metApril04

HFCYCLISTS MEETING,
MONDAY 19 April 2004, 7.30pm in the Info Centre

PRESENT: John Griffiths, Louanne Tranchell, Chris Tranchell, Ian Callaghan, Alan Rowden, Beverly, Maryam Moarefvand

APOLOGIES: James Joughin, Lesley Richardson, Rick Boardman, Mark Alderton, Mo Morgan, John Gilbert, Alex Forrest, Chris Bainbridge, Simon Franklin

WEST LONDON GREEN FESTIVAL

In Furnival Gardens, by the river near the Dove pub, and the Blue Anchor,
Saturday 19 June 1pm - 5pm

Planning for this is progressing well. It is nearly confirmed that we have raised £3.5K to £4K in funds, from HFLA21, LBHF, SWELTRAC.

On the hfcyclists stand, together with cyclist groups from Wandsworth and Ealing, we expect to have a fat measuring device, give out cycling maps and the new LCC guides on buying a bike, keeping your bike safe, keeping yourself safe, etc. We will tell people what sort of bike is suitable for them. Engage with the public and encourage them to cycle.

We hope that our members will help out in a general capacity on the day. This festival is meant to raise our profile and standing and help us be more effective. Plus it should be a good thing.

There are about 25 environmental groups coming along, and there will be workshops by Carl Gabriel on making festival things, Orde Eliason on photography, Marie doing a kids workshop, and perhaps some theatrical stuff. Also entries from the HFLA21 photo competition should be on display.

Please contact John if you hope that you will be able to help on the day

WHAT WE ARE

Alan thought that we were, or are, or perhaps should be, a club for London Cycling Campaign members only.

John pointed out that we had introduced a constitution. This in part to help getting funds. This was derived from the model of Greenwich cyclists.

Our position is that we encourage members of hfcyclists to join the LCC, but do not require it.

John hoped that the group would find activists to be involved in local campaigns and to help in the day to day running, and for rides and whatever else was needed. Also activists who would be involved with the Central LCC.

We describe ourselves as an independent branch of the LCC.

There probably needs to be some changes to the constitutions of local groups. However this probably will not impinge upon the way we operate, as far as not requiring our members to join the LCC. [Problems arise as to whether our assets should be part of those of the LCC, and there maybe insurance problems for rides for groups that are independent of the LCC. We describe our rides as LCC rides and put them on the LCC rides section on the LCC website.]

SPECIAL GUEST - IAN CALLAGHAN

We are fortunate to have had Ian along to tell us a bit about the structure of the LCC's various campaign committees. Ian is chair of the Campaigns Co-ordination Subcommittee. This Committee meets every 2 months, and comprises the volunteer leaders of all its subcommittees. The committee instructs the paid staff on their missions.

The subcommittees include
Cycle parking and carriage [on trains]
Cycle planning and engineering
All abilities
Parks & canals
Policing and enforcement
HGVs
Trams

There are also projects and co-optees such as Olympics bid, Women and cycling,

Ian also explained how the LCN+ was run by TfL, based at Camden, and the CCE, the Centre for Cycling Excellence is somehow involved in things.

John goes along to meetings of Borough group co-ordinators, and also to meetings of the cycle planning and engineering group. And also attends meetings of the SW sector meetings of the LCN+. He would encourage anyone else to become more involved in the labyrinths and minutiae of the planning processes.

So, if you wish to be more involved in things, suggest
a) join the email group lcc-issues
b) speak to john G about how you can be more involved.

POLICE

John had met with Inspector Dan Stobbart earlier today to discuss policing of the Festival. They also talked about cycle thefts, cycling on the pavement, traffic chaos, and other things. I hope Dan will be able to come along to one of our meetings.

HELMETS

If people want to act on this they are welcome to contact their MP. See recent emails.

PUBLICITY

John had produced and laminated some A4 posters. Some people took these to place in places. Alan said if we leaflets he could give them out along the riverside as he went about his walks. We will have some fresh leaflets soon. We should utilise this time of the year to promote ourselves.

Maryam said that she was a graphic designer and would help us.

RIDES

On Sunday 4 April Beverly, Chris, Betina and John went on a ride to the Chiswick car boot sale and Farmers market. On a nice sunny day.

On Sunday 18 April It rained heavily and John and Cory turned up at the start of a ride to Richmond park but decided to abandon the idea.

Beverly has become our new rides leader.

NEXT RIDE: to Richmond park, with picnic will be on Sunday 2 May, meeting at Furnival Gardens at 12.50pm, leaving at 1pm. Contact Beverly on 07771 692 769 or john as below. [Furnival Gardens is the bit of green by the river between the Dove pub, and the Blue Anchor, not far from the bridge]

EXPENSES

John had expenses of
£20 for laminating
£3.99 for wine
£1.49 for food.
£5.50 for a ream of paper
[one wine bottle carried over from before, was drunk]

NEXT MEETING
Tuesday 11 May, 7.30pm in info centre.

John Griffiths [co-ordinator]
020 7371 1290 / 07789 095 748
john@truefeelings.com
OUR WEBSITE www.hfcyclists.org.uk