PRESENT: Mark Goddard (Chair), Shirley Ashtari, Clare Batten Chris Frost, Jane Hall, Mel Shepherd, Keith Spencer, Julia Staniforth, Roger Stock and Sue Wright.
- WELCOME AND APOLOGIES
The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting particularly Jane and Sue who had re-joined the committee following their co-option at the last meeting. The apologies of Dave Treharne were noted.
- MINUTES OF LAST MEETING HELD ON 7 JUNE 2023
The minutes were agreed as a correct record.
- MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES
- 2023 EBU Tollemache Entry – 12 November 2023
Mark reported that there was sufficient interest from players and it was therefore hoped to enter a team. Entry to the 2024 Presidents Cup event would be considered at a meeting after the Tollemache event.
Clare had received an enquiry asking what criteria were used for selecting the Tollemache team. Mark and Shirley confirmed that all players would need to play/have played in the A team of the inter-county league.
- Training Seminars
This was to be considered in conjunction with item 7).
- 23/24 Teams of 8 update
Jane reported that the league had commenced with a total entry of 11 teams one less than the previous year as Retford BC declined to enter due to a lack of players willing to play on BBO. Consequently there were 6 teams in division 1 and the remaining 5 in division 2.
A copy of the latest rules had been circulated with the main two changes:
i) re-inforcement of the rules relating to entry to the EBU Garden Cities event (for winners of division 1) ii) penalties for fielding ineligible players as the team would no longer be allowed to win the match.
- CALENDAR OF EVENTS AND VENUE FOR THE PRIDAY CUP COMPETITION
The Mixed Pairs event would again incorporate open pairs playing 24-27 boards commencing at 2.00 pm with light refreshments. The winning mixed pair would be awarded free entry to the Midland Counties Mixed Pairs event or a similar event as Derbyshire had confirmed it would no longer run a mixed pairs event due to lack of entries received and subsequent cancellation of the 2023 event.
It was agreed that the Priday Cup would be held at Mansfield Mechanics Bridge Club playing a one session event commencing at 2.00 pm with the club’s own equipment was available for use and light refreshments provided. Roger would liaise with Sue regarding payment and Sue would make the necessary arrangements with the club. Julia would contact Nottingham BC to cancel the provisional booking. Shirley agreed to advertise and take entries for both events.
- INSURANCE PROVISION
The EBU had re-confirmed that the EBU’s insurance covered public liability for county events and insurance for officers therefore only the county’s assets needed to be insured by the county. It was noted that in addition to trophies there were boards and cards that were not currently insured however these were renewed periodically.
- REINTRODUCTION OF ONE DAY GREEN OR BLUE POINT EVENTS
Discussion took place on the viability and organisation of such events and Clare reported that she had offered to assist Derbyshire to host a one day green pointed Swiss Pairs in May 2024 and would be willing to organise the county to run a similar event with support from other committee members. It was agreed to consider holding a Green Point Swiss Pairs on Sunday 28 July 2024 and any financial loss could be supported. Clare would enquire if Sponden venue was available and Julia would contact the EBU to ascertain if a licence would be granted.
- REINSTATEMENT OF A WEDNESDAY EVENING COUNTY COMPETITION
Keith offered to organise the reintroduction of a weekly county competition subject to a minimum of five tables competing. In view of the decline in the online event that had commenced at the start of the pandemic Mark proposed to arrange a short series of seminars playing a short session of bridge with feedback on the hands on Realbridge on 27 September, 25 October and 29 November 2023. These would be free of charge and during these events members would be asked if there was support for a weekly competitive event.
- ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE 2024 AGM
This was deferred to the next meeting.
- TROPHY INVENTORY AND VALUATION
A list of the trophies had been compiled and circulated to members of the committee. Keith reported that the engraving of the trophies would be completed by the end of the week and collection would need to be arranged. The engraver was not able to give valuations but at least two trophies were silver and could be worth 1K with shields having a replacement value of around £100.
The issue of storage needed to be addressed. Clare reported that there was a possibility that the trophies could be stored at Sponden although it was felt that this was a distance away. It was agreed to ask Nottingham BC if the trophies could be stored there for at least the short term pending further consideration of their long term retention. Chris would be asked to collect the trophies and transfer to Nottingham BC subject to its willingness to store them.
- TREASURER’S REPORT
Roger reported that the only income received had been three entry fees for the 23/24 leagues of eight amounting to £94. Expenditure had totalled £828 in lieu of Realbridge fees, UMS (competitions and leagues of 8 for 22/23) and entries for the EBU Pachabo, Garden Cities competitions.
- WEBSITE MATTERS
There were no specific issues other than to display the information for the Mixed Pairs in the centre of the home page. Sue suggested that an online entry form would make collection of entries easier including payment arrangements. Shirley agreed to liaise with Sue to develop this.
Keith was thanked for continuing to maintain the site.
- EBU MEETINGS AND CORRESPONDENCE
The annual reminder for EBU awards with a closing date in August had been received and it had been suggested that a posthumous award be considered for Graham Brindley in view of his long service to the county however the EBU had stated that this would not be possible. Currently no other serving member or former member of the committee had completed the required fifteen years of service.
It was noted that the EBU were offering free short sessions on Realbridge to assist players to familiarise themselves playing with screens and had recently request suitable photographs of bridge playing for promotional purposes.
- REPORT FROM MIDLAND COUNTY WORKING GROUP
Copies of the minutes of the meetings had been circulated. A motion had been circulated to amend the eligibility criteria for the inter-county league to allow players with a different county of allegiance to play for a county if they resided in the county. A vote was taken and Julia was mandated to vote against the motion and for the status quo to remain.
- AOB/ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING
- County Clubs Conference
Clare proposed that in order to continue to develop better relationships with clubs a meeting be arranged with club representatives to discuss issues such affecting clubs on a more informal basis than at the AGM. The notes from a previously held meeting which took place prior to the pandemic were available but no follow up of any actions had been taken due to the pandemic and changes to key personnel on the committee. Mark reported that on previous attempts there was insufficient support however he would contact club chairmen to seek their views. It was noted that there was no representation from East Bridgeford, Keyworth and Sunday Tigers BC on the committee and there was one remaining vacancy.
- Request to advertise a free club session on Realbridge on the county website
Retford BC had enquired whether it would be possible for an advertisement to be displayed on the county website denoting that a free session was available for anyone wanting to try Realbridge in order to promote the platform. It was agreed that a short statement could be displayed with a link to its own website for full details.
14) DATE OF NEXT MEETING – Wednesday 6 December 2023 at 5.00 pm on Zoom.
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