Minutes of Nottinghamshire Clubs Meeting held on 1st May 2025 1pm

Minutes of Nottinghamshire Clubs Meeting held on 1st May 2025 1pm

Present: Clare Batten (County chair), Shirley Ashtari, Louise Scull, Keith Spencer, Jane Hall, Chris Frost, David Teharne, Ewa Hardwick Club representatives:

Keyworth BC: Jenny Leggott, Hilary Kenworthy

Mansfield BC: Sue Wright, Jane Holdrick

Nottingham BC: Phil Gross, Andrew Scott

Phoenix BC: Lis and Martyn Ridler

Tigers BC: Ken Smith

West Bridgford BC: Elizabeth Dunford, Paula Foulds

Woodborough BC: Gill Lindley

The meeting started with explanation on role of the County. Clare Batten stressed that all

Nottinghamshire players form the County and the Counties act as a link between clubs and EBU. It s not a separate club.  £0.04 of P2P fees are allocated to County to cover with the costs. The County has a share in EBU and Keith Spencer, who is a shareholder, attends the shareholders’ annual meeting. Andrew asked if the clubs could be informed when meeting takes place, in case there are any issues needed to be taken up with EBU. Keith explained, that those would need to be communicated to EBU few months prior to the meeting. Jenny suggested that the best way would be to raise them at the time they occurred. The EBU website has the information about the meeting.

County website has the information posted that are relevant to club players, County gets involved with appeals about ruling in clubs, runs various events, can provide funding for clubs and represents the County at national meetings.

If the player is not satisfied with the ruling made by County Director, the appeal can be taken to EBU, but they would ask for small deposit.  

The events run by County: Journal Cup, County Teams, Teams of 8, Mixed Pairs and Priday Cup. 

If there are less than 5 tables, the events are not worth running.

During last year there was very little interest in some of the events. The question was asked if they are the right type of events that the players want to see.

Paula asked what is in it for her. My answer would be: enjoying free game. 

Elizabeth asked about persons, that play for county. Who they are and why we never see them face to face. 

People don’t know what their NGS is and are not really taking much interest in EBU website.

Of course, NGS grades of the club members are published and updated monthly on each of the clubs’s websites as well as the County’s website.

The ranking is also published. Can be found under members’ area.

County also ran the Green Point event. Players don’t know what that is. Clare explained that it is a national competition and anyone can enter.

Jenny entered it for the first time and enjoyed it very much.

After some discussion suggestions have been made to bring back the County night, Social afternoon could be a popular event and could rotate amongst the clubs and venues.

Other events could be Sim pairs for clubs only.

Elizabeth believes that events should be F2F to avoid the bridge extinction.

The travel can be a problem. Other suggestions:

Play with experienced player

County masterclass

Coaching promising players 

Andrew found that teaching Mini Bridge is successful.

Jenny and Sue will produce the list of ideas to circulate in the clubs and get the feedback.