Hucknall Harriers 2026 AGM

Welcome to the 2026 Hucknall Harriers AGM Summary

This is a chance to look back at what’s been happening at Hucknall Harriers over the past year. 

You don’t need to read every word. Some of this is for transparency, some explains what’s been happening behind the scenes, and some is simply about recognising what we’ve built together.

Why an AGM?

Holding an AGM is a requirement of our affiliation with the Association of Running Clubs (ARC). As an affiliated group, we need to operate transparently and give members a say. But beyond that, it’s just good practice.

As HH has grown, we’ve put sensible foundations in place - affiliation, registration, a bank account, and some light structure - and it’s right that everyone understands how things work and can help shape what comes next.

The aim is to keep the AGM as simple and painless as possible. That’s why the AGM is being shared online. It makes it easier for everyone to take part in their own time. 

This Year’s Achievements

Over the past year, Hucknall Harriers Running Group has continued to grow - not just in numbers, but in confidence, participation and community spirit.

If we had to pick one main achievement of the group, it would be the fact that the group now genuinely feels like the “HH family”. These days, turning up often feels as much about seeing friends as it does about the running.

For some, running is about PBs and faster times - and that’s great. For others, it’s about getting out, clearing your head and enjoying the miles without it feeling like a chore. What’s been nice to see is that, whichever camp you fall into, people are getting fitter, stronger and more confident almost without realising it - because it’s happening through shared runs and consistency rather than pressure.

Regular Runs and Social Events

This year we’ve added new runs alongside our existing ones, giving people even more opportunities to get out with the group. As numbers have grown, we’ve also had to refine how we organise and lead runs to make sure everything stays safe and manageable for everyone taking part.

Growing Confidence

Across the group, it’s been great to see runners stretching themselves - increasing distances, trying new routes and taking on races they once said they’d “never do”.

That’s come from having a good bunch of running pals around you - encouraging, gently challenging in the right way, but without any pressure or expectation.

Membership Numbers

It's been phenomenal to see how much the group has grown, with 940 Facebook members and 156 active members (active members being a registered member who has attended a HH organised run more than once this year)

Races

Racing has continued to be an important part of HH this year.

For some, it’s about pushing for a PB and seeing what they’re capable of. For others, it’s about the atmosphere, the challenge, or simply having a goal to work towards. Both approaches sit comfortably within HH.

We’ve seen members take on events they once thought were out of reach - from local 5ks through to longer distances - and it’s been great to see the confidence that comes from stepping up to something new.

HH has turned out in force at many events this year. At both the Pint and Pork Scratchings Race and the Goose Fair Gallop, we were recognised as the club with the highest number of entries - which is a great reflection of how many people are willing to get involved and support each other. 

At its heart, whether it’s a serious race effort or just giving something a go, it’s about getting out there and sharing the experience with friends.

Trips Abroad

This year we very luck to get to share some very memorable trips abroad as a group, including a Poznań parkrun trip (for the “Z”) and a long weekend in Benidorm for the Half Marathon and 10k.

Becoming an Official Affiliated Running Club

This year, HH became an officially affiliated running club - something that’s involved quite a bit happening behind the scenes.

Alongside the visible running and social side of HH, we’ve put the right foundations in place, including:

• Affiliation with ARC

• Launching a new HH website

• Introducing annual member registration

• Agreeing a formal constitution

• Opening a dedicated Hucknall Harriers bank account

• Creating an online, not-for-profit merchandise shop

• Producing club policies, safety guidance & risk documentation

Such as:

• Participating Safely 

• Leading Runs Safely 

• Leading the Beginner Run Group 

• Risk Assessment 

• Code of Conduct 

• Privacy Policy 
  
  

The aim throughout has been to become an affiliated club without changing the feel of HH - keeping bureaucracy to a minimum and protecting the HH approach that anyone can get involved as much or as little as they like.

Celebrating the Year Together

Before moving on to the more practical parts of the AGM, we wanted to take a moment to celebrate the year visually.

Below is a video bringing together moments from runs, events, races, trips, and social time — a snapshot of what HH has been up to and, more importantly, the people that make the group what it is.

Plans for the Coming Year

Looking ahead, the focus for Hucknall Harriers Running Group is on continuing what works well, while gently exploring a few new ideas together.

