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1
Deal & Dover Duplicate Bridge Club
Annual General Meeting held on 30th April 2025 - Draft Minutes
1. 19 Members attended the AGM.
Apologies were received from: Steve Bispham, Martine Wells, Suzanne le Chevalier, Alan Everitt, Pauline Lackie, Tony Beacham, Jenny Webb, Christine Symons,
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Mark Benson, Avril Penrose, Doug Smith, Kathy Higgins, Christine Rutherford, Finula Pepper.
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2. Adoption of Minutes of AGM of the 24th April 2024. Doc 1
Paul Rutherford proposed the minutes, seconded by Julian Stowell.
3. Minutes & Matters Arising from minutes of the 24thApril 2024
Andrew Gregory (AG) advised that there were no matters arising that were not covered in the agenda.
With only 19 members in attendance it was questioned if the AGM was quorate.
Pam Whitehead (PW) checked the Constitution of April 2023, and there was no reference to any quorum.
4. Chairman’s report. AG presented his report to the members present.
Fellow Bridge players. It is good to see so many members present today. The past year has been reasonably successful. We have experienced a 14% increase
in tables over the previous year and the Committee hopes that, with your support, there will be a further increase in tables over the coming year. If you have friends
who do not play at our club, please encourage them to give us a go.
As a club, we are being noticed on the National and County scene. We entered a team in the Arnold Cup for the first time and lost in the quarterfinals to a strong
team from Tunbridge Wells. In the National SIMs pairs’ events we had 4 top 10 finishes in the four events we entered.
Teas continue to be available, and I would like to thank Jan for ensuring that we are well stocked in biscuits and milk and also thanks to Christine Rutherford for her
help more recently.
The Whatsapp group continues to be embraced for the purpose of finding a partner and I encourage more members to utilise the group for this purpose.
It is the Committee’s objective to play a minimum of 24 boards per session, whilst at the same time to have sufficient stationary pairs to cater for the less mobile – I
believe we achieved that in the past year.
We replaced some bidding cards in the past year and now have a full set of movement cards.
I should like to say a huge thanks to my committee for making my job, as Chair, so much easier. Thanks to Brenda, for acting as Treasurer and plying me with coffee
on my numerous visits to her house. Thanks also to Bill and more latterly David for acting as our Director. Paul, your efforts as our main scorer are much appreciated.
- Pat, thank you for your helpful advice and keeping our web site up to date. Finally, to Pam, in her first year as Secretary, has made huge progress sorting out our
operational processes. I would like to add a special thanks to Pam for ensuring that we were properly set up for this AGM whilst I was away swanning around Africa.
In addition to the Committee, it is great to see all members lending a hand setting up the tables, keeping the kitchen clean and clearing up afterwards.
5. Treasurers report. Doc 2
AG presented the report on behalf of Brenda Wood. There were no questions on the accounts
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Keith Salvage proposed & Linda Hoptroff seconded the accounts.
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AG thanked Christine Rutherford for auditing the accounts and Linda Hoptroff for helping with the format.
Last year, the decision was taken not to increase table money, committee was hopeful to break even. In 2024/25 there was an excess of expenditure over income
of £455.56. You will see in the accounts a separate fund ‘Ron Wright’ this is the residue of funds donated by the late Ron Wright to purchase equipment for the
Club and stood at £917.13 on 31st March 2025. The overall club funds stood at £5027.17 on the 31st March 2025.
AG advised that although the club remains reasonably financially healthy it cannot afford to see any further erosion.
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6. Proposed Budget and Assumptions. Doc’s 3 & 4
In Nov - Dec last year it became clear to the Committee that club would not break even in the year and for this reason commissioned a Budget for 2025/26 which is
Doc 3.
The principal assumption is that table money should increase from £3 to £4 with immediate effect which should show a surplus of £1k for 2025/26.
Mike Burney-Cumming suggested losses related to Sims events, and therefore not sure there is a need or desire to justify playing these, but good to show and
consider the position of these.
David Cock asked if there is a suggestion to maintain and keep a surplus, surely not to increase but to have sufficient funds to replace equipment, what is a healthy
surplus V bank balance cushion.
