| 2025 AGM Minutes |
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STOKE MANDEVILLE BRIDGE CLUB
MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
MONDAY 28th APRIL 2025 AT 7.00 PM
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Action |
| Item 1 |
Welcome
The Chair, Mary Baker welcomed everyone to the meeting.
Apologies were received from:
Nikki Smith, Lesley Wright, Jonathan Seabrook, Ted Crump, Elaine Crump, Angela Manders, Martin Wright. |
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| Item 2 |
Minutes of the Annual General Meeting Monday 22nd April 2024.
The minutes of the 2024 AGM are available on the website under information.
The minutes were agreed as accurate and there were no matters arising. Proposed by Richard Plummer, seconded by Christine Hopkins. |
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| Item 3 |
Chair’s Report
The Chair gave her report.
The following were the main points.
- A good year for the club, well attended, healthy finances, a successful bridge weekend and two charity nights.
- Mary thanked the committee, the Directors, the refreshments team and members for all their support enabling the club to be successful.
- 38 people attended the first bridge weekend. Mary thanked Lesley for all her hard work in ensuring an enjoyable and successful weekend.
- Mary indicated the last year had gone well with a healthy membership, attendance and bank balance
- Mary raised having a roster to provide assistance to her from 6.30pm in getting the tables and chairs out and ready. David Barker made an alternative suggestion that everyone on arrival collects their own chair. It was agreed to have an immediate one month trial with everyone collecting their chair but not to have a roster for setting up generally. Mary will give feedback as to whether she is receiving enough support with the tables.
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One month trial with everyone collecting their chair. Mary to monitor and give feedback. |
| Item 4 |
Treasurer's Report
The Treasurer’s report and accounts were circulated prior to the meeting. Steve Marshall summarised the report with key points as follows
- At the start of the year to 31 March 2025 we set out to make a small profit whilst keeping table money rates at the lowest level possible. You will see that having made a profit of just £221 this objective has largely been met.
- There were two significant cost increases. Our rent increased 20% from 1 July 2024 and the entry fees for the league went from £60 to £210.
- These cost increases were covered by charging table money at £25 per quarter for three of the four quarters with the last quarter being £20..
- Our balance sheet remains strong with a significant level of cash at the year-end which is a good buffer against unexpected costs.
- The key to our continuing financial stability is to maintain (or ideally increase) the number of members and the levels of attendance at our sessions. Numbers have stabilised this year and Membership was unchanged at 102 people. The average attendance was 51.4 versus 51.6 in the prior year. It is important that we encourage people to join our club and provide a welcoming environment.
- In 2025/26, we will have a full year of the higher rent charge. The additional cost I expect to cover by charging £25 per quarter throughout the year, but if other cost increases come through, or our numbers decline, we may need to go a little further. The weekly charge has been £3 for many years now and could also increase should the need arise.
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| Item 5 |
Election of
- Chairman
- Committee members
All members of the Committee were willing to stand for another year
Mary Baker – Chair
Stephen Marshall – Treasurer
Richard Clark – Assistant treasurer
Chris Kaye – Website, Boards Manager
David Barker – Director/BBO Teams
Richard Pummer – Membership
Lesley Wright – Secretary
Following a unanimous vote the Chair and Committee were elected.
Proposed by Steve Elms
Seconded by Fiona Scriven
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| Item 6 |
Audit books and Auditor
Suzie Walton has kindly agreed to continue as the auditor.
There was a unanimous vote in favour, proposed by Steve Marshall and seconded by Richard Plummer. |
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| Item 7 |
Diary Dates
- Christmas Party Monday 15th December 2025
- Local Charity evening for Air Ambulance probably in July.
This will be in memory of Brian Smith.
- Children in Need
These proposed events were supported by all. |
MEMBERS
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| Item 8 |
League of 8.
Mary thanked the 3 captains of the teams.
The A team will remain in Division 2.
The B team will remain in Division 3.
The C team will move to Division 4.
The C team is looking for a new captain. Please see Mary if interested. |
MEMBERS |
| Item 9 |
Stock Mandeville Bridge Weekend 16th – 18th January. Staverton Park Hotel Daventry
The club have paid the deposit and forms expressing interest will be sent out in June. The cost is likely to remain the same as last time. |
MEMBERS |
| Item 10 |
Any Other Business
- Mary confirmed that car parking charges at the club will not be going ahead.
- Vivien Suttie gave a vote of thanks to Mary for all she does in creating a lovely environment and club.
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