Nettleham Bridge Club

EGM Monday 19th October 2026 1:10pm

Minutes

Present - see register list

1. Proposal for Nettleham Bridge Club to join EBU at club level

David Minnis, Club Chairman, explained re the proposal and invited John Hill to provide more information. John delegated this to Alan Millington.

Alan explained that the EBU looks after all matters Bridge and as such it would be sensible for the club to be officially linked. Alan referred to the 'benefits of joining' document which was displayed on the board.

Alan felt the 'pros' included receiving a magazine which has useful articles and helps members develop their Bridge skills, a diary, members only information on the website and the option to collect master points. Alan did not feel there would be a negative impact on Monday's play. The 'con' would be a small increase in cost.

David Minnis invited comments.

Chris Fowler stated he did not feel club level membership was necessary and felt joining could create a change in ethos for what is currently a very friendly club.

Corrine Cole asked whether we would need more directors. At present David Minnis, John Else and Rose Davey are qualified. The club hopes to have some new recruits to this role but the decision re Club EBU membership would not affect this. Linda Barley questioned why we would need to join if it wouldn't make a difference for the majority of members.

Alan Millington stated he felt we should contribute financially to support the EBU. David Minnis advised we do pay them for books etc. John Hill advised re master points being sent to EBU and these go towards ranking and can chart progress. Bridge is competitive. Jean Watson commented that it's a thriving club so why was there a need to change.

John Else also belongs to Bassingham Club which has a lot of EBU members and he feels this has changed and become more competitive. Jo Brundred stated that it's important to consider the needs of younger people who may join in the future.

Michael Seal proposed that dependent on the outcome of the vote to join, rather than a 10 year period until the proposal can be raised again, we instead reduce this to 5 years.

Results of vote for Club EBU membership:

For – 3                Against 52 (inc 13 proxy votes)

Results of vote for proposal to allow item to be raised again in 5 years rather than 10 years:

For - 36 which was a clear majority of members present.

It was therefore unanimously agreed that the club would not join the EBU and this matter would not be discussed again for at least 5 years.

2. Proposal to set up a sub-committee to support the main committee.

Cathy Platt briefly explained re the proposal and the need for someone to take on a health & safety role within the club to check re no hazards / blocks when tables & chairs are put out.  Location of nearest defibrillator was asked - this is the Junior School opposite. Training for use of these is not required as all instructions are provided.

Members felt they required more information in order to vote of the proposal of a sub-committee.

Action - Committee to review proposal & prepare further information if needed.

MINUTES of the NETTLEHAM BRIDGE CLUB

Annual General Meeting on 5 October 2026 at 1.00pm

Present:   49               Apologies received: Hugh Carter, Stephanie Rouse, Lorna Cushnie, Rose Davey, Carmel & Derek Muhl, John Else, Monica Atkinson, Peter Penn, Sheila Holder and Michael Seal.

Minutes of 2025 Meeting- Matters Arising None, these were unanimously accepted.

Chairman’s Report

Shakespeare was quoted by David in his opening remarks, the essence being, we have some 80 members still playing bridge ‘happily’.  Grateful thanks were extended to all those who contributed to vital tasks in the kitchen, provisions& setting up, the furniture, the registration process including (latterly) the Find a Partner App set up by Carol Pask.  The Chairman hoped more members would sign up to make this successful.

The introduction of the Bridgepal digital scoring was down to David, with help from Sally Newlove for sourcing it, then John Hauxwell for ironing out any problems.  David acknowledged the help from Sally Newlove, for her financial expertise.  Thanks too for John Else and Derek Muhl standing in as TD, when required.  Stuart Henderson’s & Cathy’s help with the learner programme and BBO was acknowledged.   To mark her retirement as secretary, Cathy was presented with a card and splendid chrysanthemum plant, which was much appreciated.

Treasurer’s Report

Copies of the Report & Accounts were distributed and the Income & Expenditure sections explained by Sally.  Despite the outlay for the tablets, and new cards, we are in credit and thus the annual membership fee will remain at £5 ppa and table money £2pp. This proposal was seconded and passed nem.com!

Secretary’s Report

Cathy contrasted NBC from twenty years ago to now.  The many positive things that had happened to make this a viable club now, was due to the co-operation, teamwork and efforts of many members, for which we thank everyone.

