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Chairman’s Report 2019/20

A slight improvement in attendances has made it easier to put together viable bridge movements during the year and the Club is in excellent financial health with adequate reserves for foreseeable future events.

Membership increased during the year but unfortunately so did the average age of our members!

During the year we suffered a high level of bridge divorces and have not been good at either partner finding or conflict resolution. Partner finding works well in some clubs and maybe we should just lock in to the facility provided by Bridgewebs.

We acquired a new Director during the year and at a stroke reduced the average age of our Directing pool by several years.

We suffered an inflation busting rent increase during the year and have to date taken no action to test the market since our location is good for a proportion of our members but the year has seen problems with heating and there is an ongoing issue with the lack of sound damping.

During the year we lost the hosting of the BBA Swiss Pairs event so there is now a shift back towards Bedford in the County events. The idea of the County going on tour for a few events was sound and we and Wardown each hosted an event. In the past couple of years a few Bedford souls have complained about the distance they have to travel to LBBC for this event. Odd really because it is about the same as the distance we have to travel for 16 or so events a year at Wixams!

The Club is grateful for the efforts of a few people in setting up and stripping down the room for club nights. In particular, thanks are due to Trevor Dawe and David Pritchard for their early evening efforts and to the Marshes and Bligh’s at the back end of the events. Also, a general thank you to all members of the Committee for their efforts during the year.

Our attempts at providing a host system were only partially successful in that many of our partnerships are exclusive and longstanding and that when a host offers himself to the group, it is his regular partner who bears the burden. This needs more work.

Peter Malpass

February 2020

LBBC Treasurer’s Report 2019

A small increase in average numbers and one extra week of play resulted in extra income of £187.

Expenditure rose by £317 with hall hire accounting for the major increase. The weekly rent has increased by 20% as from 1^st September.

County affiliation is now shown separately from P2P and competition entry costs are down to reduced number of sims events played.

The final result is a small surplus of £227. Looking ahead to 2020 then if playing numbers remain the same the effect of the increased hall hire costs

for the whole year will result in a deficit of approx. £100.

Many thanks go to Judi and Penny for their tireless work in collecting subscriptions and table money, providing refreshments and clearing away each night.

Andrew Mason

Leighton Buzzard Bridge Club 

Minutes of Annual General Meeting held on  3 March 2014 at the Rugby Club

The meeting commenced at 7pm.

1.  Apologies for absence

Received from Janet Derek Tony Hilary Ted Ian and John Brown

2. Minutes of AGM held on 4^th Mar 2013

Approval was proposed by Stephen Bligh and seconded by Peter Malpass.

3. Matters arising

There were no matters arising

4. Chairmans Report

The chairman commented that last year had been much less eventful than the previous one. We had now settled down in our new venue and thanks were given to Eric for the interface he provides between us and the Rugby Club and to Dave the caretaker for all his help. The biggest change was the clubs decision to play on bank holidays and this has proved viable socially if not financially and  is therefore expected to continue.

Membership has stayed fairly static at around 60 members. We continue to enter teams into the BBA teams of 4 and 8 and LB is always represented in all BBA events. Thanks go to Peter Malpass who organises and cajoles members into taking part.

The committe are currently working on 2 projects. Firstly the possibility of bridge lessons in the bar area and secondly the completion of a lottery grant application. Rising costs cause us to look at ways of increasing our takings and trimming our expenses.

Thanks were given to all the directors throughout the year, to those who ensure the boards turn up, to Penny for supplying our food and drink, and to the committee and all helpers who do the jobs which enable things to go smoothly each week. Special thanks to Stephen for his scoring, uploading results, ascenders and slammers competitions.The club is very appreciative of his skills.

5. Treasurers report

Copies of the accounts were distributed to the meeting. The treasurer advised that our income had decreased by £300 during the year.

The treasurer thanked Cameron Cooke for auditing the accounts.

Approval of the accounts was proposed by John Bateman and seconded by Alan White

6. Club Finances

The club needs to balance the books and a review of the finances suggests that we need an average of 9 tables per week to cover all our costs. It was proposed to put up the table money to £3 per week and to reduce the amount of prize vouchers. Some discussion took place about increasing the membership subscription next year if needed. The meeting voted in favour of the increase.

7. Lottery Grant Application

We have applied for approx £4000 and can only hope that we are successful.

8. Changes to the Constitution – Membership

Rule 5. was amended to read that membership of the club commences on receipt of the annual subscription.

The changes were agreed.  Proposed P Malpass. Seconded Stephen Bligh

9. Changes to competition rules – Club Championship

It was proposed that the club championship should be a single winner Howell movement. The winner would take the Trophy and the runners up the plate.

Proposed Colin O,Hara, seconded Stephen Bligh

The following trophies were presented

Howell Trophy                                  Bob and Terry

Charity Shield                                   Alison and John Brown

Gilling Trophy                                   Liz Dawes and Tony Bolton

Slammer of the Year                         Janet and Derek Marsh

Ascenders (last 6 months)                 Bob Brown

Club Championship                           Janet and Derek Marsh

8. Any other business

There was no other business.

The meeting closed at 7.35pm.