Extraordinary General Meeting

Dear Members of VPH & TH AC,

 

Following the club's Annual General Meeting (AGM) held in October two votes were held on a proposed change to a rule regarding the structure of the club's board.  Both votes were hung at 19 for, 19 against.  As a result, and in order to resolve the matter, an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) was proposed along with some remote voting mechanisms to give more members the chance to vote or for those who had already expressed their preference at the AGM the chance to vote without attending the EGM.

 

A full EGM notice with details regarding the proposed change to the rule, agenda, details regarding the change to the board structure voting details and the voting form is available here.  The minutes from the AGM are available here. If you have trouble reading either document or would prefer a hard copy please contact me (write2sim@yahoo.com) and I will make arrangement for you.  Hard copies of the notice will be posted at Mile End track and at the club house.  Copies of the minutes will be made available at the club house.

 

Details:

The EGM will be held on Thursday 1st December, 2011, 8:45PM in the Club house, St Augustine's Hall, Cadogan Terrage, London E9.

 

About voting in the EGM:

• The vote will be held on the night of the EGM, alternatives to voting in person on the night are detailed below. 
• If you intend to send a representative to vote on your behalf (a proxy) at the EGM please make sure you comply with the requirements detailed on page one of the EGM notice attachment. 
• If you wish to email your vote, please send an email detailing your choice to the address created specifically for this purpose vphthac2011@gmail.com stating whether you are FOR or AGAINST the motion. Your vote will be treated in strict confidence. The deadline is Midnight, Tuesday 29th November.
• If you wish to post your vote please print and complete the voting form and send to the address detailed on the form.  The deadline for receipt is Tuesday 29th November.  Your vote will be treated in strict confidence.
• The usual voting rules apply, e.g. you must be a registed first claim or associate member, over 18 years of age. Your membership fees for the year must be paid (unless you have an exemption, such as a life member for example).  You can only vote once (if you vote by email or post you can not vote again on the night of the EGM or via a proxy)
• Please remember, even if you voted at the AGM on this matter you will need to vote once again using one of the above methods to ensure your voice is heard and your vote counts.

 

Remember, if you have concerns or questions you can contact me directly at write2sim@yahoo.com or contact the current board as a whole at vphthac-directors@googlegroups.com.

 

Thank you for taking the time to read this message.  We look forward to your vote in deciding how the club is managed in the future.

 

Simeon (Men's Captain, Road & XC Running)

Victoria Park works update

The latest update on the refurbishment works in Victoria Park are here.

November Newsletter

Dear Members

Some update for November and into the new Olympic year...

Extraordinary General Meeting - Thursday 1st December, 8:45pm

A reminder that an EGM for a vote regarding how the club board is to be structured in the future will be held.  If you are unable to attend, you can send a proxy or vote by post or email.  Contact me for details if you did not receive the notice.   

Club Christmas Party - Saturday 3rd December: 7pm until late

If you go to one Christmas party this year, might as well do it in style and make it this one.  It is always good fun, sometimes a drink or two might be consumed to get in the Christmas spirit.  There will be music, dancing, good food and winter warmth on offer (if we get the gas fire fixed in time!).  Tickets are just £10, which includes your food and a glass of Wulled Mine.   As ever, it's volunteers who bring you these events, so Rob is looking for some contributors to help with the catering.  If anyone is willing to bring a dish of christmas delight then have a chat with him after at the club or email him robpitkethly@yahoo.co.uk.  The costs of ingredients will be reimbursed.

Middlesex Cross Country Race (Wormwood Scrubs park) - Saturday 7th January 2012

Juniors from 11am. Senior Women 8k 1pm, Senior Men 12k 1:45pm    I have received the entry forms for the above.  There are elgibility criteria for Middx races, based upon birth, residence or previous competition.  Most club members are eligible to enter but some who live outside the catchment may not be,  contact me if you are unsure.  If you would like to race in this county-standard race please let me know, preferably via email with your name, DOB and Address.  As usual, the club will pay your entry fees  (£3 per runner)

providing you turn up and your annual subscriptions are paid.     Deadline: 18th December.

National Cross Country Championships - Parliament Hill - Saturday 25th February 2012

Junior race from 11am (3k - 10k), Senior Women (8k) 2:20pm, Senior Men (12k) 3pm.  The 'big one' at Parliament Hll. It will be hilly, it will be muddy and there will be some great competition going on.  Entrants must be first claim members for the club if you wish to enter.  If you'd like to enter, contact me with your name and DOB.  As usual, the club will pay your entry fees (£6 per runner) providing you turn up and you are up to date with your annual subscriptions.  Deadline: 23rd December.

