Diss Bridge Club AGM.  Thursday 19th September 2024 Salvation Hall Diss at 12.45pm.

Attended: Janet Turner, Graham Boutell, Francis Chinkin, Rita Garrad, Allan Duff, William Brennan, John Pope, Barbara Wells, Maria Ellis, Eva Butler, Peter Brown, Eric Clarke, Val Clarke, Beverley Blake, Tony Goodfellow, and Julie Goodfellow.

Apologies: Mary Farrell, Sue Robinson, Mike Barr and Kate Walshe.

Graham Boutell opened the meeting at 1pm, welcoming everyone to the newly refurbished hall, emphasising that it  would take the form of a very informal mini-AGM.

Beverley kindly agreed to take the Minutes for the AGM in the absence of an appointed Secretary.

The Minutes for 2023 AGM displayed on the website, were agreed by members a true record of the meeting and unanimously approved. There were no matters arising from those Minutes.

Chairperson’s Report

Janet Turner reported that she was honoured to be a long-standing member and to serve the club as chairperson for many years. Given that her eyesight was deteriorating, she felt it was time to stand down as chairperson. She wished to support the longevity of the club and will continue assist the club wherever possible.

As a gesture of her optimism in the club she confirmed that she had paid her annual subscription for the coming year.

Graham Boutell thanked Janet for her support over many years.

He was keen to emphasise that the club welcomed players of all levels, including improvers.

He then summarised the club’s past year’s achievements:

Introduction of BridgePals scoring system. Thanks to Julie for her expertise in setting it up, and our thanks to Francis for the loan of the equipment.

We had over 4 months of the year at Brome VH whilst the Salvation Army Hall was being refurbished.

The rental at Brome was £30pw, compared to £24pw we currently pay at SA Hall.

We do not have a new rental amount yet for the refurbished hall.

Members enjoyed a freebie year with no table money.

This was agreed at last year’s AGM, basically to use up surplus funds which the Club had accumulated, thanks to the work Francis puts in preparing the Boards for other Clubs each week using our club Dealing Machine, this currently brings us in £750 per year . Our thanks to Francis, his work for our Club is very much appreciated.

Sadly, our attendance had declined, we have only averaged 3.5 tables each week over the last year.

Do we carry on as we are? Do we start paying table money again?

Tony Goodfellow, Treasurer

Accounts for year ending 31st August 2024 

Income​​​​​£1,234.00

Expenses​​​​​£2,220.71

Excess expenditure over income​             -£986.71

Net Assets​​​​​£1,252.92

Proposed by Beverley Blake, 

Unanimously approved by members.

Tony proposed that there is a review of the fees for the new year to compensate for the likely increase in hall rental:

Member Subscription £10per annum.

Table Money. members £2 (non-members £2.00   5 visits max)

Members unanimously supported his proposal.

Due to the confusion in paying the Salvation Hall for hall rental, it was agreed Tony would create a standing order mandate to pay for the hall on a regular basis.​(Action TG)

Beverley to liaise with Salvation Army to obtain bank details. (Action BB)

Competition Winners 2024

Championship Pairs Trophy - Graham Boutell & Eva Butler

Individual Handicap Trophy - Eva Butler

Most Slams - Mike Barr

Any other business. 
We highlighted the need to arrive at the Salvation Hall at 12.45pm, so we can begin play at 1pm.

Graham closed the meeting at 1.30pm