Dilham Boating Club
AGM Saturday 19th April 2025
Dilham Village Hall
Present: John Catchpole, Commodore
Sheila Taylor, Vice Commodore,
Mark Wilson, Treasurer,
Judith Plater, Secretary (Minutes)
Welcome by Commodore & Apologies
John welcomed everyone, approximately 20 members present.
Apologies from David Revill, Anthony Leachman, Carol Trueman and Carole Clarke. Carole
Clark also requested that thanks to be passed on to John and all the committee members for
their work on our behalf of Dilham Boating Club and for keeping us informed.
John reported that there had not been severe weather or flooding this autumn/winter
season.
Approval of 2024 AGM Minutes
John Bone requested a correction in the minutes of withholding of fees is incorrect. This
referred to withholding rent because of poor condition of mooring. Remainder of minutes
all approved.
Commodore’s Report
The club has continued to grow to a fairly large number of members, with new members
joining this year. Mooring owners are becoming less likely to join DBC. Interest in boating
and canoeing and the social aspects of DBC is greater amongst boat owners that are not
mooring owners, to the point that they were effectively contributing to the boating club
which directly benefits the mooring owners.
We will deal with mooring owners later, DMM – after the DBC AGM.
The Broads Authority has been fairly active, electric posts have been installed, new capping
at various venues. Paths fixed at various places across the Norfolk Broads.
Safety ladders, bridge guide height barriers have been installed and not much dredging has
occurred this year.
BA has been proactive in dealing with weed, including penny wort. They have helped within
the marina – which they are not really liable for.
Anne has also been regularly picking out weeds again this year, for which we are grateful.
Penny wort photos were distributed and all were asked to continue to be vigilant to pick out
wherever you can.
Jeff Coles (on the right after leaving the marina) has a large amount of penny wort. During
the warmer weather can increase by 2 inches a day.
Some DBC members and mooring owners have requested help from professional people to
clear the weeds. We did get a quote from a local dredging company for £2000-3,000 per
year for 2 visits for weed clearing. Lots of boat owners are getting too old to remove weed,
especially when it’s difficult to reach.
John said he is looking forward to enjoying some sunny weather and a few boat trips this
season.- Treasurer’s Report
Mark ran through the following income and expense position for the period 1st January to
31st December 2024.
Subs were down on last year, affected in part by the separation of DBC away from the
marina maintenance.
However, lots of new members have enquired about joining DBC.
Mark added that Merchandise stock, t shirts, caps new burgees, has a value of £288.50.
The club continued to subsidise several events for the benefit of members, the focus on fun
and socialising supported as was the agreed approach for the past two years.
Other items included the transfer of funds from cash to the bank account. DBC Still
subscribes to NSBA. Green books have been provided; they cost £2 each.
In line with the committee meeting the club will subsidise the BBQ for the year ahead to
encourage members to come.
Mark highlighted that since the split of DBC from the Marina maintenance John has
personally paid around £500 in expenses that he has been able to recover from mooring
owners. He explained that the majority of historic funds of DBC included contributions from
many mooring owners and those now responsible for mooring and Marina maintenance,
and that prior to the split DBC funded much of the maintenance work. Mark proposed that
the club reimbursed John as a final and one-off payment to the maintenance. All were in
favour of the proposal.
Mark asked if anyone had any questions on the accounts.
Andrew asked how many members? Last year 21 households. This year 8 so far, but others
have paid today but not yet counted up the total. (Currently 13 households post meeting).
The fees are £10 per household for 2025.
Mark asked for remaining subs to be paid by bank transfer as a preference and for
remaining fees to be paid by the end of April. Reminders would be sent during May and the
membership list for communications adjusted to reflect paying members at the end of
May.
We need to get better at meeting others, and introduce each other particularly to new
members. We plan to use Whatsapp more; members can contribute to messages, remind
about formal outings and informally invite friends who want to go out and want to enjoy
themselves for example BBQ on the mooring: invite anyone who wants to join us. (Please
send mark a text message with your mobile number if you wish to be added to the
WhatsApp group.)
We need to be more interactive through the season.
John Bone – suggested an email reminder to join and members list updated with new and
lapsed members, which has just been done with the Seamaster club.
Mark agreed current members will be prompted or reminded.
Bank details are to be included on email.
Caroline said a benefit of the club is to get to know some new people.
Mark will add current members to DBC Whatsapp group.
Don – reminded older members need to speak to new members.
Colin has encouraged people to join, in his role as membership secretary. Applications have
been made on DBC forms and transfer fees directly to club bank account. Costs in time and
effort are higher if member need reminders.
Of 15 boat club members – only 7 are mooring owners! Membership has only 8 mooring
owners.
Dredging – all mooring owners contributed to the cost of dredging. The reason why DBC has
split from DMM is because the DBC were paying for roadstone. Financial liability for
maintaining should be the mooring owners.
