1.

Quorum

Steve Lambert, Chairman of the Bridge Club, noted that the necessary quorum of 25 members had been achieved and welcomed members to the meeting.

He advised that future AGMs would be held in early Summer, in closer alignment with the Club year end of 31 March.

Apologies for absence had been received from Alex Kent, Martin Melhuish, Michael Aslett, Louise Peck, Jaqueline Williams, Denis King and Lawrence Wybraniec.

2.

Minutes of last meeting

The minutes of the last Annual General Meeting on 3^rd October 2022 were approved.

3.

Matters Arising

None.

4.

Chairman’s Report

The Chairman was pleased to report that table numbers now exceeded pre-Covid levels. Typically, there were 22-24 tables a week split between Monday and Thursday nights. The combination of bridge in the Community Hall on Mondays and bridge on Bridge Base Online on Thursdays is proving very popular. We achieved a peak of 15 tables on Monday and 12 on Thursday, one of the largest table numbers in Hertfordshire.

The Chair thanked members for their support during the year, particularly the Committee: Gill Lambert, John Duthie, Steve Lambert, Jayne Scaysbrook, Gary Kendall and Martin Sidders; the Directors: John Stobo, Gary Conrad, James Rodgers, Mike Hann, Steve Lambert and Gary Kendall; the Scorers: Mike Hann, Gary Conrad, Mike Parikh, Steve Lambert, John Duthie and Rod Adams; Jim Fry (biscuits), Lynn Prentice (table money)  and Peter Hill.

Steve reflected with sadness at the passing of Dennis Spruce and Eric Bonney.

Membership continues to grow, which reflects the club’s reputation as a friendly place to play bridge. Steve emphasised the importance of keeping the atmosphere polite and friendly. Be nice to the Directors and Scorers. Be courteous to your opponents – and to your partner! Only share your opinions if invited to do so. Always be welcoming. Have fun.

5.

Treasurer’s Report

The Treasurer, Gary Kendall, reported that the Club continues to be in a strong financial position. Monday and Thursday nights are roughly equal in net income/costs. The cost of hiring the hall has risen by 20% but hire charges had not increased for some time and Sandridge Parish Council was very supportive during Covid.

Funds balance at 1 April 2022                   £4,834

Income                                                          £8,096

Expenditure                                                (£8,207) 

Funds balance at 31 March 2023             £4,723

Claus Crede has audited the figures.

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

6.

Election of Officers

Steve Lambert, Gary Kendall, Martin Sidders, Gill Lambert, Jane Scaysbrook and John Duthie were unanimously re-elected. Clare Garretty was elected to the Committee as a new committee member.

Martin Sidders resigned as Secretary and Clare Garretty was elected as Secretary.

Gary Kendall resigned as Treasurer and Martin Sidders was elected as Treasurer.

Claus Crede was elected as Auditor. 

7.

Club Competitions

The Chair proposed a number of changes to club competitions:

• The Monday Night Ladder will be the Gerald Everitt Memorial Trophy.
• The Thursday Night Ladder will be the John Matthews Memorial Trophy.
• The Roy Seaman Trophy for most Masterpoints remains the same.
• The Swiss Pairs competition will be discontinued.

8

Award of Trophies

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

The Thursday Online Pairs Ladder was won by Bob Turnham and Sara Barnett.

The Teams Ladder was won by Bob Turnham, Harry Silverman, James Rodgers and Dennis King.

The Individual Trophy was won by Jane Scaysbrook.

The Roger Seaman Trophy was presented to Gill Lambert.

The Anniversary Pairs Trophy was won by James Rodgers and Dennis King.

The Gerald Everitt Trophy was won by James Rodgers and Michael Aslett.

The TaraStan X-IMPS Trophy was won by Gary Kendall.

The highest scoring pair was Bob Turnham and Sara Barnett.

9.

Membership and Table Fees.

The Committee confirmed that the Annual Membership fee for 2024/5 will remain at £10.

Monday table fees will continue at £2 for members, £5 for non-members.

Thursday online fees will continue at $3.

10.

Any Other Business

The members thanked Steve Lambert for his excellent chairmanship.

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