1.

Quorum

Steve Lambert, Chairman of the Bridge Club, noting that 45 members were present stated that the necessary quorum of 25 members had been achieved and welcomed members to the meeting.

He reflected that due to the exceptional circumstances of Covid it had been three years since the last meeting and was pleased to see so many members attending today.

Apologies for absence had been received from Jane Scaysbrook, Bob Veal, Gill Fisher, Roy Seaman, Rosalind Edwards, John Stobo (part), Jill Ackroyd and Bob Howard.

2.

Minutes of last meeting

The minutes of the last Annual General Meeting on 19^th April 2019 were approved.

3.

Matters Arising

None.

4.

Chairman’s Report

Steve Lambert reflected that no one could have foreseen the impact of the Covid Crisis. John Matthews (former Chair), Roy Mauger, Susan Dow, Wasi Ashan, John Latham, Berwyn Aston, Christine Cameron, Roger Kerswell and Julie Wreford are no longer with us since the last meeting.

On a brighter note the club and its members adapted well to the challenge of playing online. Over 150 players took part in regular online events and there were matches with clubs from all over the country and many international evenings. The current programme of Monday night games in the hall and the Thursday night games online demonstrates the success of continuing with a mixed model. The club now has a third more players than it did before Covid.

The Chairman thanked Sandridge Parish Council for their strong support during lockdown. The Council immediately stopped charging the club rent and kept the space available until the club could return.

The Chair also thanked the Committee for their hard work and support in difficult times and in particular Joan Walton and Jane Edrupt who are stepping down from the Committee this year and Roger Thornhill who stepped down after the last AGM.

5.

Treasurer’s Report

The Treasurer, Gary Kendall, reported that despite the challenges caused by Covid the club’s finances remain in a strong position.

Funds balance at 1 April 2019                    £5,140

Net income/(expenses) 2019/2020              £569

Net income/(expenses) 2020/2021            (£158)

Net income/(expenses) 2021/2022            (£717)

Funds balance at 31 March 2022              £4,834

The Treasurer tabled the accounts, which were approved by the members.

Gary noted that the main expenditure of the club was the hire of the hall, payments to the EBU and Board Dealing and External Director costs. The reason there had been a deficit in 2021/22 was there had been a membership fees holiday over the past two years during the Covid crisis. He proposed that membership fees are resumed at £10 per year (previously £5 pa) and that non-member table fees be increased from £3 to £5. This was approved unanimously. Members commented that the club’s fees were lower than other bridge clubs.

The Treasurer was asked why there were substantial “Payments made personally to be repaid” in the 20/21 and 21/22 accounts and who had funded the payments? Gary explained that due to difficulties on changing the club’s bank account, the club had been unable to access funds and he had provided temporary funds to the club. These issues have now been resolved and he has been reimbursed.

6.

Election of Officers

Steve Lambert, Gill Lambert, Gary Kendall and John Duthie were unanimously re-elected and Jane Scaysbrook newly elected to serve on the Committee.

Martin Sidders was approved as Secretary. 

7.

Award of Ladder Trophies

The winners of the Pairs Ladder were John Stobo and Rod Adams.

The Online Pairs Ladder was won by Keith Ashman and John Pelley.

The Individual Trophy was won by Gill Fisher.

The Roy Seaman Trophy for the most Masterpoints was presented to Steve Lambert.

The TaraStan X-IMPS Trophy was won by Harry Silverman.

The highest scoring pair on a Monday night was Lawrence Wybraniec and Martin Sidders.

8

Any Other Business

There being no other business the Chairman thanked the members for their support and the meeting ended at 7.25.