LINGWOOD BRIDGE CLUB

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 17^th MAY 2016

The Chairman opened the meeting at 7.10pm and thanked everyone for attending.

1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies have been received from:  Mr & Mrs Bunn, Mrs A. Clarke, Mr T. Cockle, Mrs S. Francis, Mr N. Grandy, Mr A. Jones, Mr R. Lenger, Mr I. McLauchlan, Mrs B. Osborn, Mrs A. Owen, Mrs J. Payne, Mr A. Rodger, Mr J. Skuse and Mr & Mrs B West

2. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS AGM 12.05.15

Agreed as a true record.

Proposed by: Mr P. Tucker                            Seconded by: Mrs J. Duthie

3. MATTERS ARISING

Swiss Teams

This event was held on two consecutive weeks this year. This format had been successful.

4. CHAIRMAN’S REPORT

Over the past year we have seen numbers rise by about 10% to an average of 11 tables. This is most encouraging. We are attracting people who want a good level of competitive bridge and we are providing it in an atmosphere of friendliness and respect. My thanks to all of you for maintaining that environment and for making visitors so welcome.

I like to identify the best attended sessions during the year. Last year that was the Charity event in July which raised £275 for Macmillan Cancer Research. The next was the Ladies versus Men challenge in December which is always well attended. After that was the new-style Swiss Teams event in March, which seems to have “hit the spot” in popularity. The Dagwell Trophy is also worth a mention, averaging 11.7 tables throughout its 12 rounds.

I would like to make two comments on these attendances. Firstly I wish to thank Sue and Judith who do a lot of ringing around to put pairs and teams together. Their sterling efforts ensure that as many people as possible get to play. And secondly it does seem that you like to play a variety of formats. We are always open to new ideas so if you feel that we have not got it quite right or could improve on the range of competitions on offer then do please put suggestions forward for us to consider at our meetings.

At last year’s AGM Ted Cockle suggested that we consider operating a “host system” whereby visitors could turn up on the evening and be guaranteed a game by virtue of a member being “on tap” – going home if not needed – or one half of a pair sacrificing his or her game should a visitor turn up on spec. We tested the system for six months during which time no-one turned up “on the night”. We did have a couple of advance visitor warnings, courtesy of the website, which we successfully paired up for the evening. We have decided to shelve the idea of a “speculative host”  in favour of advertising on our website and the ECBA website that we will endeavour to find a partner for a visitor should they let us know of their wish to attend. These days anyone looking to play in an area will search the internet and we believe that is the best way to offer a game to a singleton in the modern era.

A few weeks ago I indicated that the Committee were considering an increase in the annual subscription, which has stood at £5 for as long as anyone can remember. This was partly in response to the draft accounts which showed a loss for the second year running. However, you will note that we hold over £2,000 in our investment account by way of reserve. We dipped into that last year when we bought new bidding boxes, and we are likely to use it again this year and next year as some of our tables are in need of replacement, though the number has yet to be determined. At this stage, having held the current year’s sub at £5, I am just advising you that we may consider an increase next year depending on where the reserve position moves to.

Now, onto a very important part of my report when, on behalf of the members, I thank those people who have made and continue to make significant contributions to the running of Lingwood.

We have two members of the Committee standing down this year. David Sparkes and Michael Vandome have provided considerable common wisdom and support to the Club for many years and will continue to be members. They have many other calls on their time and have decided to step aside for some “new blood”. I want to draw attention to the fact that Michael has served on the Lingwood committee for many years. In recognition of that Michael has graciously accepted our invitation to present this year’s prizes.

Next - my thanks once again go to Judith, Ted and Bill who operate the duplimating machine for the consortium of five clubs. They set aside a lot of time so that the archaic days of “shuffle and deal” drift further into the past. We do appreciate that.

I am also very grateful to the directors panel run by Bill West. John Williams, Michael Vandome and David Bunn have stood down from regular duties but Ivan McLauchlan, David Sparkes and Joan McGuffin have joined the team. I never fail to be impressed at their unflappability in managing table movements, keeping time and adjudicating on issues …. whilst still playing their own game.

I also wish to thank Bill and Judith for scoring our evenings - also David Bunn and David Sparkes who step in from time to time.

Thanks also to John Williams for selecting players to represent Lingwood in county competitions and to those who volunteer to play. Last year was a good year with our teams coming first in the Club Trophy, 6^th in the Fletcher and 7^th in the Ray Cornell Trophy. I encourage all members to take part if asked.

And finally I want to thank the rest of the committee – Richard, Sue and Judith - who are all prepared to stand for another year. Subject to members ratification later in the meeting we will be joined by Chris Mann and Stuart Wildig. With your support we will endeavour to steward the Club seamlessly through the next year. 

And last, but not least, my thanks go to you, the membership for your support and encouragement, and for helping to make Lingwood Bridge Club a club that people want to join. That is testimony to you all.

5. TREASURER’S REPORT

The Treasurer gave the following report:

I would like to thank Kingsley Matthews for undertaking the independent examination of the accounts for so many years that nobody can remember just how many. He has now stood down and David Sparkes has agreed to take over the role.

The result for the year shows a loss of £99.98 following a loss of £226.02 last year.

The loss is accounted for by the increase in the cost of prizes but this has been partially offset by an increase of 6% in session fees (including visitors).  Average tables in 2015/16 rose from 9.8 to 10.8.  Unfortunately the attendance has dropped back a little in the first few weeks of 2016/17.

There was no unusual expenditure in 2015-16.  As flagged last year, the rent increased by 5.5%, the first increase for several years. 

As David Sparkes has kindly agreed to take on the independent examination of the accounts we reviewed our procedures.  The only change has been to include the Children in Need receipts and payments passing through the club’s accounts in the final statement.  In order to give a direct comparison the 2015 figures have been adjusted.  Payment for SIMs had already been included in the P2P charge from the EBU.

Lingwood continues to manage the fund to pay for machine maintenance and consumables associated with the production of computer dealt hands. The fund stood at £1740 at the end of 2015/16.  Clubs will continue to contribute £120pa for each set of boards until there is sufficient to fund the purchase of a replacement machine – approx £2500.

Statement of accounts attached (page 5)

Proposed by: Mr J. Williams   Seconded by: Mrs C. Mann

6. ELECTION OF OFFICERS AND COMMITTEE

Chris Mann and Stuart Wildig have been nominated for the Committee vacant posts, following the resignations of David Sparkes and Michael Vandome and were duly elected.

All other Officers and other Committee members have agreed to stand for a further year and were re-elected.

7.  PRESENTATION OF PRIZES

Michael Vandome presented the prizes for the competitions which had taken place during the year. (list attached – page 4).

8.  ANY OTHER BUSINESS

Mr Williams said that he wished to stand down as the person choosing players for County events. He kindly offered to select a replacement and work with him/her for a suitable period.

Mr Williams proposed a vote of thanks to the Committee, which was endorsed by those members present.

There being no further business, the Chairman closed the meeting at 7.30pm.