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The MINUTES of the 12th
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING held on Sunday 9th
May 2004 in the Olwen Bettesworth Hall, Mount Vernon Hospital at
6.00 p.m.
Present: - Ken Short - Acting Chairman/Hon
Treasurer
Geoff Gray - Hon Secretary
Jennifer Hay - Playing Secretary
Michael Tucker - Assistant Treasurer
Liz Crook - Liaison Officer
Kevin Colling, Phil Ryan, Daphne Santon, Len
Turner, Brian Simmonds
And 102 ordinary members.
- Welcome by the Chairman. The Acting Chairman
opened the meeting by welcoming the large number of
members who were attending.
He stated that the last year had been a difficult one,
not least because of the death of our Chairman and
Founder, Stan Nicholls. On behalf of all members he asked
that a message indicating our great sorrow be included in
the Minutes, together with commiserations to his son
Anthony.
Many members had expressed the opinion that without Stan
the Club would collapse. That it had not was a credit to
his organisation. The real strength of the Club lay in
the 40 or so members who gave unstintingly of their time
to run the day-to-day affairs. They are too many to
mention by name, but as an example the name of Geoff
Gray, our Secretary, was mentioned, who had literally
"climbed out of his sick bed" to be present at
this Meeting today.
Ken Short went on to say that it was Geoff who had talked
him into the job of Acting Chairman and it was in this
capacity that he was conducting this meeting.
- Apologies for absence were received from Committee
members Jacquie North and Gerald Williams and from 30
ordinary members.
- The minutes of the 11th AGM, held on the 11th
May 2003, were approved without alteration, proposed Liz
Poyser, seconded Ruby Stiles.
- The Treasurer’s Report. Ken Short asked that
his report as Treasurer be heard before his report as
Chairman. He started by displaying the Income and
Expenditure Account on the screen and by using two 'pie
slice' diagrams comparing the last two financial years.
Total proceeds for 2003 - 2004 had dropped by about
£8,700 from the preceding year, and this required some
explanation.
Proceeds from Bridge Sessions now took up over 75% of the
total but had stood up remarkably well in spite of
accommodation problems. Proceeds from Monday Evening,
Thursday Evening and Friday Afternoon sessions were very
similar to last year. The other three evenings had
suffered from the change in Michael Sobell working
practices, which, with their increased accommodation
needs, had led them to restrict our use of the Annexe to
one room only and at first, to Tuesday evenings only.
Temporary accommodation had been found for Friday
Evenings in the Enterprise Room for two months until
Michael Sobell allowed us back in the Annexe. For Sunday
Evenings, which needed more space so that a
Beginners’ Course could be run at the same time as
normal play, we managed to hire the Olwen Bettesworth
Hall. These restrictions both increased rental costs (by
about £800) and reduced Tuesday numbers able to play to
about 10 tables. Proceeds from Tuesdays were reduced by
about £1, 000. However, the increased numbers playing on
Mondays, Thursdays and Sundays meant that total proceeds
from Sessions dropped only by about £400.
Turning to the other items on the charts, proceeds from
Fees & Dues were unchanged.
Bridge Suppers were reduced as a new management team had
to be found. However, after a slow start, the 'Learning
curve' had built up and the December event produced the
second highest proceeds for any Supper. A further
successful Supper had taken place on April 3rd - but
counts toward 2004-2005. Proceeds were down by £1,500 on
2002-3.
Weekends had been very successful in the hands of a newly
appointed sub-committee but proceeds were reduced because
costs to members were reduced following the removal of
pressure to raise funds following the demise of the
Cricket Club project. This resulted in proceeds dropping
by £1,800.
Tuition was also much reduced. This activity had been
very much Stan's baby. If Kevin Colling had not taken on
the job of running a Beginners’ Course late last
year, there would be no proceeds from this source at all.
However, proceeds were down by £2,500.
Income from other sources in 2003-2004 was limited to
Bank Interest and even that had dried up when the bank
ceased to pay interest on Treasurers Accounts from
September 2003. Overall
the resultant drop was £2,400.
