Southam Bridge Club

Minutes of a Committee Meeting held at 2.30pm on Tuesday 19 November 2019 at the home of Fliss Hall

1.  Members present

 Tony Reeves (chairman), Fliss Hall (treasurer), Sarah Lear, Diana Wright

2.   Apologies

Apologies were received from Colin Davison and Peter Marriott

3. Chairman’s remarks

Tony welcomed the committee.  He suggested that any single player who would like a partner for the Christmas Party should contact him as there will be no stand by that evening.

4.  Treasurer’s report

Thanks were recorded to Fliss for preparing the annual accounts to be audited by Stewart Aylward.  The 2019 accounts show a healthy surplus.  New playing cards had been bought.

Fliss recommended that table money be waived for the Christmas party.

Agreed that the current healthy surplus needs to be maintained in case there is an increase in rental costs.  We have averaged  6 ½ tables per week this year.  A number of projected draft budgets based on different table numbers indicate that we need to maintain this average to ensure a similar surplus next year.

Agreed that the annual fee and table money remain unchanged.   Numbers will be kept under review.

5.  Membership

Currently 60 paid up members with 64 projected for next year.

6. Stand by scheme

Valued by members – used 12 times this year

The Director needs to remind members to volunteer each week

7. Speed of play

Agreed that we should still aim to complete 27 hands.  This has not been regularly achieved so Directors are asked to remind members and to continue to try to enforce it.

8. Bridge webs

Tony reported that the new Southam website had been welcomed by the vast majority of members who want the club to remain welcoming and friendly while achieving a good level of competitive bridge.

Thanks were recorded to Colin for all his work as webmaster.

9. Arrangements for the Christmas party  - 11 December 2019

Agreed that there would be no crackers this year but members encouraged to wear a festive hat.       Fliss will provide a prize for the best Christmas outfit.

Committee to arrive at 6.30pm to set up the tables.

Format as previous years – play until 8.00pm. Party 8.00pm to 9.00pm.

Wine, soft drinks and glasses; cloths, bin bags etc  – Tony

Celebration chocolates for each table

Paper plates, napkins, clingfilm – Sarah

Raffle prizes:  Fliss gin, Diana wine, Tony chocolates

Food contribution list has been started thanks to Mary Ann and Gwynne

Table money will be waived

Members may bring a guest for a charge of £5

10. Committee membership for 2020

Colin to stand down.  New committee member to be recruited at AGM

Tony will be spending more time away but he agreed to continue as Chairman as long as there are no significant changes to the current arrangements

11. Future Dates

            AGM                           5 February 2020

            Christmas Party        9 December 2020

            AGM                           3 February 2021

12.  AOB

Concern for Southam residents

A number of cars are queuing up outside the Village Hall before the gates are opened.  Tony reminded us that the official opening time is 6.45pm.

Agreed to remind members that they should try not to arrive before 6.40pm.  As previously, members are reminded not to speed and not to park on the road

Agreed that Fliss would contact the Village Hall committee to let them know what action we are taking and to ask whether it would be possible to access the car park any earlier.

Tony to put the minutes of the 2019 AGM on the website