The Chairperson Jane Farndon opened the meeting and welcomed those present
Apologies: Andy Barker, Phil Mattacks, Pat Hobson,Tom Banks, Pat Jacobs, Diana Savill, Jane Sly, Clive Piddell, April Piddell, Mike Fletcher, Jean Frisby, Roger Edmonds, Diana Dent, Tim Cooper, Nigel Bain, Mary Bain, Maggie Steven, Sue Minting.
Minutes of the last AGM: Acceptance proposed by Bill Thie and seconded by Chris Watson - all in favour
Matters arising: none
Chairman’s Report
The club continues to run a competitive and enjoyable duplicate bridge evening every Tuesday. Our membership numbers have dropped slightly over the last year but the average number of tables per evening has remained constant.
The Christmas party was once again very successful. I would like to thank Fiona for her continued help and support, I know that all the members appreciate Fiona’s splendid contribution especially her meringues. Thank you also to Maggie Steven for helping me run a very enjoyable evening’s bridge. Finally many thanks to all the committee members who helped with the catering and ensured that the festivities went with a swing.
Berkhamsted Bridge Club is affiliated to the EBU; this means that all BBC members are now members of the EBU. The club pays 39p per player per week to the EBU. The EBU gives 8p to Hertfordshire Bridge Association to help cover county costs. This cost is adequately covered by the table money and membership subscription, therefore the committee does not propose to make any increases this year.
The club competitions have all been well supported by our members. Ian Mitchell has continued to successfully and efficiently run most of the club competitions. This year, unfortunately, there were an odd number of pairs for the Diana Savill Swiss pair’s competition; this meant that several pairs had a long sit out. To ensure this situation does not arise again, there will be a pair on standby at next year’s competition.
I would like to congratulate Tom Banks and Patricia Hobson who won a prize as the highest placed veterans in July at the Eastbourne Seniors Congress. This is the second time Tom and Patricia have been winners of the Veterans prize at Eastbourne.
Sadly earlier this year Gladys Leary died. Gladys had been a member of BBC for many years. She was much loved and respected by all the members. She was always a great help and support to her husband Eric during his 10 years as treasurer.
My grateful thanks to all the members who regularly arrive early at the bridge club and help by putting out bidding boxes, stationery and signing members in. Also, many thanks to the directors for organising the evening’s bridge and those members who regularly help with the clearing up at the end of the evening.
Finally a big thank you to Rosemary Raggatt, Jane Mann, Maggie Moore, Maggie Steven, Bill Thie, John Wareham, Sandra White and Jane Lucas who as committee members all perform various duties thus ensuring the smooth running of the club.
Bill Thie and Rosemary Raggatt are retiring from the committee. Bill has been a valuable committee member for 8 years, always ready to give support and advice when required. I am glad that Bill has agreed to continue doing his excellent job as scorer, ablely assisted by Doreen. Rosemary has been secretary for the last two years and during that time has worked hard and efficiently at a very demanding job. The committee will miss both Bill and Rosemary but hope you will continue to enjoy your bridge at the club on aTuesday evening.
John Wareham has agreed to stand for election as secretary. Chris Kaye and Roger Lennard have agreed to stand for election onto the committee. Many thanks to Chris Kaye, who over the last year has assisted with running the BBC website.
Treasurer’s report: Jane thanked everyone for their support over the last 12 months. The clubs finances are stable and she proposed that the subs remain at £10 and table money at £2.50. The only expense will be the purchase of new competition boards which will be met from club funds.
Seven members attended the Berkhamsted Town Hall Anniversary Banquet to which the club subsidised the cost of the ticket.
Adoption of Accounts: proposed by Hubert Bunker and seconded by Susie Bond - all in favour.
Appointment of Auditor: Tom Banks proposed by Roger Bierrum seconded by Jane Holliday.
Election of Officers: Chair - Jane Farndon - Treasurer Jane Mann proposed by Bill Thie and seconded by Sheila Coates. John Wareham proposed by Sandra White and seconded by Angela Adamson. Re-election of committee - Maggie Moore, Jane Lucas & Sandra White proposed by Garth Hill and seconded by Chris Watson. Election of new committee members Roger Lennard and Chris Kaye proposed by Jill Simmons and seconded by Daphne Smoker - all in favour.
AOB
- Mike Minting asked if Norths could be reminded to show the traveller to all players
- Sandra White asked if players could bid before completing the curtain card
- Sheila Fone asked if players could be reminded to be welcoming the everyone at the table and in particular visitors to the club
- Garth Hill asked if the committee could review its use of local publicity to advertise the club
- Pat Hogger suggested that a microphone could be used as she did not believe everyone could hear what was being said
- Clive Walters then thanked the committee for all their hard work over the last 12 months.
Presentation of Prizes: The cups and trophies were presented by Bill Thie and the club acknowledged all the work that he and Doreen had done over the past years with a presentation of gifts.
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