Turning to the Balance Sheet, the Treasurer pointed out
that in spite of our problems and reduced proceeds, we
had managed to transfer £40,000 to the Sobell Club
Development Fund, which is held by The Friends of Michael
Sobell House. This was possible because of the high Cash
in Bank at the beginning of the year had enabled an early
transfer of £10,000 in May, while a build up of Funds in
the Bank in March had enabled us to get in a fourth
payment of £10, 000 right on the end of the year.
Ruby Stiles asked if it would be possible to publish the
accounts in advance of the AGM. Brian Simmonds explained
that the amount of work required of the treasurer and
then the Auditor meant it was not possible unless we
either changed the financial year of the club or delayed
the AGM till June/July.
- Motion to Approve the Accounts. The accounts were
approved, proposed Adrienne Finch, seconded Martin Isham.
- The Acting Chairman’s report. Ken Short
explained that his report would better be called 'The
Accommodation Story' because that was what he was going
to talk about.
At the last AGM we had a proposal for joint accommodation
with the Northwood Cricket Club. We had a plan and we had
planning permission. The cost estimate was put at
£295,000 for our half share but our estimated financial
'reach' was only £250,000. The Chairman gained support
from the meeting albeit with several dissenting members.
A request for volunteers to help in raising the
additional funds required received no support.
At the next Committee Meeting in August the cost had
risen to £315,000 with a possible addition of £55,000
VAT. The price gap had already risen to over £100,000.
The VAT might be reclaimable on completion but would have
to be included in the initial costs. Your Committee was
undecided whether to proceed or not and called for a
meeting with N.C.C.
This took place in September where delegates considered
the joint project to be no longer viable and recommended
abandonment to their respective Clubs.
In late September we had a meeting with the Friends of
MSH where the Friends explained their shortage of
accommodation. They stated that they greatly valued us as
a long term source of ready funds and after hearing our
problems said that if we were in agreement they would
seek a site in Mt. Vernon that would cope with our needs
as well as their own, if we would contribute our savings
in the SBC Development Fund to the cost.
At the next Club Committee Meeting it was agreed to
abandon the Cricket Club scheme and support the proposal
from the Friends as part of our continued search for a
home.
We were invited to a further meeting with the Friends in
February where they said they had found a suitable site
and asked for our space requirements. These were provided
from a plan developed for the Cricket Club project.
In April we received a letter from the Friends saying
that they had received the necessary clearances at their
end and asking us for our formal agreement.
A description together with a preliminary plan of the
proposed building, which would be an extension of the
Michael Sobell complex, that they would give us access
to, was then presented to the Meeting. The Acting
Chairman proposed that we give our full support to this
project and on a show of hands received unanimous
approval.
In the ensuing discussion, Terry Butfield asked about the
status of the building fund. Ken Short explained that the
fund was an accumulation on money donated by us to the
Friends, which the Friends were holding on our behalf to
support our attempts to develop our own accommodation.
Brian Simmonds proposed that draft agreements between the
Friends and ourselves should be drawn up and put to a
Special General Meeting of the Club. This was seconded by
Cyril Gibor and passed, with one against.
- The Hon Secretary’s Report. Geoff Gray stated
that we have 484 current members; this is 6 fewer than at
the AGM last year. This is the first time the secretary
has had to report a drop in membership, however, given
the problems the club has had this year, particularly
with accommodation, he felt the numbers have held up
remarkably well.
This is due to the hard work of a lot of committee and
ordinary members, in keeping the day-to-day organisation
of the club running smoothly. The Secretary thanked them
for their work, and also the members for the tolerance
they have shown in some difficult circumstances.
Finally Geoff Gray thanked Joan Prior for providing the
buffet after the AGM.
- Report by the Chairman of the Playing Subcommittee.
