Danetre Bridge Club Committee Meeting
            Minutes meeting 21st February 2024

Minutes previous meeting approved

Matters Arising : None

Welcome to Anne Carrington as a committee member. Anne has agreed to take over as Social Secretary. Induction asap.

Finance
Savings Account balance £2287.38
Petty Cash £17.59

Teaching
In total there have been 14 lessons in 3 phases. Lesson plans used for training area are on the website together with additional materials. Everyone has been able to use No Fear Bridge as a free resource. The training has been greatly enhanced by the opportunity of supported play, arranged by Candice, twice a week at Staverton Golf Club. There is a regular group of keen bridge players who will continue to enjoy the game and a few of these will move onto playing duplicate. Sue Perneys at Welton Bridge Club has agreed that players can play there as a stepping stone to DBC. Two players will go supported by Jenny and Candice shortly. The next stage is to continue teaching through the Golf Club group. Jenny will continue to help with this.
Initial attendance 22, final stage 12.
Cost £100.

Website
Peter Baines has been asked to look at the lesson plans he put on the website and make any current changes. e.g.The strong hand opener.    

      Action: PB

Marketing the Club
It was agreed to try another campaign to attract newcomers to play at the club. When we have a new poster we will discuss further how we will distribute them. Jenny to ask Rob Kamara if he will help with the poster.

AOB
Anne asked about the club becoming EBU affiliated. It was agreed to explore the possibilities.

     Action: AC to identify pros and cons.

Minutes Danetre Bridge Club AGM
10th January, 2024 6.15pm

Jenny Lucas welcomed everyone.

1.   Apologies: Tony & Sue Pernyes, Alison McConnell, Chris Pendlebury, Margaret Thiel, Kate Dennison, Di Cripps, Jim Shoesmith, Richard Fountaine, Linda Houston, Chris & Carolyn Prastka, Lo Tolbutt, Craig Hutton.

2.   Approval of 2023 AGM Minutes.  Approved Sue Kamara, seconded Peter Wood.

3.   The Committee and new members.  The Committee members are Jenny Lucas and Jane White (co-chairpersons), Ann Wood, Alison McConnell, Carrie Hart – and Anne Carrington is to join the Committee.  Anyone who would like to join them, please do not hesitate to contact Jenny.

4.   Joint Chairs'  Report.  Jenny wished to thank the Committee for their help and support, and also the scorers and Directors. She wanted to mention the positives of DBC.
         a)  It is a small and friendly club and financially viable.
         b) It is not a grand club - not EBU affiliated, but does try to stick to correct bridge rules and regulations.
         c) The standard of the club players - It has a friendly atmosphere, but does have a competitive spirit, and players enjoy this element of the playing at DBC .

5.   Teaching. The club is moving forward to encourage new bridge players, in the hope that they will enjoy playing at the club in the future.

6.   Treasurer's Report.  Jane showed the figures (see below).  There is a £700 surplus this year created largely by higher table money taken and a lower rent on the hire of the Bowls Club.  The figures were approved by Peter Baines and seconded by Isobel Fountaine.

7.  Creating growth.  In September 2023 DBC undertook the challenge to introduce new players to the game of bridge with 6 free lessons.  22 people tried the course, with Aman Ansari  instructing. This led to a 4 week consolidation phase of guided tuition.  This will now lead on to more of the same, starting in January 2024 using internet lessons on NZ Bridge site and No Fear Bridge along with the face to face sessions.  It is expected that about 12 people will attend.  DBC member, Candice Jones, has started a social bridge group at the Staverton Golf Club on Mondays and Wednesdays at 12pm,  where learners or anyone fancying informal bridge can play.  All welcome.

8.   Feedback.   The Chairman would like any feedback relating to DBC.

9.   Awards.  Isobel Fountaine was congratulated for attending all 50 sessions in 2023.

                      Peter Baines and Maria Smyth won the award for being the top pair in 2023.

10. AOB.  Sue Kamara thanked Jenny and Jane for all their hard work in running the club. Chris Malthouse pointed out that it is a very friendly and enjoyable club to be part of.

The meeting was closed at 6.50pm

Minutes DBC Committee Meeting

Monday, 27^th November 2023 at Carrie’s house.

