Carl welcomed all to ParcAberporth and gave apologies for Tom Wells who could not be present due to a recent hospital stay. The club wish him a speedy recovery.

Notes from the previous meeting were reviewed and agreed on. The actions were reported thus:

Due to Tom’s recent brain-transplant surgery, a formal set of accounts-to-date were not available. A quick run down from Carl informed us that the sportive raised in the region of £700 which had been split between the two bodies (VTCC and Newport Spring Festival) and gave us a tidy profit.

The Preseli MTB Challenge was considered to have been very successful and all agreed that we should do it again next year. It was discussed that we could have a more open event perhaps inviting other clubs to enter teams, perhaps including a small donation to take part.

The trip to the Velodrome in October was once again very popular and all had a great evening. It was agreed we should try for one more trip before Christmas - same as before, probably on a Wednesday evening due to velodrome availability. Carl agreed to check out track availability; Michelle would contact club members for interest in attending.

Grant Money. As mentioned, funds have been secured from the Sports Council for Wales; given on the prerequisite that it will be used to help encourage people to into physical exercise. The application was based on using the money to pay for VTCC members to go on a MTB ‘Leader’ course plus some first aid training. The courses investigated would train people to MIAS Certificate standard. The longer term thinking is to encourage working with schools and the like to encourage kids in cycling.

Sheila mentioned that she is a trained MTB leader and that she has a mate who trains leaders. Sheila volunteered to ask him if he would be interested in coming down to Wales and what cost would be charged.

Volunteers for the course were quick off the mark, namely Carl, Andrew and Ioan. If the original plan is to be followed, these three would represent the club on the training course.

The training needs to be completed and reported by the end of March 2009 and it is intended then to pursue further funding to support road and track cycling.

Spinning Classes. It was suggested that the club could have a weekly Club-only spin class during the winter months; all hands showed a very big yes please!

Preseli Teifi Sportive 2009. Yes, we are doing it again! The date for next year is Sunday, May 3^rd. The DVD’s from this year’s event are going to be sent to a selection of competitors to remind them of next year’s event. Costs for his would be borne by VTCC and claimed from takings at the event.

There is work to be done and we are going to tweak the course a bit. To this end, a call will be issued for volunteers to help organizing, route planning, course design, timing, etc. Meetings for the event will, as with last year, be held separately from Velo Teifi club meetings.

Christmas Dinner. The location remains a secret until the menus go out. Six more names were added to the list and so far we have a grand total of 29. As always Velo Teifi will pay for a drop of wine for all to enjoy on the evening and there is a new twist: the club has lovingly prepared a Velo Teifi Quiz for us to take part in on the evening. Also, the Grand finale of the club kit design completion will be held, with partners being encouraged to offer an independant view!

2009 Subscriptions. These will be due in January. It was agreed that the annual fee charge would stay the same. It was suggested that next year we make sure that all paid up members have some form of membership card, which will enable them give evidence of membership in order to claim their 10% off at New Image Bicycles, Cardigan and County Cycles, Cross Hands. Neal agreed to help design, make up and price the cards, which shall be numbered and signed by the Club Secretary.

Children in Need, Friday 14^th November. VTCC are supporting the Round Table in their attempt to ride around Cardigan all day on the 14^th. The Round Table will be collecting money so all members have to do is bring your bike and ride, meeting outside Woolworth’s. All members are encouraged to attend at some part of the day if possible to boost the numbers. It was agreed that VTCC would draft an article for inclusion in that week’s Tivyside. The Round Table agreed to pursue radio coverage/advertising.

Ras Y Mast, 30^th November. Lyn Green informed the club of this year’s event, which is open to Mountain Bike entries (racing against runners). There is £40 prize money available. Detail were given as:

Club Kit Design. The Competition hots up, with many more designs turning up on the evening. All were (very fairly…) marked accordingly and the conclusion will now take place as part of Christmas dinner Quiz on November the 29^th.

Neal mentioned that the Cardigan 2010 club was looking to get organizations to take part in the celebrations for 2010. It was suggested that VTCC could organize some form of Criterium race through town; the event would be during the River and Food festival week. This would be further investigated through the coming year.

Ian Hipkins advised that the Newport MTBikers would be riding out over the Christmas Period and would welcome the company of VTCC, with perhaps a bite to eat and mulled wine after… or something like that. Ian would advise dates in due course and VTCC member would be emailed accordingly.