Subscriptions now due

The subscription year runs from November.  If you've not yet paid, please make arrangements to do so. The fees are unchanged yet again for the year 2011-12, full details are on the Join section of the club website.   You don't need to fill out a form if you are already a member.  Bank transfers are preferred - please put your name as a reference, otherwise please hand cheques or cash to me or any of the other directors / coaches at the club.  

Recent Road & XC Race Results:

October handicap results are on the website noticeboard and also available at this link:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AvGm4zsbSvuxcmR6ei1tYlIwVzcxWmRaRzh1eWdvSGc

North London XC Association - race results are available here:

https://docs.google.com/open?id=1xZiI7cOBNRRlhYTU9SXuir6gj6172g2TRbCRL6rTM2Srffn5H9Zd7PHq7wrY 

Chingford League

The results are collated and hosted by Bob Jousiffe from Orion Harriers who works very hard to get the results published in good time.  All the details are here: http://www.bob-orion.me.uk/4.html

Wrap up warm and enjoy those Autumn runs, folks.

Simeon

Men's Road & XC Running Captain

October Newsletter

Hello all, chilly October greetings as the nights draw in and the leaves fall, welcome to the latest newsletter

AGM - This Thursday 20th October, 8:30pm - Club House, Cadogan Terrace

We look forward to welcoming you all at the forthcoming AGM, this Thursday in the Clubhouse, startng at 8:30PM.  The agenda, minutes and accounts are available here and the Directors' annual report is available to read on line. Limited hard copies will be available on the night if need.  Please let me know in advance if you specifically want a hard copy or large print copy and I will make sure one is produced.

October 2.9 mile Monthly Handicap – Thursday October 27^th, 2011. 7pm

Next Thursday the monthly handicap will take place as usual.Previous results are available here.
 

Virgin London Marathon 2012 – Club Allocated Places – Ballot Thursday 27^th October 2011 8:45pm

Once again the club has been allocated 4 places at next year’s race.  The ballot for the places will be held in the club bar after the handicap on Thursday 27^th October (around 8:45pm).  Please let me or any of the other director’s know by Wednesday 26^th if you would like to be entered for the ballot.  Remember, you will need to be eligible for entry in to the ballot, check the eligibility criteria here and remember you will need your rejection letter as proof:http://www.vphthac.org.uk/marathon.html

North London Cross Country Associaton, Kingsbury, Saturday 29th October 2011 (2pm, 2:45pm)
The above XC race is taking place please let me kow ASAP if you would like me to enter you for this race.  Send me your name and DOB by email to vphthac-owner@googlegroups.com

Club House Autumn Working Party - Sunday 6th November

It's Autumn, the leaves are falling thick and fast so we are planning a leaf-based working party on the above date.  If you are part of the club and benefit from the use of the club house, the bar, the coaching sessions, the races etc. now is your chance to give a little bit back if you have yet to do so this year.  We may well stuck like a stuck record (remember those?) but the place really does rely on everyone doing a little bit.  If you've not got involved yet this year come along and do your bit, even for a few hours.

That's it for now.  Hope to see some of you at the AGM or the winter races.

Simeon

Men's Road & XC Captain

Notice of Annual General Meeting

Dear Members

This is to invite you all to the club AGM, which will be held immediately after the Thursday night training session on 20 October 8:30 pm in the main hall of the Victoria Park Harriers & Tower Hamlets AC Club House, St Augustine's Hall, Cadogan Terrace, London. E9

Please note only fully paid-up members are entitled to vote at the AGM.

Please find links to:

1.     A draft agenda for the AGM

2.     Minutes of last year’s AGM

3    Signed annual accounts for the financial year to April 2011

Nominations are invited for these vacant positions on the Board of Directors: 

1      Chair           

2      Director of Women’s Road and Cross Country     

3      Director of Men’s Track and Field     

4      Director of Facilities

5      Director of Coaching and Officials

If you would like to stand for elections to any of the vacant positions, or nominate someone, or wish to propose a motion at the AGM, please let  the Club Secretary, Brenda Puech, know as soon as possible on bpuech@hotmail.com. If you would like to know more about any of the vacant positions, please have a chat with any one of the existing Directors (who can be conducted at vphthac-directors@googlegroups.com).  All requests will be treated as confidential

The latest date for receipt of motions for the AGM is 14 October 2011

Nominations may also be submitted for the following:

President - This is a ceremonial figurehead position within the club. Peter McHugh was Club President during last year.

Life Member - Quoting our club rule:  "Life membership may be awarded to any member upon completion of 21 years continuous membership, or for outstanding service to the club. An eligible candidate must be recommended by the committee and be approved at an Annual General Meeting by a three-fourth's majority decision of all those present." Peter McHugh was the last elected Life Member..

