Rugby Bridge Club Management Committee

Minutes of Meeting held at 12 Manor Road Kilsby

on 12^th May 2014

Present:

Wendy Pattinson  (Chair)

Philip Shorey

Anne Carrington

David Hicks

Janet Chappell

Apologies received from, Peter Langley, David Owen, Chris Malthouse and , Terry Bradbury.

1. MCM minutes of 16^th April 2014;

The minutes were formally approved.

2. Matters Arising not elsewhere on the Agenda
   1. Search for New Premises.  St. Andrews RFC.

Phil Shorey informed the Committee that he had met with members of the club but unfortunately the building and opening of the new Crematorium and other requirements for the land previously available meant that there was no scope for the original proposals to be developed.

2. Saturday Morning Training Sessions

Wendy reported that Sue Osborne having looked at the EBU guide to training  was of the view that consideration should be given to using their guide for the club’s teaching sessions .and if supported would  prepare detailed proposals to the Committee for approval.   In the discussion that followed it was suggested that this initiative should be published in the Rugby Register.

David Hicks said that following on from the meeting on the 16^th April 2014 when there had been discussion and concerned expressed at the falling numbers for the training sessions it was agreed that the membership would be approached to ascertain their views.  He said he had prepared a communication to do this, had sought an input from Chris but had heard nothing from him, possibly because of holiday commitments.

Action:           David Hicks/Chris Malthouse and Wendy Pattinson.

3. Senior Tournament Director.

The Committee were informed that in response to the approach made to all the current qualified TD’s to take over the role of Senior TD in the place of Peter Iredale who had indicated his intention to step down from the position on attaining 80 years of age in June, two had responded to say that they were not ready for such a role and only Graham Lightfoot had responded positively.

It was agreed that Graham would be invited to take on the role.

Action:           David Hicks

4. Annual Dinner

The Committee were advised that David Owen had made contact with Newbold Rugger Club who had indicated that  the dinner could  be held at their club and David would be asked to pursue this for an Autumn event.

Action:           David Owen

5. Awards and Trophies

In the absence of Terry Bradbury there was nothing to report although it was known that he had been actively trying to gather them in for engraving and presentation at the AGM.

Action:           Terry Bradbury

(vi)      Membership Update

Anne Carrington gave an update on membership numbers and informed the Committee that the numbers had now dropped to 144 from a previous high of 164.

  Action:         Anne Carrington

(vi)Novice Competition

Phil Shorey reported that since the last meeting Sue Osborne  had given consideration to the suggestion made that there should be a Novice Competition.

Her thoughts were that it should be a 24 board Pairs Competition open to all members in the club who were EBU Area Masters or below at the date of the competition and should be an evening event with a 'Bring and Share' supper (at 6pm) followed by play commencing at 7pm.   EBU master points to be awarded and consideration would need to be given to an appropriate Trophy for the competition.

To be played in the Autumn with suggested venues being either the Sacred Heart or Clifton.

The Committee expressed their support for the suggestions made by Sue for which she was thanked and would look to take the initiative forward.

Action:          Phil Shorey

3. Finance

Phil Shorey informed the Committee that the accounts were with the Auditor.

4. Bridge Sessions

Reference was made to a recent experiment at a Tuesday and Thursday session to only show the rolling bridge results towards the end of the evening and the view was expressed that it had been a successful experiment because it was limiting the amount of movement within the venue between boards being played and unnecessary conversation with regard to relative positions in the early rounds of the session.

It was agreed that the experiment would be continued and the members attending the Friday session would be invited to express their view.

            Action:          Tournament Directors/David Hicks

5.         Hillmorton Ex-Servicemen’s Club -Thursday Evening Refreshments

In response to a question as to why the tea and coffee facilities were no longer being provided by the Steward, Phil Shorey advised the Committee that the Steward had said he was unhappy with the current arrangement and no longer wished to provide the service, but was quite prepared to supply hot water.

He assured the Committee that the Steward had not asked for more money for the service at any time and he did not offer it either.  If the Steward had done so he would have agreed it subject to approval by the Committee.

6.         Courtesies at Bridge Sessions

            The Committee in discussing a recent bridge session where there were issues with regard to tables being made available to members with physical or eyesight limitations being allowed to play bridge sit at tables to suit their particular needs.

            The Committee were unanimous in their view that such recognition should be given and the TDs would be written to ask them to bear this in mind when determining movements at the session and lighting facilities.

            Action:          David Hicks

7.         Invitation to International Bridge Player

            David Hicks advised the Committee that Graham Lightofoot had indicated that an International Bridge player would be very pleased to attend and take part in one of the club’s sessions.

            The Committee said they would be delighted to welcome the person concerned as they would to all visitors who wished to attend one of the club’s sessions.             

            Action:          David Hicks

8.         EBU/County liaison role.

            The Committee’s attention was drawn to the fact that there was no one within the club who had responsibility for maintaining the liaison role with the EBU/County/.  It was known that Graham Lightfoot  who already had considerable contact with the EBU and County could be interested in taking on this role on behalf of the club but it was decided that it would be perhaps prudent to see what nominations there were for committee membership before coming to a final decision.

            Action:          David Hicks

9.         Date of AGM and Agenda

            Reference was made to the fact that the AGM was programmed to take place on the 10^th June but the Chairman had asked if it was possible to defer the date to the 17^th June.  The suggested alternative date it was known was not entirely suitable for others and it was determined that the original date should remain unchanged.  The suggested agenda for the meeting was approved.

10.       AOB

1. Sponsored Teams in the Coventry League

The Committee referred to previous discussions with regard to teams playing in the Coventry Leagues and being sponsored by the club.  The view was strongly expressed and supported that such teams should be clearly identified as being a team from Rugby Bridge Club and that it was not unreasonable to expect them to report their results occasionally and to submit an item for inclusion  in the News Lettter to inform members how they were getting on.   It was also suggested that the teams sponsored should not simply be a group of friends who wished to play together but skilled members who could be competitive within that league.

            Action:          David Hicks/Wendy Pattinson/Phil Shorey

11.       Date of next meeting.

 No date was fixed and this would be determined following the AGM.