Present: Jane White, Jenny Lucas, Ann Wood, Carrie Hart. Apologies: Alison McConnell.

1. Matters Arising. The Bowls Club membership is £2 and the Committee discussed how the money should be collected from club members.

2. Finance. There is £2420 in the bank at present with £762 income over expenditure this year. The Training Programme has 4 sessions running before Christmas, which requires £5 per session for each attendee. At present the club has collected £105, some as yet unpaid. The cost of the initial training sessions to the club is £135. £90 still owing (for the cost of £15 and hour) to the Bowls Club for the more recent sessions.

3. Training programme Progress and future. 6 Starter sessions finished and have been popular. It was decided that a team of Committee members (with much help from Alan) would continue with a 4 session course. The system decided upon is the NZ Bridge website and it was considered it would be a good platform to use. The Committee are happy that the format of self-supported learning - (using the NZ Bride site, and No Fear Bridge site) - with topics and material put on the DBC website, with explanation presented at the next lesson and also some supported play at the lesson – and think it is working well. Hence, after Christmas, the team will continue with 4 more sessions starting in January 2024.

4. Christmas. There will be a free drink offered on Wednesday, December 20^th December, along with the usual session. Christmas jumpers to be worn, if wished, to add a little Christmas spirit.

5. Date of AGM. 10^th January 2024.

6. AOB. Awards. There will be an award to the most successful pair in 2023.

The meeting was closed at 5.30pm

DBC Committee Meeting Minutes

Wednesday, 26th July 2023 at 6pm
 

Present: Jenny Lucas, Jane White, Diana Wells, Ann Wood, Alison McConnell, Carrie Hart

I. Matters Arising:  None.

2. Finances:  £2323 in account + £100 cash.

3. Future of DBC:  Worryingly low attendance rates since face to face play after Covid.  The Committee want the club to continue. The club needs to have 3 ½ tables to break even.  Achieving this most weeks but keen to up the numbers.   A discussion as to how to increase numbers followed.

• Advertising and teaching sessions are to be considered.
• The idea of re-registration of weekly players was discussed - but as it was thought that this would not increase numbers, it was vetoed.       
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    

4. Laws of Bridge:  At the beginning of Wednesday sessions a few etiquette and use of stop/alert cards will be mentioned to remind members to use.

5. Directors and Scorers: Working satisfactorily at present.

6. Duplicate Bridge Boards: This will be done by Rugby Bridge Club at a cost of £8 a week.

7. AOB:  None.

Meeting ended at 6.55pm.

Annual General Meeting
Minutes
Wednesday, 11th January 2023 at 6.50 pm

There were 25 members present.

Apologies: Sue and Tony Pernyes, Nick Cooper, Linda Houston, Janet Chappell, Carrie Hart
Co-Chairperson Jenny Lucas welcomed all present  and thanked everyone for attending.

1. Approval of 2022 AGM Minutes: Proposed by Debbie Welch and seconded by Isobel Fountaine.

2. Joint Chairpersons’ Report: presented by Jenny Lucas on behalf of the joint Chairpersons: Jenny Lucas and Jane White.
Jenny reminded the meeting that the role was being performed as a job share between herself and Jane. She also thanked the other committee members for their efforts throughout:

    • Carrie Hart as Secretary
    • Ann Wood for maintaining the website
    • Diana Wells for organising the successful Christmas Social evening

Thanks were also given to the Directing and Scoring team including:

    • Peter Baines
    • Richard Fountaine
    • Alan Walker

and also mentioned Peter Wood for continued IT support and a special mention to Alan Walker for scoring system and general all round help.

Alison McConnell has volunteered to join the Committee: proposed by Diana Wells and  seconded by Jim Shoesmith.

Bob Davies asked for confirmation of the composition of the Committee. Jenny confirmed the Committee members are now:

    • Jenny Lucas
    • Jane White
    • Carrie Hart
    • Ann Wood
    • Diane Wells
    • Alison McConnell (as of this meeting)

3. Treasurer’s Report: There have been 51 session with an average of 4.9 tables a week. 2-3 more tables are needed to break even, so the Club is running at an operating loss. It was therefore proposed to increase the table money to £4 per person per session, starting from next week (Wednesday 18th January).
       
