Membership runs from October each year.

AIMS OF THE CLUB

The aims of the club are to foster interest and education in all aspects of horse driving. 

This may be acheived by:- organising events - driving; educational;spectating; public displays/demonstrations; social contact - by sharing experiences and expertise; by supporting and co-operating with other clubs; by mutual encouragement and support.         

AFFILIATIONS

The British Driving Society.

MEMBERSHIP

Membership is open to any persons involved in, or interested in, any aspect of driving horses/ponies in harness, who feel they can subscribe to the aims of the club.  An annual membership fee shall be payable and will entitle the member to vote at general meetings, receive newsletters as published (one per household), and attend club events.  Subscriptions will fall due on the 1st of October annually.  New members joining the club after June 1st may pay half subscription.  Members renewing/rejoining must pay the full annual subscription (i.e. cannot just be "summer" members at half fee).  The fee may be varied by majority vote at a general meeting.  Juniors (i.e. under 18 yrs on 1st October) may join free with a fee-paying adult member. 

Members will be expected to support, and uphold the good standing of, the Club.  Any member bringing the club into disrepute by any means including unsafe driving, mistreatment of animals, malicious gossip or violent behaviour, may be excluded from membership for whatsoever time period deemed appropriate by committee decision, without refund of any subscription paid.

OFFICERS

The officers of the Club shall be Chairman, Vice Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer and not less than three committee members, to be re-elected annually.  A sub-committee may be formed, or extra committee members co-opted, to cover organisation of events, such as an open show.

At committee meetings three members shall form a quorum with the Chairman having casting vote.  At general meetings 30% of the membership shall form a quorum with the Chairman having casting vote.

The officers and committee shall be responsible for the day to day running affairs of the club without recourse to the rest of the membership.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

An Annual General meeting (AGM) will be held in October, when officers may be re-elected, accounts accepted, officers reports received and any other business discussed.  Items for the Agenda should be notified to the Secretary not later than two weeks before the meeting.  

An Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) may be convened at the request of five members, to discuss/vote on matters of urgent concern.    

Only current members having paid the appropriate membership fee are entitled to vote at AGM or EGM.  Each member shall be entitled to one vote.

INSURANCE

All members participating in club driving activities must have, at least third party liability insurance for this activity.    

The club shall purchase insurance cover for third party legal liability in connection with events organised by the club. Please note- this policy covers any claims made against the club as an organisation only, it does not insure members as individuals.  members must have their own insurance.

Members must produce documentary evidence of current insurance, on request, when participating in driven club events. 

All members should behave responsibly, use safe equipment, and not admit liability, to avoid invalidating any claim.

DRIVES

All animals attending road drives must be shod unless it is agreed by the committee that an exception can be made.        

It is the member's own responsibility to ensure that harness and vehicles are safe and roadworthy.

Members are advised to carry a competent groom.  

New members must be accompanied by an experienced groom on their first drive.   

Any person of 14yrs or under riding in a horse-drawn vehicle at a club drive must wear a protective hat.