Titchfield Bridge Club - Minutes AGM 10th December 2007

The meeting opened at 7 p.m. with 53 members present. The Chairman welcomed all those members attending the meeting.

Apologies: Diane Young, Celia Parsons, Maureen Smith, Dennis Morison.

1. Approval of Minutes: The minutes of the AGM held on 4th December 2006 were approved and accepted unanimously.

2. Matters arising: None were brought forward.

3. Chairman’s Report.

I’m pleased to report we have avoided the Chinese curse of interesting times and have had a quiet and successful year. There have however been sad times. In February our oldest lady member Jean Hesketh died closely followed by our youngest member Jean Pike’s son Gary. At Glamis Court where Jean lived a seat has been installed, donated by the Bridge Clubs where Jean was a member, Gosport, Lockswood, Portchester and Titchfield.

The talk at the moment is of the EBU striving for change and I am of the view that it is better to wait until exact details are known next year. Jim will enlarge on this in his report.

My thanks go to the Committee members for their work they have put in over the past year. Secretary Jean, King of the Counting House Neville well aided by Pat, Susan, David and Dennis. Jim has been a first class Competition Secretary producing early morning results on the web and dealing efficiently and promptly with all matters arising from that post. A special thank you goes to Bill Boswell who has borne the brunt of directing our bridge evenings with help from time to time from Peter Francis, Chris Barrable and Jim. Barbara Sheret has been a godsend in finding partners and I would ask her to accept this small gift of flowers to show our appreciation for her efforts.

Our Christmas Drinks gathering is being held next Monday and I’m hoping liquid refreshment will be on hand all evening including tea and coffee. Due to the lack of space in the bridge room and in the kitchen hot sausages rolls, mince pies and nibbles will be served at about 8.30 p.m. This gives a chance for a break and a chat. Bill will be running the evening and I would like to know whether you would prefer Normal or Fun Bridge. (By a show of hands it was decided that Fun Bridge would be played, individual competition with no partner required). Thank you all for your support and help over the past year. May I end by wishing you all happy and prosperous time and the hope that the many colourful characters will continue to enjoy each other's company and not become too exasperated by our eccentricities. With such a variety of interesting personalities here I am sure you will not disappoint me. My wish is for a happy and exciting Club but not a boring Club.

4. Treasurer’s Report and Financial Statement.

The Income and Expenditure Account (copy attached) was reported on. Expenditure during 2007 was up slightly due to the extra rental costs of ¼ hour on each bridge evening, together with the purchase of 3 new competition cups to replace the rather shabby trophies previously used. Room rental is expected to rise in February 2008, however as Club finances remain healthy it is recommended that the annual subscription and visitor’s fees are unchanged.

The accounts were approved by the members.

5. Membership Secretary’s Report.

Membership remains stable at 84 members. We lost 6 members from last year and gained 8 new members this year. Income from Visitor’s fees has increased.

6. Competition Secretary’s Report.

It has been an uneventful year from my point of view.We reached the semi-finals of last year’s Basingstoke Cup and we play Alton in the first round this year. My thanks go to Peter Francis for organising the team for the Basingstoke Cup.Thanks also go to Harold Scott for making the boards up for the Simultaneous Pairs competitions.

Directing is mainly done by Bill Boswell with Chris Barrable and I filling in during any absence. If any member would like to direct please contact me and I will arrange it.The programme of events for this coming year has been displayed on the notice board for several weeks and is similar to those played this year; the events will be the same, the dates have moved a day or two. There are 6 Simultaneous Pairs and the usual club competitions. The teams competition has moved from February to March.

I’d like to say a few words about the EBU Strategy Proposals. The initial proposal from the EBU Board published in June 2007 outlined a scheme intended to revitalise our Clubs and membership. The aims of the initial phase were to strengthen the membership base and to restructure the financing of the EBU. Counties were asked to discuss the proposals fully with their County committees, their clubs and their members. Meetings were set up with the Counties to discuss feedback so that a full and considered discussion about the scheme could take place at the AGM in October 2007.

These discussions took place and following the AGM revised Strategy Proposals were issued taking into account the debates that had taken place and the criticisms and positive suggestions received.

Consultations with all affiliated clubs continue at this time. Most of the current discussion centres on the restructuring of the EBU finances and the estimation of a Pay to Play fee. Once the real number of playing sessions has been ascertained, the EBU can identify an accurate Pay to Play fee and then provide the Financial Plan that the membership requires.The process has now been extended and an Extraordinary General Meeting of the EBU will take place on 4th June 2008 at which a decision will be made on the future structure of bridge in England.

Your Committee has provided general data to County as requested, joined in the debate and attended various meetings on the proposals. However no decisions affecting the Club will be made until the final proposals are known and have been discussed at an extraordinary general meeting of the Titchfield Bridge Club.

7. Community Centre Representative’s Report.

Good relations continue with the Community Centre Management Committee and the ¼ hour extension of the time we rent the room on Club nights has been beneficial. A contribution has been made by the Bridge Club towards the cost of the new chairs and a small plague will be added to the backs of 2 chairs. Improvements to the room lighting are still a work in progress.

8. Presentation of Trophies.

The President Leslie Ellis presented the prizes.

9. Subscriptions.

The meeting agreed unanimously with the Treasurer’s proposal that subscriptions remain at £45 per annum, with Visitors fees remaining at £2 per session.

10. Recommendations of the Management Committee.

None were brought forward.

11. Election of the Committee.

Leslie Ellis has expressed his wish to resign from the post of President. Gina thanked him on behalf of the Club for setting the Club up 27 years ago and for all his efforts over the years particularly through some of the difficult times. She made a small presentation to Leslie who expressed his thanks.

The following were elected unopposed.

President Bill Boswell, Chairman Gina Hunt, Secretary Jean Pike, Treasurer Neville Vernon, Membership Secretary Pat Lee, Competition Secretary Jim Sherman, Community Centre Representative Susan Poole and Master Points/ Stationery Representative David Hunt and Chris Barrable Publicity.

There being no other business the meeting closed at 7.25 p.m.

The next Committee meeting will be held on Monday 17th March 2008 at 5.30 p.m. in the Titchfield Community Centre.