At a vote by show of hands, the proposed increase in table money was carried by
For: (24 plus 2 in absentia (Sue and Tony Pernyes))  26
Against: None
Abstentions: 1

The financial statement was proposed by Jim Shoesmith and seconded by Richard Fountaine.

Jane also echoed Jenny’s thanks to Peter Wood and Alan, and made special mention that Alan and Judith have played 44 times out of a possible 51 in the year!

The annual membership subscription will be waived for 2023

Bob Davies asked about the table money for Visitors. Jane confirmed that Visitors have not been charged a different amount, but after a two or three visits they are asked to join and therefore pay the membership joining fee.

3. Award for 2021: This award was not announced.*

4. AOB: None

The meeting was closed at 7.00 pm

*The best players award for 2022 was announced at the following club meeting 18.01.23. Lol Tolbutt and Craig Hutton were the winners.

Annual General Meeting

11th January 2023 at 6.45pm

1. Approval of AGM minutes 2021.

2. Chairman’s Report including Finance statement.

• Committee, Directors, Scoring.

• Nomination approval for Alison McConnell to join committee.

• Proposal to increase table money to £4 a session.

3. Award for 2021.

4. AOB.

DBC Committee Meeting Minutes

10th November 2022 at 2.20pm

Present: Jenny Lucas, Jane White, Ann Wood, Diana Wells, Carrie Hart.
 

1.  Matters Arising.  Values – the Committee is committed to continuing to make Danetre Bridge Club a friendly, social bridge club.
 

2. Membership and Numbers. The return to face to face playing continues to be a challenge, with numbers still down on pre-covid attendance.  Jenny has worked hard to encourage members and new members to the club.  
 

3. Treasurer’s Report. So far this year we have played bridge every Wednesday and have averaged 4.93 tables a week.
    Cash in hand and at the bank total £1,753.45 at 31 October 2022.
 

4. Christmas Social Event. Wednesday 14th December at 7pm. There will be a light supper and free drink, provided by the Committee members, followed by Chicago bridge with prizes.
 

5. Scoring and Directing. The ArcScorer system is working well and scoring and directing are well covered.
 

6. Website. Ann is keeping the website up to date.

7. AGM. The AGM will be held on 11th January, starting at 6.30pm. Please contact Jenny if you have any items to put on the agenda or if you wish to join the committee. email jennyelucas@hotmail.co.uk

The meeting was closed at 4pm.

Committee Meeting Minutes

1^st June, 2022 at 6pm

Present: Jenny Lucas, Jane White, Ann Wood, Diana Wells, Carrie Hart.

Jenny Lucas welcomed everyone to the meeting, especially the new committee member, Diana Wells.

1. Roles and Responsibilities. Jenny - Social Secretary and Chairman. Jane - Treasurer and Chairman. Ann - the website. Carrie - Minutes Sec., librarian and will help with social events. Diana - work to promote the club and take on some of the duties of the Social Sec. Scoring - Jenny, Debbie, Alan, Chris P and Margaret T. Alan, Jane and Peter Baines will be Directing sessions.

2. Values. How to promote the club. Committee members will try to come up with ideas for ways to do so. Maybe reciprocal links with other local clubs. Promotional leaflets printed pre-covid will be distributed in the area. Diana will take on the role of ringing members to find partners, but it was agreed that Find a Partner on the website is still a valuable tool and members should be encouraged to use it.

3. Treasurer’s Report. DBC has £1900 in the bank. It is running at a slight loss at present. When numbers have built up and stabilized (following the disruption of covid), a decision will be taken in November as to whether we need to raise more funds. The library books are now accounted for, with 6 books mislaid. Loaning of the books will continue, with members signing out books. Carrie will continue overseeing.

4. Website. The Committee wish to thank Peter Wood for his invaluable work on the setting up of the ArcScorer system and getting it all up and running. The club has purchased new tablets and laptop, so should be healthy for at least 7 years. Diana will take the old equipment to a charity in Towcester.

The meeting was closed at 6.55pm.