Run Leader Training

Another main focus for the coming year will be rolling out more run leader training.

As numbers continue to grow - particularly with the introduction of the beginners group - it’s more important than ever that runs are led safely and confidently. Supporting newer runners brings an added level of responsibility, so it’s important that we equip ourselves properly.

Through club donations, we’re in a good position to be able to fund training for several HH volunteers to become England Athletics run leaders, helping ensure we can continue supporting runners safely as the group grows. 

This isn’t about creating hierarchy or adding layers of structure. It’s about sharing responsibility across the group and giving more people the skills and confidence to be able to step up when they want to.

Run leader training helps to:

• Keep everyone safe

• Share responsibility more widely

• Manage larger run groups

• Raise awareness of the challenges and concerns people can face when starting or returning to running

• Help us adapt runs to be more inclusive for different abilities and confidence levels

• Encourage good practice to reduce the risk of injury
  
  

As always, there’s no pressure to take on a formal role. It’s simply about widening the pool of people who feel comfortable leading when they choose to.

If you want to know more click here

Other Potential Future Ideas

Alongside the plans already mentioned, there are a few other ideas that could be explored in the future if there’s interest:

• Club handicap race — where runners set off in pace order with time handicaps, meaning slower runners start first and quicker runners later. The aim is to level the playing field and make it more about who has improved the most rather than simply who is fastest. 

• Additional training sessions for those who enjoy more structured running.

• More weekend away-day runs, exploring different places to run together.

• An autumn running based holiday - such as a half marathon abroad.

• Parkrun trips, both within the UK and abroad.

• Entering a non-EA affiliated league race alongside other local clubs.

• Racing - Lots of summer road, trail and fell races
  
  

None of these are firm plans at this stage, but they are the kind of ideas that could develop if there’s interest within the group.

Continuing what we do best

Alongside this, the intention is to:

• Continue offering a wide range of regular runs

• Keep supporting beginners and those building confidence

• Encourage member-led ideas, runs, trips, away days, walks and social events

• Continue to attend lots of racing events

• Maintain the informal, welcoming culture that defines HH
  
  

Ideas for the future are always welcome, and members are invited to share thoughts and suggestions via the AGM feedback form.

Helping Out & Volunteering

One of the things that makes Hucknall Harriers Running Group work so well is that people help out in small, manageable ways when they can.

There’s no expectation for anyone to volunteer, but for those who’d like to get involved a little more, there are lots of ways to help — all of them optional and flexible.

Ways people currently support HH include:

• Organising, leading or helping with runs (occasionally or regularly)

• Route planning

• Welcoming new members

• Helping organise socials or trips

• Assisting with kit orders

• Sharing ideas or helping coordinate events

• Supporting future plans.

• Administration
  
  

You don’t need experience, qualifications, or lots of free time — even small contributions help keep HH welcoming, inclusive, and sustainable.

If you’d like to help in any way, there’s an option to register interest in the AGM feedback form.

Club Finances

Although Hucknall Harriers Running Group is an informal, not-for-profit group, it’s important to be open about how money is handled and what it’s used for.

Transparency and good practice

• HH has a dedicated bank account, separate from any individual

• Money is held solely for the benefit of the group

• Any surplus is used to support HH activities and running-related costs

• The aim is sustainability and fairness, not profit

Keeping things simple and transparent helps protect both members and those who volunteer their time to help run HH.

Club Balance Information

1. Opening Balance

Opening balance (01/04/2025):   £0.00

2. Income

Member Donations £2,426.00

Merchandise & Club Kit Sales £3,227.77

Total Income: £5,653.77

3. Expenditure

ARC Affiliation £419.00

Merchandise & Club Kit £3,998.55

Bank Charges £34.00

Run Leader Training £225.50

Race Organisation Costs* £70.00

Reimbursement for Purchases** £293.62

Total Expenditure: £5,040.67

4. Closing Balance

Closing balance (31/03/2026): £613.10

5. Current Club Kit

Stock Balance (31/03/2026):     £1064.40

Hucknall Harriers continues to operate on a not-for-profit basis, with funds used only to support the safe and sustainable running of the group. 

Club kit sales are run on a not-for-profit basis, and any small surplus generated goes back into supporting the group. 