7. Future Club Competitions, SIMs & Charitable Events. Doc 5
AG went through the three current competitions with proposed changes.
a. Club Championship – awarded to pair that, subject to qualifying rules, has best overall performance over the year. No change proposed
b. John Housego – awarded to pair who win the ‘Summer Bridge” competiton – No change proposed.
c. The George Pilcher Trophy, based on handicaps, this has been awarded to thelady who performs best over the season taking into account a handicap.
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Proposed to change this to a single handicapped event in October, awarded to the leading pair (with handicap included) open to all members of the club.
d. Proposed that in future, competitions and rules be set by the committee and advised to members at the AGM.
e. The Members, on a vote, endorsed the Committee’s recommended changes.
EBU SIMs events. Written into the current Constitution are 4 EBU SIM’s events, Doc 5 shows the effects of holding SIMS on the budget, making a loss rather than a
surplus on a club session.
The Committee feel that the demand from members for SIM’s is mixed, some enjoy being able to compare their results to players across the country, with others not
liking the forum.
The Committee are suggesting:
a. To increase table money for these events to £5.00 to help meet the extra cost of
£3.40 per player charged by the EBU
b. That the number of SIM’s be reduced from 4 to 2 per year and this is
accommodated in the proposed budget in Doc 3.
AG asked for comments.
Julian Stowell agreed with £5 for table money, Mike Burney-Cummings suggested not running any SIM’s, Paul Rutherford proposed going with 2 SIM’s this year as the
middle ground with the committee reviewing before the 2026 AGM.
Members present agreed to the proposal to charge £5 per player and go with 2 this bridge year – 1 already played on the 9th April 25.
The Committee feels it is more relevant to run a charity event supporting a local charity rather that an EBU ECAT’s charity events in future, this was agreed.
8. Proposed Subscription and Table Money
Members agreed to the Committee proposal to increase table money for normal club sessions to £4.00, to leave annual subscriptions at £5 and to increase visitors
table money to £6.00
9. Report on Membership
PW advised the current membership stands at 63, 10 new members have joined since the last AGM.
10.Election of the Committee
Existing committee members, Andrew Gregory, Pam Whitehead, Paul Rutherford and Pat Welsh had all indicated their wiliness to stand for another year, and were
duly elected, with Andrew and Pam remaining in their current officer roles.
Brenda Wood stepped down as Treasurer, Christine Bruce expressed her willingness to act as Treasurer and was elected to this role.
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To further support the committee David Cock and Mike Burney-Cumming were elected.
11.Adoption of Club Constitution Docs 6 & 7
It is proposed to use the EBU format for our Club Constitution, (Doc 6) a draft was circulated some time ago. Following this Mike Burney-Cumming, Bill Gardner and
Doug Smith proposed some amendments (Doc 7) relating to items highlighted inyellow in Doc 6. The Committee asked the Members to approve the Constitution
with these amendments. This was carried by the members.
12.Proposed changes to winter playing times. Doc 8
The committee had received a proposal from Jan Salvage, seconded by Nes Charles to change the times of play during the winter months, bringing the start time
forward by an hour to 1.00pm. The committee supported a change but proposed a start time of 1.30pm with the club open for setting up etc from 1.00pm.
Linda Hoptroff suggested making this change all year round, but it was agreed to trial a 1.30 start from the end of British Summer time for 2025-26 & review.
13.Any other business
There was no other business from the members.
Competition winner and awards.
AG advised of the following results events for the 2024-25 bridge year.
John Housego – Summer Pairs Event – Won by Jan & Andrew Gregory
The Club Championship – awarded to the pair that has the best overall result during the year.
5th– Christine Symons & Margaret Andrews
4th– Bill Gardner & Elaine Cartledge
3rd– Bill Gardner & Nes Charles
2nd- Jan & Andrew Gregory
1st– David Cock & Mark Benson with 60.8%
George Pilcher Trophy – won by best lady player subject to handicapping system.
5th– Pam Whitehead
4th– Margaret Andrews
3rd– Peachie Liley
2nd– Marie Genin
1st– Jenny Wall with 53.81 %
AG wished to personally recognise some members, Brenda Wood for stepping up in the Clubs hour of need as treasurer, David Cock for supporting the club as TD over
the past 5 months and Pam Whitehead for reorganising admin processes.
AGM closed at 2.00pm
1
Deal & Dover Duplicate Bridge Club
Annual General Meeting held on 30
th
April 2025
1. 19 Members attended the AGM.