Mark – said there are 3 tiers of members: boat owners, mooring owners and those who are
not mooring owners nor boat owners in the marina – for example neighbours who live in
Dilham.
John C said an email with the DMM constitution and rules should be sent out so that all DBC
and DMM are clear.
Secretary’s Report
Judith reminded members to keep contact details updated.
Trevor asked who was the DBC group Whatsapp administrator? Mark has been adding new
members to Whatsapp.
Asked how many are in DBC whatsapp group? – currently 33 members.
Hugo asked – those who don’t have whatsapp. Who can help?
Colin offered to help check and make sure members can access whatsapp group.
Sandra asked how can DBC communications work if you don’t have a smart phone?
Mark replied – most people have smart phones.
John C explained that that some are papers (Kingfisher newsletter and other notes have
been delivered by hand. Some members have no internet access – For example Derek who
is 90 years old with very poor vision.
Jim Leachman maintains contact by phone.
Communication could be accommodated by post for a small minority?
Claire has helped David & Gisela with smartphone issues.
Some discussion occurred about the possibility of separate fees for postal members?
Mark asked how members would like to be contacted.
Hugo asked about different devices smart phone? Computer? Ipad?
Mark stated we are trying to have more get togethers.
John C said he is happy to deliver items by hand. One member uses their son / neighbour for
email. Printing out is ok, but a big advantage of Whatsapp is that it is more immediate.
Caroline asked for a hierarchy of communications. Focussed on boating etc.
John agreed to draft a hierarchy and forward in due course.
John said the Constitution needs to state speed limits in the mooring.
We need formal documents in place to be recognised as a club.
In the past, every year all members were asked to renew their membership on new member
forms.
It is hard to know if emails are delivered. Out of 52 moorings – approximately 75 emails
regularly sent? Approximately 28 members? Are we still sending stuff out. We need to hear,
perhaps through chatting with members to ensure which messages aren’t received.
For example, one member has changed his email four times.
Appointment of Examiner
Andrew Trueman agreed to check accounts. Sheila proposed, Mark seconded, all agreed.
Election of Officers and Committee
Commodore – John Catchpole
Difficult to stay on top of things – at some point I’ll need to give this up! People need to
come to meetings as they don’t know what’s going on. Need to train up someone else.
Proposed: Judith Plater
All in favour
Seconded: Sheila
Vice Commodore: Sheila Taylor
Proposed: Claire Wilson
Seconded: John Bone
All in favour
Treasurer – Mark Wilson
Proposed: Sheila Taylor
All in favour
Secretary – Judith Plater
Proposed: Claire Wilson
All in favour
Seconded: John Bone
Seconded: Carl
Membership Secretary – Colin Bailey – lives in the village.
Proposed: John C
Seconded: Mark Wilson
All in favour
Martin Gould – Events
Proposed: Colin Bailey
All in favour
Seconded: Mark Wilson
Committee members who have confirmed their willingness to continue as a
committee member for 2025.
Gary & Victoria Ross, Kirsty and Carl Dennett, Andrew & Carole Truman,
John Catchpole, Judith Plater, Mark & Clare Wilson, Roger & Sheila Taylor,
Colin Bailey, Trevor & Karen Blake, Sandra, Jon & Caroline Male.
Any Other Business
Sheila listed planned trips – all weather dependent
3-4 May – South Walsham
28 June BBQ any weather – will still go ahead!
Martin explained there will be no separate event this year.
BBQ day – will be the event this year with music in Dilham Village Hall.
Suggestion to Walk to the coast – which will probably be Eccles (approx. 6 miles).
Arrangements can be made for a pick up from Eccles back to Dilham.
4,5 & 6 July Ranworth
23-25 August bank holiday – Barton Regatta event
(Gary explained that lots of boats moor in the broad and drop a mud weight.
There’s a Band in Cox’s boatyard; Food (provided by the White Horse pub) – must
be ordered prior to the event. There is also a bar. John C – prob take Alfresco as a
base could also take Fidget.
14-15 Sept – Coltishall
13 December soup & rolls. Club paid £107 last year for Boat club members.
Broads Authority have proposed an amnesty for rotting boats amid wrecks crisis.
Sheila – BA have reported boats being sold with untrue ownership details, following
which, some boats have been sunk in the river Yare.
Roger’s boat, which sunk in the marina, John Bone assisted the lifting of it.
Some mooring owners who delayed paying for the dredging took a huge amount of
time. Land registry documents for the moorings cost £8 a time which wasn’t
included in the costs. 20 per cent of the silt came from the corner on the left 14a
14b side.
Tony Kirwan died dropped a card and condolences.
Richard Ford died dropped a card and condolences. Avril thanked the club for
this.
Meeting closed at 2:30pm.