Election of Officers

Chairman  - No nominations. DM agreed to remain in post – voted nem com.

Treasurer  -No nominations. SN agreed to remain in post – voted nem com.

Secretary –Nominees Sarah Seamer, assistant sec. Kim Buckthorp,both unopposed, so positions accepted and confirmed by majority vote.

Other Officers

Acknowledged were tasks undertaken by Mary and Jan, Patricia, Carol, Rachel, Caroline, John Hauxwell and Stuart – all vital and much appreciated.

Wednesday on-line sessions

Following the membership fee introduced by BBO, the Wed. on-line sessions have been suspended.  Other providers have been explored, RealBridge, Intobridge, plus club membership via EBU. Steps will be taken to re-start these Wednesday evening session by the end of October.

Winter Start/Finish time adjustments

The reasoning behind this request was recognized and dates plus a 15 or 30 minute alteration time wasdiscussed.  However, an earlier start had an impact on players with Monday morning commitments, and some players leaving earlier, would impact the scoring system.Thusthe proposal to alter the starttime  was put to the vote, with 4 in favour and 16 against.  The solution adopted was to play fewer boards in November to end of January and endeavour to quicken up play!

Any Other Business

1. John Hill enquired about outcome on NBC’s EBU status, a matter which was raised at the 2025 AGM.  This item was not included on the Agenda for this year.  David reported that the committee had discussed the range of gains/losses of EBU affiliation.  He recognized that the committee had not had an EGM to discuss this matter in detail, but concluded it was not the right time now to discuss the pros and cons for affiliation at this meeting.  A date in October 2026 would be set for an EGM to resolve the matter.
2.  Chris Fowler raised questions related to H & S, and the capacity of this Large Hall was raised.  With 4 chairs around a table, it was felt 12 tables was a comfortable fit, 14 would be possible, as would 16, if another space for positioning the registration table was found.  An overflow using the small hall was ruled out as being unworkable.
3. No other matters were raised and themeeting closed at 1.45pm and duplicate bridge play commenced.

 Ask Carol Pask to be added to the club Whats App group and post a message to members that you are looking for a partner.

Or speak to the TD on the day and ask them to speak to the members present about availability of partners.

Nettleham Bridge Club Constitution 2019

Contents

1. Aims of the club
2. Personal Data Protection
3. Table Money
4. Officers and Committee
5. Duties of Officers
6. Election of Officers and Committee
7. Annual General Meetings
8. Special General Meetings
9. Voting
10. Guests and Visitors
11. Winding-up

1 Aims of the club

   AIMS

The aim of Nettleham Bridge Club shall be to promote friendship and fellowship amongst individuals who enjoy playing and learning about the game of Bridge

MEMBERSHIP

Membership shall be open to any player of bridge who contacts the secretary or is introduced by a member. The capacity of the meeting room dictates the maximum number of tables and members that can play on club nights. Should applications be received over the rooms’ capacity, a booking list may be opened. 

 MEETINGS

Place:  In Nettleham village at the Old School Rooms, Mill Hill.     Time:  1.30pm to 4.30pm.

Frequency:   The club meet weekly on a Monday afternoon throughout the year in the large hall.

Publicity about the club is found on Village Notice boards and website www.bridgewebs.com/nettleham

2 Personal data protection

Being a member of the Bridge Section and acceptance of the club rules will be deemed to constitute consent to the holding of relevant personal data solely for communication within the bridge club. On ceasing to be a member all personal data relating to the member shall be permanently deleted from the data base.

3 Table money and Fees

The joining fee and annual subscription is due the first meeting following the Annual General Meeting and this sum is assessed, and confirmed at the AGM.  A membership list is then made up for that year.  There is also a subscription called table money and this sum is fixed at a level to ensure rental for the meeting room and any costs required for renewal of equipment is covered and to allow the club to continue to be financially viable. This may be adjusted on recommendation by the treasurer for subsequent years. Any player who joins the club part way through the year will pay a fee pro-rata of the normal full year amount as determined by the treasurer.