Annual General Meeting
Minutes
Wednesday, 4th May 2022 at 6.30pm

There were 19 members present. 

Apologies: Alan Walker, Andy Robinson, Pat and Tony Wren, Margaret Thiel, Chris Pendelbury, Alison McConnell, Viv Baldwin, Rhona & Richard Holland, Jenny Lucas, Sue and Tony Pernes, Kala Chauhan, Nick Cooper, Chris Malthouse, Peter Wood, Margery Davies.

Chairman Peter Baines welcomed all present

1. Approval of 2021 AGM Minutes:   Approved by Carrie Hart and seconded by Jane White.
    
2. Chairman’s Report:   Peter explained that over the two years when covid interrupted play, it has been the aim of the Committee to keep the club going.  This was done largely by Jane organizing the successful RealBridge sessions online.  With questionnaires and phone conversations Jenny worked hard to discover what members wanted for the future – and the decision was that Bridge is, primarily, a face to face activity.  Hence, the members are now meeting on Wednesdays again. With a lasting sensitivity to covid, numbers are down.  Table numbers now vary between 3 – 6 tables.  Again Jenny works hard to pair singles up, and it is hoped numbers will rise again. DBC has purchased a new scoring system - ArcScorer, and the Chairman wished to thank Peter and Ann Wood for their work installing it. Peter announced that he is stepping down as Chairman after 6 years.  He will continue to support the club and will be Directing and collecting the boards from Nicky Bainbridge.  Peter will be starting ‘ Peter’s Pointers ‘– commenting on interesting hands, and this will be on the website. The website has been much enhanced over the past 6 years and although DBC does not have the resources to do teaching – the website will point to where lessons can be found, and we have the Andrew Robson books available with the book library, for self-help.  Diana Wells will join the Committee. This was approved by Jim Shoesmith and seconded by Maria Smyth. Peter thanked the Committee and wished them every success in going forward.  
    
3. Treasurer’s Report:   DBC accounts have remained healthy. Since returning to F2F there have been an average of 4.5 tables a week, 5-6 tables break even, so numbers need to keep going up. 7 new members joined in 2021. Table money will stay the same, and there will be no membership fee.  
    
4. Awards:   None awarded for 2021.
    
5. Constitution Rules:   A constitutional change was proposed to allow a Co-Chairmanship.  This would allow Jane White and Jenny Lucas to fulfil the role jointly. This was approved by Isobel Fountaine and seconded by Jim Shoesmith.  
    
6. AOB:    Bob Davies wished to thank Jane White for her outstanding work for the club over the year.   

Jane White thanked Peter, as did the members present, for his dedication and hard work as Chairman and will appreciate his continued support of the club.  

The meeting was closed at 7pm

Annual General Meeting

4th May 2022 6.30 pm

Agenda

1. Welcome

2. Approval of minutes 2021 AGM

3. Chairman’s Report

4. Treasurer’s Report

5. Awards -None to be made 2021

6. Constitution Rules

7. AOB

Minutes of DBC Committee Meeting held on 19^th April 2022 at 10.30am

Present: Peter Baines, Jane White, Jenny Lucas, Ann Wood, Carrie Hart.

1. Values of the Club.

Danetre Bridge Club is a small, friendly club offering a weekly game of duplicate bridge. We agreed that the following values are important to us.

• Respect

• Tolerance

• Enjoyment

Members seem to be enjoying the return to F2F. It is hoped that numbers will climb, with the aim of 6 or 7 tables a week. There will be regular sessions every Wednesday, irrespective of the number of tables on the night.

We need to respect all players - no rudeness to partners or other players – all need to have an enjoyable experience.

Jenny will continue to assist in matching singles with a partner, and members can contact her, or go to the website to ‘Find a Partner’.

2. Social Event. We will have a social/bridge evening in the future. No date has been decided upon yet.

3. The Committee. Peter Baines will stand down from the Chair on 4th May, 2022. Jane and Jenny may take it on as dual Chairpersons. At the AGM there will be a vote on changing the Constitution to allow this.

4. Finances. The club has £2727 at present.

5. Website. Ann will update the website.

6. AGM. To be held at 6.30pm on Wednesday 4^th May 2022

The meeting ended at 12.40pm. Peter thanked Carrie for hosting the meeting.