Apologies were received from: Steve Bispham, Martine Wells, Suzanne le Chevalier,
Alan Everitt, Pauline Lackie, Tony Beacham, Jenny Webb, Christine Symons, Mark
Benson, Avril Penrose, Doug Smith, Kathy Higgins, Christine Rutherford, Finula
Pepper.
2. Adoption of Minutes of AGM of the 24
th
April 2024. Doc 1
Paul Rutherford proposed the minutes, seconded by Julian Stowell.
3. Minutes & Matters Arising from minutes of the 24
th
April 2024
Andrew Gregory (AG) advised that there were no matters arising that were not
covered in the agenda.
With only 19 members in attendance it was questioned if the AGM was quorate.
Pam Whitehead (PW) checked the Constitution of April 2023, and there was no
reference to any quorum.
4. Chairman’s report. AG presented his report to the members present.
Fellow Bridge players.
It is good to see so many members present today.
The past year has been reasonably successful. We have experienced a 14% increase
in tables over the previous year and the Committee hopes that, with your support,
there will be a further increase in tables over the coming year. If you have friends
who do not play at our club, please encourage them to give us a go.
As a club, we are being noticed on the National and County scene. We entered a
team in the Arnold Cup for the first time and lost in the quarterfinals to a strong
team from Tunbridge Wells. In the National SIMs pairs’ events we had 4 top 10
finishes in the four events we entered.
Teas continue to be available, and I would like to thank Jan for ensuring that we are
well stocked in biscuits and milk and also thanks to Christine Rutherford for her
help more recently.
The whatsapp group continues to be embraced for the purpose of finding a partner
and I encourage more members to utilise the group for this purpose.
It is the Committee’s objective to play a minimum of 24 boards per session, whilst
at the same time to have sufficient stationary pairs to cater for the less mobile – I
believe we achieved that in the past year.
We replaced some bidding cards in the past year and now have a full set of
movement cards.
I should like to say a huge thanks to my committee for making my job, as Chair, so
much easier. Thanks to Brenda, for acting as Treasurer and plying me with coffee
on my numerous visits to her house. Thanks also to Bill and more latterly David for
acting as our Director. Paul, your efforts as our main scorer are much appreciated.
2
Pat, thank you for your helpful advice and keeping our web site up to date. Finally,
to Pam, in her first year as Secretary, has made huge progress sorting out our
operational processes. I would like to add a special thanks to Pam for ensuring that
we were properly set up for this AGM whilst I was away swanning around Africa.
In addition to the Committee, it is great to see all members lending a hand setting
up the tables, keeping the kitchen clean and clearing up afterwards.
5. Treasurers report. Doc 2
AG presented the report on behalf of Brenda Wood.
There were no questions on the accounts, Keith Savage proposed & Linda Hoptroff
seconded the accounts. AG thanked Christine Rutherford for auditing the accounts
and Linda Hoptroff for helping with the format.
Last year, the decision was taken not to increase table money, committee was
hopeful to break even. In 2024/25 there was an excess of expenditure over income
of £455.56. You will see in the accounts a separate fund ‘Ron Wright’ this is the
residue of funds donated by the late Ron Wright to purchase equipment for the
Club and stood at £917.13 on 31
st
March 2025. The overall club funds stood at
£5027.17 on the 31
st
March 2025.
AG advised that although the club remains reasonably financially healthy it cannot
afford to see any further erosion.
6. Proposed Budget and Assumptions. Doc’s 3 & 4
In Nov - Dec last year it became clear to the Committee that club would not break
even in the year and for this reason commissioned a Budget for 2025/26 which is
Doc 3.
The principal assumption is that table money should increase from £3 to £4 with
immediate effect which should show a surplus of £1k for 2025/26.
Mike Burney-Cumming suggested losses related to Sims events, and therefore not
sure there is a need or desire to justify playing these, but good to show and
consider the position of these.
David Cock asked if there is a suggestion to maintain and keep a surplus, surely not
to increase but to have sufficient funds to replace equipment, what is a healthy
surplus V bank balance cushion.
