MINUTES OF THE 2009 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
The AGM was held on Wednesday 6th May 2009 at the Cheadle Hulme Institute, and fourteen members were present.
- Apologies. An apology was received from Andrew Walker, the 3rd team captain.
- Minutes of 2008 AGM. These were read and approved.
- Team Captains' Reports. The A-team (Captain: Keven Holton) had reached the Final of the Charnley Cup, where they lost to Stockport, having beaten Macclesfield and High Peak to reach the Final. They had faced very stiff competition in Division I of the Stockport League, but were able to avoid relegation by winning matches against Chorlton (twice), and Holmes Chapel (once) who were the runners-up in the Division. To mark their continued inclusion in the League's highest echelon, a celebration with wine and refreshments was indulged in by all those present. The B-team Captain (Dave Broadbent) reported that after promotion to the League's second division the team had performed well, having beaten the division's top team (Denton) 5-1 at one point. They finished just above the relegation zone and would deservedly remain in Division II next season. In the absence of the Captain, Ian Vaughan summarized the experiences of the C-team in the League's Division III. They had enjoyed their season and had finished around the middle of the table. After discussion, it was decided to continue to operate three teams next season, the captains being unchanged. All three Captains were warmly congratulated on their teams' performances, and thanked for their efforts.
- Trophies. The winner of the Matchplay Trophy for 2008-9 was Ian Vaughan, with David Taylor as runner-up by a narrow margin over Phil Ramsey who had joined the club during the season, and played for the A-team with considerable success. The winner of the Clubman's Competition was once again Alan Stokes, with Ian Vaughan as runner-up. The winner of the Christmas Swiss Rapidplay Competition had been Phil Ramsey, and the best player graded below 100 in that competition was Paul Tunnah. However, no club trophies were to be awarded for play at this social event.
- Competitions in 2009-10. It was decided that these would be the same as in 2008-9, except that the Quickplay competition, uncompleted in 2008-9, would be scrapped. Instead the Clubman Competition would be modifed to include two games at a rate of 30-min/player. Roger Beswick agreed to organize the Clubman Competition, and David Taylor would organize the Swiss Christmas Rapidplay (six rounds of 10-min/player games). Phil Ramsey suggested that the club experiment with a chess.com based all-play-all tournament during the summer, which he would organize, and several members agreed to participate.
- Treasurer's Report. The club's finances were discussed on the basis of the accounts prepared by
Roger Beswick, assisted by Mrs Beswick. Expenditure had exceeded income (by £146), largely as a result of the purchase of two clocks and commemorative shields for the 1st team players. There had also been additional team costs because we now had three teams in the League. Summer membership had more than covered the cost of summer rental of the premises. A motion to raise the winter membership fee was defeated, and fees would remain the same as for last season. The Treasurer and Mrs Beswick were warmly thanked for their efforts.
- Summer Opening. After discussion it was decided to open the club as in previous years to summer members at £3 per evening up to a limit of £15 per person. David Taylor and Roy Burrows agreed to open the club premises on Wednesday evenings and collect fees which would be passed to the Treasurer. The summer opening period would however finish at the end of July, because August was a period when few people participated. The winter season will commence on the first Wednesday in September.
- Election of Officers. There were no changes in the positions of Secretary (Geoff Clarke re-elected), Treasurer (Roger Beswick re-elected) and the Team Captains (Keven Holton, Dave Broadbent and Andy Walker) were re-elected. Dave Broadbent indicated that he wished to stand down as B-team Captain in 2010-11.
- Coaching Sessions by John Read. At least three sessions would be arranged, commencing on Wed 20th May, and continuing on Wed June 3rd and Wed June 10th.
- Any Other Business. There was a discussion of recruitment and membership, and Keven Holton agreed to discuss with fellow team-members some possible strategies for strengthening the A-team.
