Pennine Journey Supporters Club
Officers
| President | Ron Scholes |
| Chairman | David Pitt |
| Secretary | Heather Pitt |
| Treasurer | Martin Kirk |
| Route Coordinator | Jill King |
| Development Officer | vacant |
| Publicity Officer | vacant |
Following the decision by the Wainwright Society’s committee to “stand aside” from the Pennine Journey project it was decided to establish a Pennine Journey Supporters Club. This was inaugurated on 31st March 2012 when the above officials were appointed and the Charity Commission’s “Small Charity Constitution” adopted. One benefit of this constitution is that the Club will be a charity and qualify for Gift Aid on its annual subscriptions and donations now that it is registered by HMRC.
At a recent committee meeting it was decided to have the membership year ending on 30th June, the financial year ending on 31st July with the annual general meeting to take place in early October. All members will receive a lifetime membership card, to avoid the expense of annual ones, on receipt of their initial subscription.
At the inaugural meeting it was agreed that the Club will initially concentrate entirely on its core purpose of promoting and supporting the Pennine Journey route so that this tribute to AW becomes permanent. This will certainly be the case once the route has been waymarked and then marked on future Ordnance Survey maps.
The Club is now recognised by the appropriate highway authorities as the “Responsible Organisation” for the Pennine Journey. The function(s) of the “Responsible Organisation” as set out in the relevant policy document agreed by the Yorkshire Dales NPA and Cumbria CC is “There must be a specific group or organisation prepared to take responsibility for inspections and publicity material.”
At the inaugural meeting it was agreed that the philosophy of the Club should be that of an organisation requiring minimal administration and so every effort will be made to make it as paperless as possible by the use of electronic means of communication. Prior to the Club’s establishment £3,000 was raised towards the cost of waymarking the route and it is not envisaged that the Club should need to become involved in any major fundraising. Consequently a modest annual subscription is all that should be needed in the future and as the Pennine Journey route measures 247 miles then it was agreed that for the foreseeable future the annual subscription should be £2.47.
Also it was felt that the Club should not become an organisation that has events (i.e. walks etc.) as these could cut across the efforts of groups along the route with whom we would wish to develop a close working relationship. It is hoped that once the Club has become established, members will appreciate that they can play a significant role without it being time-consuming and take their turn in becoming committee members so bringing to it new ideas and initiatives.
The Development Plan attracted considerably support from parishes along the route and this support will be fostered to provide local input and create real local links. These could come from other walking organisations or local groups.