Vice President - A ceremonial award for outstanding service to the club. Kelvin Richards was elected as Vice President last year.

Life Vice President - This is the highest honour that can be bestowed by any club across the country and is not to be taken lightly. In the 105-years of combined history of VPH and THAC, there have only been 14 Life Vice Presidents. The last member to be so honoured was Terry Adams in 2007.

We look forward to seeing you at the AGM.

Best wishes

Simeon

Men's Captain Road & XC Running

Quick October Update - Neswletter coming soon

Chingford League Race #1 - Hog Hill Cycle Circuit - Tuesday 4th October 2011

Unfortunately the mini-bus option has fallen through for tomorrow night due to lack of available drivers.  However, the race is still going ahead. For those who've not run it before it is the first 'Cross Country' race of the season and part of the Chingford League, though being on a tarmac cycle circuit it is actually a road race.  The venue and facility is very good, though the course is not illuminated we rely somewhat on the London glow and the moon. It's a good race to start the season, since we are doing it twice.

Please bring your road shoes (NOT your spikes).

Venue: Redbridge Cycling Centre ('Hog Hill'). 

Times: Senior Race 8:05PM, Juniors U15/U17: 7:45PM, Juniors U13: 7:30PM

Travel: Nearest tube stations are Fairlop and Hainult on the Central Line [map]

For the bus, alight at Hainult and take the 247 bus towards Romford and get out at 'Romford Road / Forest Road' outside the centre.

If anyone is travelling by car, please can they post it on the club noticeboard thread in order to share lifts - that will be very much appreciated. I suggest if you are driving, please don't leave the club any later than 7pm to get there in time for the senior race start. http://disc.yourwebapps.com/Indices/180697.html

Reminder: There is no led session at the club house Tuesday night (4th October) in order that as many runners as possible can support the race.

Winter Fixtures:

The fixture list is nearly complete and will be circulated and posted very shortly, in the meanwhile here are a few of the major events coming up to get in your diary early:

Chingford League XC:

Oct 4th - Hog Hill 8pm

Oct 15th - Trent Park 2.30pm

Nov 1st Hog Hill 8pm

Nov 26th Alexandra Palace 2.30pm

Jan 21st Chingford (Orion) 2.30pm

Feb 18th Victoria Park 2.30pm

Mar 17th Relays Highams Park 1pm

Metropolitan League XC:

Oct 8th - Claybury

Nov 12th - Stevenage

Dec 17th - Ruislip

Jan 14th - Trent Park

Feb 11th - Horsenden Hill

A few others:

Oct 29th - Kingsbury - North London XC Champs

Dec 10th - Ware Cup  2.30 Loughton

Jan 28th Southern Championships XC Brighton

Feb 25th National XC Championships Parliament Hill

Mar 24th Orion 15

Mar 28th Physical Shield 8pm

There are also the remainder of the Club Championships race to fit in to the Calendar, including the 3.5mile, 5 mile XC, 10 mile and 20 mile and Mike Penman 10k.

That's it for now,

Here comes the Autumn, believe it or not. 

Cheers, 

Simeon

(VPH & TH AC - Men's Road and XC Captain)

August 2011 Newsletter

Hello all,

It's going to be a busy few weeks with plenty of races and other things going on, so read on very carefully....

 

Thursday 17th August 7:15pm - Assembly League Race #5 ~3.5 miles - Victoria Park

The fifth race of the series, and our second home race so a good turn out is expected.  We have made up some ground in the assembly league this season - please continue to support by getting there in good time to collect a number and warm up to run, the race should start around 7:15.

 

Women's Middle Distance (800, 1500m, 3000m) - Competition (Saturday 20th August) Coaching (every Saturday)

There is a Women's Track & Field Match on Saturday August 20th 2011 in Eton, and we are looking for senior women to run the middle distances: 800; 1500; 3000.  Transport will be provided.  Contact Robb Birchley robert_birchley@hotmail.com

Robb is also leading some Middle Distance training sessions whichwill normally be at Mile End Stadium at 11am on Saturdays, however, for the next three weeks (whilst the track is being relaid) they will be held at the old cinder track in Vitoria Park (at the same time).  These sessions will be good for distance runners of any discipline/distance though the focus will be specifically on improving at these specifics distances for competition.

 

Saturday 20th August - Day time

The Pride London 10k will take place in the Park starting at 11am.  We usually help out with this race also so if you are at a loose end and fancy getting invovled please see the notice on the noticeboard:

http://disc.yourwebapps.com/discussion.cgi?disc=180697;article=15165;title=VPHTHAC%20Noticeboard;pagemark=20

 

Saturday 20th August - Evening - Club barbecue and Chunder Mile

 

The club summer barbecue will take place from 6:30pm - see the club website site for more details: www.vphthac.org.uk

 

As part of the barbecue fun is also theVPH&TH Chunder Mile. Now in it's third year, the will be taking place alongside the Club Barbie.  Venue will be the old cinder track in Victoria Park; start time 7pm.