Present:  Peter Baines, Jane White, Jenny Lucas, Carrie Hart
Apologies:  Ann Wood

Peter had been notified this week of a covid case at the Bowls Club. The Bowls Club is to require facemarks to be worn throughout F2F bridge for at least 2 weeks. The committee felt that would be unacceptable to some members, so F2F will be temporarily halted for at least 2 weeks, with the resumption of RealBridge – starting this week on Wednesday 24th November at 7pm, logging in at 6.50pm. Jenny has sent an email about this to members.

1. Finances  Jane has prepared the annual financial report. Helped by Realbridge sessions and satisfactory numbers returning to F2F, all looking healthy.

2. Membership  The Chairman said that Trudy Calero has resigned from the Committee. The other committee members have agreed to continue. Peter is to ask for volunteers to join the Committee.

Attendance of F2F has been encouraging, with some new members. Jane commented that members have expressed appreciation of the work that has been done by the committee to keep the club going.

Peter feels that at present the plans to grow the club with lessons and taster sessions should be shelved at the present time.

3. Website  Jenny suggested using the website to promote the positivity that is apparent at the F2F sessions. Jane suggested that the requirement of 15 attendances before results appear on the website should be reduced to 8.

4. Constitution  Review of the number of Committee members required.

5. AGM  To be held before the F2F bridge on Wednesday 19th January 2022 at 6.30pm.

There are no plans for a Christmas party this year.

There will be no bridge sessions on 22nd or 29th December 2021

The meeting ended at 11.30am.  Peter thanked Carrie for hosting the meeting.

DBC Committee Meeting Minutes

Date:    21st June 2021 at 16.30

Present: Peter Baines, Jane White, Jenny Lucas, Carrie Hart, Ann Wood

Apologies: Trudy Calero

We would thank you all again for completing the recent survey and for any other feedback received. Like every Bridge Club the last 18 months have been different and it is only now that we can start to consider a way forward for Danetre.

Our plan, further to the survey and a F2F Management Committee meeting :

1) To restart F2F on Wednesday 8th September 2021. Unless we receive a negative from you, we would like to start at 7.00pm. We would appreciate a little more consideration for what is involved to set-up and break-down from those fit and able on some loose rota basis.

2) Costs have increased and we ask for your support to make the evening both financially viable and commensurate with the work involved….board collection and return, set-up and break-down, directing, scoring and travel.

3) We hope the plan is not subject to change! We will only be playing at DBC if any but the most minimal of common sense COVID precautions are required.

4) The game may not always comprise 24 boards (between 18 and 24), but will be flexible to suit player numbers and the movement. 18 was perfect last Wednesday to suit 5 full tables (9x2), and it is not yet clear whether on-line up to 1st September should be 18/24 or somewhere in between. It may be that the 3 people who have suggested it should be 24 have chosen to only play once a week and others who play on BBO and elsewhere and in the Rugby E-League are happy with a shorter 2 hour session of say 18 boards! Either way it is just £1.00 to play, with audio and visual, and time to chat and tell us your preference/s.

4) We are considering offering to those who really like on-line with Real Bridge the chance to play at another time after we resume F2F. There is perhaps an interest in say 12 boards. Monday evening has been suggested. Some of you might prefer another time?

5) We are taking the time from now until just before 8th September to look at our current scoring system and to consider an alternative. We will make the correct decision and advise you all soon.

6) The survey indicated a moderate preference to return to F2F and the full results will now appear on-line. There was also a good liking for  both Real Bridge and BBO. We would hope that any negatives re Real Bridge, our choice for DBC, can be overcome by muting, going to settings and selecting double click or simply by making it known that you would prefer not to immediately de-brief the hands as offered by the fantastic Real Bridge technology.

7) We would like to think that you (to repeat) will all join us on 8th September Face to Face and indeed before then on Real Bridge. Many of you have given it a go, please consider coming back and please encourage your friends to get involved.

Surveys / Questionnaires, inevitably, show that we all have our own opinions and differing thoughts re bridge. We have tried to take a balanced look at your responses, and in this most difficult of times, steer a course that makes sense.