4 Officers and Committee

a) All Officers shall be elected annually by ballot at the AGM and shall be eligible for re-election.
Officers are currently, Chairman / Tournament Director, Secretary, and Treasurer.

b) Committee Members are currently Scorer and Social Secretary and shall be elected by ballot to be held at the AGM. Committee Members shall be eligible for re-election annually.

c) Any person ceasing to be a member of the Bridge Section shall automatically cease to be an Officer and/or a Committee Member

5 Duties of Officers

a) CHAIRMAN. The chairman shall preside at all meetings of the Bridge Section. In their absence the meeting shall elect one of the other Officers to act as Chairman for that meeting. The Chairman will also have the responsibility of Tournament Director and direct the weekly sessions of bridge in accordance with nationally recognised rules of play. Other members may support the chairman in directing sessions as necessary.

b) SECRETARY. The Secretary shall be responsible for day to day administration, drafting and circulating notices, agendas and minutes which are subject to the Chairman’s approval. The Secretary will also deal with correspondence. If appropriate an Assistant Secretary can be added to the Section Committee to help the Secretary. The Assistant Secretary may attend meetings but will not be able to vote. 

c) TREASURER. The Treasurer shall be responsible for collecting and managing all monies. The Treasurer shall keep accounts, documents and papers relating to the Bridge Section and will make these available to the Committee when directed. Once the full annual accounts are completed, they are to be independently scrutinised by a suitable person who is not a member of the club. The verified accounts should then be presented to the committee as soon as reasonably possible. The completed annual accounts should subsequently be made available to any members who request them.

6 Elections of Officers and Committee

a) The Committee shall conduct the general business of the Club, preside over election of officers, and maintain the conduct of the Bridge Section in conformity with accepted EBU practice.

b) Every candidate for office shall be proposed and seconded by members entitled to vote. The candidate must have paid the current subscription and must have been a member for the previous 12 months and be not less than 21
years of age. 

c) Each member of the Bridge Section shall have one vote for each vacancy and no member shall give more than one vote to any candidate. The Chairman will have a casting vote in the event of any tie.

 d) In the event of the whole Committee resigning at any time the Secretary shall obtain nominations for new officers during the following seven days, and a ballot shall be held for the election of a new Committee at a Special General Meeting called by the Secretary within ten days of such resignation.

7 Annual General Meetings

a) The Annual General Meeting shall be held in the month of October on a day to be fixed by the Committee.

b) Notice of the AGM shall be posted on the Bridge Section Notice Board or website for at least twenty-one days before the date appointed for the Meeting. Motions for inclusion in the Agenda of the AGM must be submitted to the committee prior to the meeting.

c) The Agenda for the AGM shall be posted on the Bridge Section Notice Board and website for at least seven clear days before the date appointed for the Meeting.

d) The accounts are to be made available to all members by the treasurer. At the AGM a simple statement of the income and expenditure account shall be presented.

e)At the AGM one-fifth of the Bridge Section Membership shall form a quorum. If at the time appointed for the meeting a quorum is not present the meeting shall stand adjourned. The members present may determine when the next meeting will be held and if it should proceed without the required quorum.

8 Special General Meetings

a) The Secretary shall summon Special General Meetings as follows:-

b) At the direction of the Committee or one or more of the officers.

c) Upon a request forwarded to the Secretary made by one-fifth of the members.

d) Notice of any Special General Meeting shall be posted on the Bridge Section Notice Board and website a clear fourteen days before the date appointed for such a meeting.

9 Voting

a) At all General Meetings every member present shall have one vote on each resolution on the agenda.

b) If paid up members are unable to attend an AGM they should have the right to vote either by proxy or post.

c) Votes by e-mail to the secretary are also allowed. The Chairman will have authority to vote on behalf of a member who is absent from an AGM if that person has informed the Chairman of his or her wishes.

10 Guests and Visitors

Guests and visitors will be subject to the current rules of the club and will be required to pay the normal table fee. They shall be deemed visitors for a period of 3 weeks, thereafter they would be expected to become full members of the club and pay a subscription pro rata from the day they join.

11 Winding-up 

If the bridge club can no longer meet or it becomes financially unviable to continue and likely to incur unsustainable debts then a special AGM may be called to wind up the club. A vote to wind up the club must be agreed by a majority of the existing members of the club.

In the event of the members agreeing to wind up the club all debts and financial responsibilities shall be settled from existing club funds. Any remaining surplus funds shall be distributed equally among the members who have had continual membership for more than one year. Bridge assets such as cards and bidding boxes shall be donated to organisations as directed by the committee.

Final version agreed and adopted at AGM 2019

Edited and updated Aug 2026