Councillor John Cutler has kept us up to date with national CTC council

matters. He is a member of the council committee responsible for campaigring

issues.

Another county CTC secretary, Terry Scott, has maintained and updated our web site.

Jean and Keith Lakin have represented us at National Forest meetings and given

tremendous assistance to organisers of events.

Once again I emphasise that our offrcials "wear many other hats" for the CTC and

there must be a limit to what can be achieved when such dedicated members have so

many other commitments. Having said that I believe the whole 'team' has found it

beneficial to get together for the common good - a very sincere thank you for all their

efforts.

Finally, this year (2009) the CTC "Birthday Rides" will be held in the region from

August 8th to the l5th, based in Oundle and co-ordinated by Max Scott (yet another

"DA" secretary!), as always a vast amount of help will be required.

John Allen

Chairman