A summary of the survey responses may be viewed here: Membership Preference Survey May 2021.pdf

Thank you again for your replies and comments since. We await further feedback re the transparent survey results to be found on -line , and this email which will appear under “ minutes” on -line.

Annual General Meeting
Monday, 18th January 2021 at 4.30pm

The AGM was an online Zoom Meeting due to Covid19 lockdown. 14 members attended the meeting.

Present: Peter Baines (Chairman), Jane White, (Treasurer) Jenny Lucas (Membership Secretary), Ann Wood (Website), Carrie Hart (Secretary/ Librarian), Trudy Calero (Committee member), Sue Herring, Catherine Holt, Janet Chappell, Kate & Dick Earley, Bob & Margery Davies.

Apologies: Peter Harper, Sue and Tony Pernyes, Diana Wells, Kala Chauhan, Linda Houston and Nick Cooper.

1. Welcome
The Chairman welcomed all attending the meeting, and thanked Jenny Lucas for suggesting using Zoom to have an online AGM.

2. Approval for 2019 AGM Minutes
The minutes of the previous AGM held on 9th January, 2020 were approved by Bob Davies and seconded by Alan Walker.

3. Chairman’s Report
What a year!
So many personal plans and ambitions for your Bridge Club have had to be changed, cancelled, postponed or put on hold. Good news is the vaccine has arrived and hope for bridge with RealBridge. Thank you Jane for introducing it to us and for continuing to head up our determination to fully understand how it works. We hope that those who have joined us are enjoying the bridge with its visual and audio features and will talk to others and encourage them to give it a go. More later but there may be opportunities for further play and/or supervised sessions.
Our bridge library is with Jenny if any of you would like to borrow books to self-help. Restrictions permitting!
I would like to thank you all for your continuing support for your bridge club and in particular your committee who have continued to meet by Zoom and now with much more real optimism with the advent of RealBridge.

4. Membership Secretary’s Report
The report for last year is very short. We all know why!!!
    • 10  new members joined in 2020, 5 before March and 5 since we started playing RealBridge.
    • Realbridge has given the club a vital lifeline to continue. Over 40 of our members are currently playing regularly and a few more are about to start.

I hope that all members are safe. A HNY to you all.

5. Treasurer’s Report
Despite only playing in person at the club ten times this year we have managed to record a small surplus.
We have played virtually a further six times at a cost of £72.
The sundry expense relates to marketing costs incurred in February when we trying to increase our membership.
The accounts were formally approved by Kate Earley and seconded by Trudy Calero.  Bob Davies thanked Jane White for her work and presentation of the accounts (see below).

6. Awards
None to be made for 2020.

7.  Constitution/Rules
No change.  Lifetime membership £10 RealBridge £1 a session at present.

8. Find-a-partner continues in 2021. 
This can be used to find a partner for RealBridge. Thanks to Jenny for all her correspondence with members.

9. Election of Management Committee for 2021.
Catherine Holt has resigned.  Carrie Hart has agreed to become Secretary.  The rest of the Committee will continue.  The Constitution stipulates there must be six on the Committee, a seventh person could join if anyone would like to.

10.  RealBridge.
The Chairman has been delighted to introduce RealBridge to the members and wished to thank Jane White for suggesting it and helping to set it up so that everyone can enjoy bridge on Wednesday evenings online.  At the moment Jane White and Peter Baines are directing the sessions, and Catherine Holt has offered to do so.  More offers would be welcomed.  Feedback to the RealBridge has been good, and Bob Davies commented on how much he enjoys the sessions - particularly being able to see everyone online.
https://realbridge.online/player-guide.html
Jane recommended members could look at this link for guidance on using the site.  It is suggested that players mute themselves whilst actually playing the hands to block out background noises in the home.
The Chairman is keen to encourage more to play and members are welcome to invite non-members to join the sessions, but it would mean they would need to pay the £10 membership fee. It is necessary to come to the sessions with a partner.
11. A.O.B
Jenny Lucas has the Andrew Robson books at present.  If anyone would like to borrow/exchange any of the books, Carrie would be happy to deliver them to members, delivered in plastic bags and Covid safe.

The meeting was closed at 5.20pm