7. Future Club Competitions, SIMs & Charitable Events. Doc 5
AG went through the three current competitions with proposed changes.
a. Club Championship – awarded to pair that, subject to qualifying rules, has best
overall performance over the year. No change proposed
b. John Housego – awarded to pair who win the ‘Summer Bridge” competiton – No
change proposed.
c. The George Pilcher Trophy, based on handicaps, this has been awarded to the
lady who performs best over the season taking into account a handicap.
3
Proposed to change this to a single handicapped event in October, awarded to
the leading pair (with handicap included) open to all members of the club.
d. Proposed that in future, competitions and rules be set by the committee and
advised to members at the AGM.
e. The Members, on a vote, endorsed the Committee’s recommended changes.
EBU SIMs events. Written into the current Constitution are 4 EBU SIM’s events,
Doc 5 shows the effects of holding SIMS on the budget, making a loss rather than a
surplus on a club session.
The Committee feel that the demand from members for SIM’s is mixed, some enjoy
being able to compare their results to players across the country, with others not
liking the forum.
The Committee are suggesting:
a. To increase table money for these events to £5.00 to help meet the extra cost of
£3.40 per player charged by the EBU
b. That the number of SIM’s be reduced from 4 to 2 per year and this is
accommodated in the proposed budget in Doc 3.
AG asked for comments.
Julian Stowell agreed with £5 for table money, Mike Burney-Cummings suggested
not running any SIM’s, Paul Rutherford proposed going with 2 SIM’s this year as the
middle ground with the committee reviewing before the 2026 AGM.
Members present agreed to the proposal to charge £5 per player and go with 2 this
bridge year – 1 already played on the 9
th
April 25.
The Committee feels it is more relevant to run a charity event supporting a local
charity rather that an EBU ECAT’s charity events in future, this was agreed.
8. Proposed Subscription and Table Money
Members agreed to the Committee proposal to increase table money for normal
club sessions to £4.00, to leave annual subscriptions at £5 and to increase visitors
table money to £6.00
9. Report on Membership
PW advised the current membership stands at 63, 10 new members have joined
since the last AGM.
10.Election of the Committee
Existing committee members, Andrew Gregory, Pam Whitehead, Paul Rutherford
and Pat Welsh had all indicated their wiliness to stand for another year, and were
duly elected, with Andrew and Pam remaining in their current officer roles.
Brenda Wood stepped down as Treasurer, Christine Bruce expressed her
willingness to act as Treasurer and was elected to this role.
-
4
To further support the committee David Cock and Mike Burney-Cumming were
elected.
11.Adoption of Club Constitution Docs 6 & 7
It is proposed to use the EBU format for our Club Constitution, (Doc 6) a draft was
circulated some time ago. Following this Mike Burney-Cumming, Bill Gardner and
Doug Smith proposed some amendments (Doc 7) relating to items highlighted in
yellow in Doc 6. The Committee asked the Members to approve the Constitution
with these amendments. This was carried by the members.
12.Proposed changes to winter playing times. Doc 8
The committee had received a proposal from Jan Salvage, seconded by Nes Charles
to change the times of play during the winter months, bringing the start time
forward by an hour to 1.00pm. The committee supported a change but proposed a
start time of 1.30pm with the club open for setting up etc from 1.00pm.
Linda Hoptroff suggested making this change all year round, but it was agreed to
trial a 1.30 start from the end of British Summer time for 2025-26 & review.
13.Any other business
There was no other business from the members.
Competition winner and awards.
AG advised of the following results events for the 2024-25 bridge year.
John Housego – Summer Pairs Event – Won by Jan & Andrew Gregory
The Club Championship – awarded to the pair that has the best overall result
during the year.
5
th
– Christine Symons & Margaret Andrews
4
th
– Bill Gardner & Elaine Cartledge
3
rd
– Bill Gardner & Nes Charles
2
nd
- Jan & Andrew Gregory
1
st
– David Cock & Mark Benson with 60.8%
George Pilcher Trophy – won by best lady player subject to handicapping system.
5
th
– Pam Whitehead
4
th
– Margaret Andrews
3
rd
– Peachie Liley
2
nd
– Marie Genin
1
st
– Jenny Wall with 53.81 %
AG wished to personally recognise some members, Brenda Wood for stepping up in
the Clubs hour of need as treasurer, David Cock for supporting the club as TD over
the past 5 months and Pam Whitehead for reorganising admin processes.
AGM closed at 2.00pm