Loddon Vale Bridge Club
Minutes of the 39th Annual General Meeting held at
Radstock Lane Community Centre on 25th April 2019
1. Apologies for Absence:
Kay Quinn, Chris Shambrook, Rosemary O’Donnell
2. Minutes of the last AGM:
The minutes were proposed by Georgio Jeronimidis and seconded by Chris Byron.
3. Matters arising:
It was confirmed that the rent negotiations were concluded satisfactorily.
4. Chairmans Report
Membership is slightly up this year. Last year 62 now 68 with three applications in process.
Table numbers slightly down this year – from 9.5 to 8.75. The break-even number remains at about 9.
Problems with heating have been resolved. Parking – things have improved slightly
Paul believes Loddon is both a competitive and a friendly club. This year a free trial has been introduced in order to attract new members and this seems to have been welcomed.
The weekend away in Cheltenham was very successful. Paul thanked Mary for her help in organising the weekendand congratulated Chris Shambrook for winning the Victor Ludorum. He explained that this year the weekend will again be held in Bournemouth in a new venue – The Norfolk Royale Hotel. So far 61 people are attending but more are welcome.
Paul then thanked: Anthony for captaining the Berks & Bucks team and for organising the quiz: Elaine for organising the directors rota: Liz (Clark) for doing the teas and refreshments: Liz (Unsworth) for acting as treasurer and keeping the clubs finances in control: Simon (Porter) for auditing the accounts – and for playing with him!: Chris Shambrook for his secretarial duties: Chris (Hopkins) for dealing the boards and acting as technical director: Jim for keeping up the website, acting as technical director, and helping with the weekend.
He thanked all the people who act as hosts and all the directors. He asked that we all treasure our directors!
He thanked everyone who help set up and clear the room on Thursdays.
He thanked all the committee members especially Norma who is standing down after many years’ service. Norma was then presented with a plant in recognition of the years she has spent on the committee.
5. Treasurer’s Report:
Liz (Unsworth) then presented the treasurers report which she described as ‘not exciting’. She reported that the income is stable and the costs under control. She thanked Simon (Porter) for his help in preparing and auditing the accounts.
6. Election of Secretary and Officers for 2019/2020:
Norma is standing down from the committee after many years’ service. Mark (Rivoira) was elected on to the committee without a vote as there was no one else standing.
7. Teams:
Berks & Bucks League Division One: Anthony (Collins) reported that the team did not have a good year and would be playing in division 2 next year. He is now standing down as captain and Simon (Roberts) has agreed to take over. Anthony thanked all the members of the team who had played in the year.
Chiltern League: Paul reported that the team had had a very close year. If they had won the last match, against Newbury, 20 nil they could have won the league. Loddon was up by 12 IMPs at half time but, despite the captain asking the team to do their best to win, to bid thin games and slams and to double everything, they lost the match and ended the year in 4th place. Paul thanked everyone who had played for the team and hoped that they had enjoyed themselves. He congratulated Burnham on winning the league.
8. Amendment to Clubs Constitution re Appeals against Directors Rulings:
Paul reported that, for some months, following a suggestion from a member, we have been looking to formalise our appeals procedure and to keep our directors informed about current EBU thinking. Copies of an appeals procedure which has been adopted successfully by other local clubs were distributed to members and time was given for them to be read. Paul explained that the need to use the procedure would probably be rare but that it is needed ‘just in case’. A vote was taken and the procedure adopted. Seven people abstained. Barry (Read) asked where the Constitution could be found and when it would be amended to include the new procedure. He was told that the Constitution could be found on the website and would be updated in approximately 3 weeks.
9. Any other business:
None
The meeting closed at 7.31
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