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"Good evening, everyone. When I spoke this time last year, I said that I hoped that the next twelve months would see the club returning to stability and financial security. At this time last year, we were getting about 7.5 tables each Monday. This year so far we have had an average of 9.7 tables each session. It's a good improvement, and it takes us past our current financial break-even point, which is about 9 tables. I'll let the Treasurer say a little more about the Club's finances, but to me it looks like the Club has turned the corner and should be back in the black this year, provided our costs don't escalate. It is particularly good to see so many new members join the club.
"Claygate has stayed alive thanks to your continuing support, to the people such as Mike who arrive early each time, not just to claim their favourite seat but also to help set the tables. My special thanks to all the members of committee, to our two directors, Rowena and John, and to our scorer, Carol.
"The Christmas Party was again a success, for which I must again thank the committee, particularly Rowena for spending even less on food than in the previous year.
"The club struggles to get volunteers for posts on the committee. I don't believe we have had any nominations for the next committee besides the current six incumbents. I believe all six of us are prepared to stand to enable the Club to survive for another year, but this really is the end of the road. I ask you all again to consider helping the Club by joining the Committee.
"The rules of contract bridge were devised back in 1925 by Harold Vanderbilt as he went on a steamship cruise to Havana. No doubt the bridge authorities around the world will make a big thing of the centenary to come in 2025. It would be wonderful to see Claygate well prepared to celebrate this milestone under the leadership of a new committee. Arguably all the infrastructure is there; I think we're as technologically advanced as any other club in the area. This could be an opportunity for a new leader to take the club in perhaps a new direction: we don't run as many competitions as we could, we don't play against other clubs, we don't currently do any teaching. All of this could change if we had some new volunteers.
"Finally we need to hand out two prizes. We restarted the Club Championship last August. Sheila and John got an early lead, which they maintained to the end of 2022. But they were overtaken in January by Bob and Robin, who then confirmed their lead with a strong performance in the final round last month."
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