Minutes NCBA meeting 3rd September 2025.pdf

20250806 Minutes.pdf

2025 June minutes.pdf

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. 

2025 April Minutes.pdf

Minutes of Committee Meeting to be Held Remotely on 28th January 2025 at 4.45 pm.

Present: Clare Batten, Jane Hall, Keith Spencer, Chris Frost, Ewa Hardwick, Mark Goddard, Shirley Ashtari, Roger Stock at the start of the meeting, David Treharne, Julia Staniforth

1. Apologies for absence: Roger Stock, Jenny Leggott, Sue Wright

2. Approval of the minutes of meeting held on 29th October 2024 

Approved

3. Matters Arising from the Minutes not Contained Within Other Agenda Items None

4. Treasurer’s report  

Roger sent the following report to the committee: 

We have had three main souses of income this year. 

EBU county UMS which is currently just short of £950 and expected to rise to approximately £1200. Which is the bottom end of last years prediction of £1200-£1400. 

The Green Points event, which after some re-negotiating with East Midlands Bridge Academy for the hire of Spondon raised approximately £438 

Monies invested in the Cambridge and Counties Bank which we have also received interest of £438. 

This gives an income of approximately £1820 to date and an expected income of around £2050. 

Expenditure is Currently just over £2500 and last year we also spent an additional £600 in February and March mainly with the EBU for competition winners entry prizes

The money invested in the Cambridge and Counties Bank which is an annual bond with a minimum £10000 investment which we have.

Our current bank account has approximately £3750 in it which may mean we have to close the Cambridge and Counties account depending on what we are planning next year.

We have a 35 day notice account with NatWest but the interest will be lower currently 3.25%. (the Cambridge and counties will possibly between 4 and 4.25%) To move to NatWest will reduce our interest income by approximately £100 but will ensure we don't have cashflow issues. 

The committee decided that the Cambridge account to be closed and funds moved to Nat West account with 35 days access.   

5. Organisation of forthcoming events 

It was felt that we need to start advertising earlier, Shirley to send to emails to all members , Jane to produce poster for 9 high and Journal Cup. Ewa to ask club secretaries to put it up on the board.  All the committee should promote within their clubs. 9 high competition is taking place in Nottingham Club on 2nd March and the Journal cup on 16th March. Keith to set up the entry form on the County website ( see note below about checking content). Keyworth county games on  9^th March. Clare to liaise with Roger over ordering  sandwiches  from Sainbury s ( a bit more than last year) Shirley and Ewa to help. Clare to contact Jenny to ask for help from club. 

6. Date of 2025 AGM 

8^thJune 2025 held in Nottingham Bridge Club. Keith to bring Woodborough kit. The final arrangements to be discussed at next committee meeting when we will finalise the changes to the constitution.

7. County Green Points events and County Teams currently the dates are 6^th July and 21^st September 2025.

To be held in Spondon at the moment but cost is being increased and fee going up to £25 possibly.

8. Report on Midlands Working Group

Not many meetings being held. Discussions around the divisions within the county teams. No fear bridge as a tool for bridge teacher. Ewa to put the circulation list of the teachers. 

9. Teams of 8 league.

Difficulties with fixing matches and late starts, but overall good cooperation and no serious issues. Only two dates outstanding now. Notts v Woodborough to be chased. 

10. Coaching of county team

Steve Raine happy to provide teaching in Nottingham. 

There will not be any published criteria for county team selection

11. County Website – content and maintenance

New information should be proof-read before is published.  If changes are being made 2 people to be involved one to make changes a second person to proof read.

12. Date and Time of Next Meeting  Wednesday 2^nd April 2025. 4.45pm

13. AOB

Ewa to send information to the clubs about the implications of EMBA running the blue point events on behalf of the clubs.

Clare suggested that we may not need a County President, but it has been agreed that is nice to have the option.

Ewa to contact the Pachabo entrants, complete and submit the form.