Forest Row Duplicate Bridge Club

AGM Monday 26th October 2015 1.15pm

Minutes

Members Present: Dave Burman, Geoff Doble, Ian Carruthers, Margaret Carruthers, Eileen McNichol, Murray Ferguson, Diana Comer, Pam Barker, Carol Mitchell, Linda Souter, Sheila Hilliard, Margaret Ridgeway-Watt, Carole Oliver, Ken Oliver, Doug Hopkins, Dorothy Field, Ann Mugridge, Julie Hillyer, Colin Hillyer, Karen Marsh, Arthur Turk, Stephanie Thornton, Michael Osborne, Fred Reddy, Stella Page, Ann Lock, David Lock, Pauline Burfoot, Joyce Fenton, Stella Gamble, Nick Kerr, David Blake, Sue Allen and Ron Wood.

Apologies for Absence: Ann Sellier, Chris Sellier, Jean Friend, Carol Lowers, Dorothy and Michael Haynes.

Minutes of AGM 27th Oct 2014: These had been circulated via Club’s website and there were no matters arising. Eileen McNichol proposed and Sheila Hilliard seconded that the minutes were accepted

Chairman’s Report:

The most significant event of the year was the closure of our Wednesday night bridge sessions. As in previous reports, we had noticed a decline in evening attendances, part of a national trend, which sank to an average of 3 tables for the last 10 sessions we held. There was only a relatively small pool of members who would attend. Sometimes we had 2.5 tables, so each board got played just twice. This is not a satisfying way to spend 3 hours, and certainly it required subsidy from club funds, as the room rent exceeded the table money on such nights. Geoff has calculated this to be almost £600. With regret, it was decided to close the evening session.

Better news though for the Monday session, in that last year I reported a decline from 6.5 to 5.5 average table size, this year it averaged 7 tables. A few weeks ago we even had 10.5 tables.

Two teaching courses were held during the year, making it 5 since we started, contributing over £500 to club funds. At the present time we are considering further courses during Jan/Feb/March.

Whilst the Summer Party fell by the wayside with the closure of Wednesday night, the Christmas lunch at the Aldeia was a sell out once again. I am pleased to announce that we will be returning to the Aldeia on Monday 14^th December, tickets go on sale from today, see Colin to reserve your place. We are holding the price to £20, for the 3^rd year in a row.

As to annual membership fee, Colin has already collected £5 per head, no change for many a year, and any member not yet paid, please do so as soon as possible. Once the renewal process is complete, we expect to have about 60 members, compared with 70 last year. Table money will also be held at £2.50

As you have heard me say on previous occasions, the running of the club is a team effort, and before I mention specific people, I would like to thank all those members who help set up, and clear up, after each session, making the job of the director very much easier. That said, and in no special order, I would like to thank

• Directors:Colin/Linda/Ken/Sue

• Committee: Colin/Julie/Ann Sellier/Geoff/Tony & Jean Friend.

• Find a partner assistance-Ann Sellier

• Carol Mitchell for auditing the accounts. Whilst she did stand down at the last AGM, she very kindly stepped into the breach, for this year.

The club is in good shape as a once-a-week club, and we trust members will turn out as often as they can to keep the club’s future safe.

Treasurer’s Report: (Copy attached) Geoff Doble reported that the Club' bank balance was £2399.71. This was some £286 less than last year. This was largely due to the loss incurred running the Wednesday sessions. Of the £2.50 table money collected, 43p had to be paid to the EBU for Pay to Play. The average cost of hiring the Hall was £50 and we needed 7 tables to break even.

Ken Oliver asked if the Club would return to profit now the Wednesday session had stopped. Geoff said if the current healthy attendance continues it should.

Carol Mitchell indicated that the income from the teaching activities had helped cover the losses from the Wednesday sessions.

Fred Reddy asked if there was any increase in rent due and was any expenditure forecast for next year. Geoff advised that as yet no increase had been planned. In any event, over the past few years any increase had been fairly small. Dave explained that no major expenditure was planned and we still had a stock of stationery; the EBU had given each club a complete set of cards (36 packs).

Geoff thanked Colin and Dave for banking the subs and table money and Pam Barker for collecting the cash on Mondays.

Geoff said he was prepared to continue as Treasurer but, if a volunteer came forward he would happily stand aside.

Appointment of Auditor: Fred Reddy volunteered to be auditor and was duly appointed.

Election of Officers: With the exception of Tony Vaughan the present Committee were prepared to stand again. Ken Oliver proposed that the Committee be re-elected en bloc. This was seconded by Carol Mitchell and passed without dissent. No formal proposal for any of the Committee Member positions or Officers had been received. There is a vacancy on the Committee and Dave asked the meeting to consider if a volunteer might be found. There are only 3 or 4 Committee meetings per year.

Any Other Business: None.

Following the AGM Linda Souter volunteered to serve on the Committee. Thank you.