For those that are unaware, the Chunder Mile involves running a mile and drinking four pints (four half-pints for women) with a high probability of chunder!  You start the race with the consumption of a pint (or half pint) of lager - minimum 4% alcohol - (which will be provided) and proceed to run a lap of the track (400 metres) plus 9 metres.  You then stop and consume another pint (or half pint) and then run another lap of the track.  You are now half way.  Two more drinks; two more laps, and you are finished (in more than one sense).  One may chunder at one's own discretion.

Cost is £5 (to cover the cost of the beer). Interested parties please email Robb onrobert_birchley@ hotmail.com

 

Thursday 25th August 7:15pm - London Business Houses 5M Race Victoria Park

Once a year, in place of the 5 mile handicap we run the event as a straight race with old friends the London Business Houses so expect a slightly larger number of runners than usual.  Usual start time and, of course, the bar will be open afterwards to refresh those aching limbs.

 

Thursday 1st September 7:15pm - Assembly League Race #6 ~3.5 miles - Beckenham

The last race of the season at Beckenham.  We will rely on as many members making an effort to get to this race to complete - every place a VPH&TH runner takes in front of a runner from another club means potentially more points and a better standing in the results.  It's really not as far away as you might think.  More details will be given nearer the time via email and on the club noticeboard.  Remember the club and bar will be closed on Assembly League nights.

 

Sunday 4th September - 10:30am - Victoria Park - Middlesex 10k

A fast, high quality county-level 10k race, facilitated by the club on behalf of Middlesex AC.  More details on the Middlesex AA website at http://middlesexaa.org.uk. As usual there is a chance for members to enter or to take part by assisting on the day.  Please contact me or Major Carr if you can get invovled.  Closing date for entries is 27th August or when entry limits have been reached.

 

Thursday September 22nd - Shortly after 7pm

The annual Club Championships series kicks off with the 1 Mile race in Victoria Park , also known as the Flowers Mile after a former club member.  Run around the classic one mile course adjacent to the clubhouse in Victoria Park.  This fast race is over in a flash but great fun.  Due to low light levels at this time of the year get to the club well before 7pm changed and ready to run as the race will start soon after.  You will also need to register and collect a number to assist with timekeeping.

Sat/Sun 24th/25th September-6 Stage Road Relays - Aldershot

The club is looking to put together teams to participate in this event.  The Women's event (senior and veterans) is on Saturday and the men's the next day.  Robb Birchley is putting together the women's team, but we are looking forsomeone to lead the men's team.  Those who have taken part in the 12 stage will know how much fun it can be - expect similar at the 6 stage only with less hanging around.

 

Saturday 15th October - All day - First Aid Course

There will be a first aid course held at the club on the above date and club members who are interested in attending should get in touch with me, Philippa or Mick Cairns.  It is being run by Triathlon England so the focus will be from a Triathlon-persepctive but the offer in open to all club members. The club would cover the costs of this but in return participants would be expected to support club activities in the future.

 

Thursday 20th October 2011 - VPH & TH AC Club Annual General Meeting - 8:30pm

Advanced noticed for the club AGM which will take place in the Clubhouse (St Augustine's Hall, Cadogan Terrage, London E9).  A detailed agenda will follow nearer the time.  In the meanwhile please bear in mind there will be a number of board positions available due to current Directors stepping down including Women's Road & XC Captain and Chairperson.  The meeting is your chance to hear more about what the club has been up to during the year and to review in more detail the finances of the club.  The annual accounts should be available to view in the near future here: http://www.charity-commission.gov.uk/Showcharity/RegisterOfCharities/CharityWithoutPartB.aspx?RegisteredCharityNumber=1091712&SubsidiaryNumber=0  or email me for a copy.

 

Don't forget Autumn means Cross Country season begins too (and your shoes have only just dried out from last season).  More details and dates to follow :-)

 

Lastly, congratulations to Club Members Susan Leese & David Wilkey who said I DO (run) at Camden Town Hall recently - we wish you both a long and happy marriage together

 

So, lots going on with your club - well you wouldn't want to be stuck indoors would you? 

 

Simeon

Men's Captain - Road & XC Running

 

p.s. TWITTER and BLOG: all this news and more is available at the VPH TH AC blog at:http://vphthac.blogspot.com/ and follow us on Twitter at: http://twitter.com/vphthac.  Thanks to Joe Feltham, Stanley Greenhalgh and others for setting up and managing these.