* Beauty and the Beast event 7th June 2026

**Payment reimbursed Dan Nightingale for costs personally incurred when purchasing merchandise prior to the establishment of the group bank account.

Donations

HH does not charge a membership fee. Instead, we suggest an optional donation for those who are happy and able to contribute.

Donations help cover things such as:

• Affiliation and insurance costs

• Website and online services

• Run leader training and development within the group

• Bank charges

• Club t-shirt and vest stock
  
  

If you would like to donate, please use the following bank details:

(Business Account)
Account Name: Hucknall Harriers
Account Number: 43511960
Sort Code: 30-54-66

To try and keep donations similar across members, we suggest around £1 - £3 per month. You’re welcome to set this up as a standing order or make a one-off payment if you prefer.

However, please remember there is absolutely no expectation to donate, and nobody is excluded from runs or activities if they choose not to.

Club Kit & Merchandise

We have continued to sell club kit throughout this year, and it’s been good to see so many HH tops out at runs, races and parkruns.

Merchandise is run on a not-for-profit basis. The aim isn’t to make money - it’s simply to help members feel proud to be part of the Hucknall Harriers and to raise awareness so others might feel encouraged to join us in future.

This year we launched a new online merchandise shop, making it easier for members to order kit directly. Alongside that, we’ve also built up a small stock of HH t-shirts and vests so members can buy kit straight away rather than waiting for the usual six-week supplier lead times. 

T-Shirt and Vest Sales

Total items sold to date (31/03/2026):

• 46 × Long Sleeve Tops

• 198 × T-Shirts

• 68 × Vests
  
  

Items sold this past year (01/04/2025 – 31/03/2026):

• 7 × Long Sleeve Tops

• 61 × T-Shirts

• 23 × Vests
  
  

Current club stock levels:

• 2 × Long Sleeve Tops

• 25 × T-Shirts

• 12 × Vests

Committee Structure & Democracy

Committee Roles

Chair: Daniel Nightingale.
Treasurer: Tony Buzzard-Nall

The committee structure will be kept to the minimum required to meet ARC affiliation and governance requirements. This is a deliberate choice to avoid concentrating responsibility within a single committee and instead encourage shared ownership and involvement across all group members.

While formal committee roles exist to meet governance and financial requirements, Hucknall Harriers operates as a collective. Members are empowered to take an active role in leading runs, supporting events, and contributing to the running and development of the group. Responsibility for the success and culture of the group is shared across the membership, rather than delegated solely to committee positions.

Additional roles may be appointed where there is a clear operational or governance need. Wherever possible, decisions will be made collaboratively with volunteers, maintaining the group’s informal, inclusive spirit while meeting affiliation obligations.

Club Leadership Group

For the purposes of decision-making relating to run leader training and other matters affecting the safe and sustainable operation of Hucknall Harriers Running Group, the Club Leadership Group refers to those members who regularly lead or host group runs and actively contribute to the ongoing operation of the group.

The Club Leadership Group is not a fixed committee and does not require formal appointment. Its composition may change over time to reflect active contribution.

Keeping Things Democratic

Even with a light-touch structure, it’s important that HH remains open, transparent, and democratic.

As part of this AGM, we’re asking members whether they would like to:

• Keep the current committee arrangement as it is

• Or refresh the committee and hold elections
  
  

This will be done via a simple poll in the AGM feedback form.

If members choose to refresh the committee:

• Roles will be clearly explained

• Anyone will be welcome to put themselves forward

• Elections will be simple and online

• Roles will remain light-touch, with shared responsibility

Thank You

Before closing, it’s important to say thank you.

HH only works because people quietly get involved.

Thank you to those who organise runs, plan routes, post events, lead or pace sessions, and support others along the way. Thank you to those who engage in the Facebook group, represent HH at races and events, organise social nights, and help make new members feel welcome.

But it genuinely doesn’t matter how you get involved. Whether you’re leading a run, chatting to someone new, turning up consistently, or simply bringing a good attitude and a bit of encouragement - you’re contributing.

Many of you probably don’t even realise the part you play in making HH what it is.

And thank you to everyone who simply turns up.

That’s what turns a running group into a close, supportive community of local runners enjoying being active together - and that’s something worth protecting.