Jennifer Hay reported that this is the first year that we
have had a trophy to play for at each session, for a full
year. It is nice to see some new names appearing on the
cups and plates, but more of that later…
Once again we have had 2 teams competing in the West
Herts League this year. The team, which includes Doug and
Anne Edmonds, and Robin Pyburn, has played their 3rd
season in the first division. Although the results have
not yet been confirmed, they feel that they have
maintained their position. Our other team consists of Pat
and Cyril Gibor, Michael Melville, Ron Stevens, Allan
Chalmers and Phil Ryan, and plays in the 3rd
division. Again, without having the final results they
think that they may end the year in 2nd or 3rd
place, which could mean promotion. They also reached the
semi-final of the Plate knockout competition for the 2nd
year running.
If anyone else is interested in entering a team, of
between 4 and 6 players, please let the Playing Secretary
know.
Once again, Michael Melville did a superb job of
organising the Simultaneous Pairs competitions throughout
the year.
The first competition, run by the EBU, was on September
15th and 1963 pairs took part.
Bea Segall and Olive Stretch came 163rd with
59.97%
Pat and Cyril Gibor came 186th with 59.47%
Phil Ryan and Looi Tan came 204th with 59.15%
The second competition was The David Boston pairs on the
3rd November, in which 1684 pairs took part.
Catherine Stafford and John Francis came 52nd
with 63.94%
Stan Figiela and David Kilby came 303rd with
56.77%
Pat and Cyril Gibor came 410th with 55.13%
The third competition was run by the Hertfordshire Bridge
Association on the 2nd February, with 161
pairs competing.
Marion Sweet & Geoff Gray came 11th with
61.71%
Herman Hirshberger & Bob Batchelor came 17th
with 59.93%
Shirley Tucker & Rachel Tunstall came 24th
with 57.04%
Jennifer Hay thanked all the session managers, tournament
directors, scorers, people who collect the money, set up
and put away the tables etc and provide refreshments.
Special thanks to Michael Melville for organising and
running the simultaneous pairs competitions throughout
the year.
Also thanks this year to Kevin Colling who took
over the ordering, storage, distribution and payment of
all the stationery items from the Playing Secretary this
year.
- Report by the Chairman of the Social Subcommittee.
Brian Simmonds reported on the Bridge Drives.
We were only able to hold two bridge suppers in the last
financial year, instead of the usual three. They were
held on 8th August and 6th December
2003, and raised £384 and £1062 respectively, the
latter total being the second best ever for a bridge
supper.
These suppers would not, however, be possible without the
help of a truly dedicated and hard-working team. Brian
stated he was not happy about naming individuals as
invariably someone is left out, and he apologised in
advance if this was the case. At the risk of this, he
thanked, in no specific order, Elisabeth Ray, Jane
Culley, Sheena Edgar, Michael and Shirley Tucker, Cyril
and Pat Gibor, Alison Dewar, Gillian Sale and Len Turner
and all those others who provided food and assistance.
Without their help there just would not be an evening.
Going forward, we held a further successful supper on 3rd
April this year, raising about £700.
Brian Simmonds concluded by saying he looked forward to
seeing many of those who where there this evening at the
next scheduled supper on 14th August.
- Proposed Changes to the Constitution. Geoff Gray
explained the changes to the constitution.
The purpose behind the changes was to put the structure
of the committee and club on a more formal basis.
Following Stan’s death last summer, it became clear
that there was nothing in place to cover such an
eventuality, and in effect, the committee had no guidance
on what to do. The changes were meant to cover this, by
defining the organisation of the committee and its
election.
At the same time, we have attempted to simplify the
constitution. The current constitution defines an
executive council and various specific sub-committees.
The executive council had fallen into disuse, so it has
been removed from the constitution. The committee has
also proposed the removal of each specific sub-committee
defined in the constitution, and instead just given the
committee the power to appoint standing sub-committees
for specific purposes (paragraph 12). This is to avoid
having to change the constitution each time a new
subcommittee is formed or one is disbanded. This year
there is a new sub-committee, consisting of Joan Prior,
George Howlett and Gerald Williams, to look after our
weekends away. At the same time, the building
sub-committee has been disbanded.
Finally, there has been added a new post of
Vice-Chairman.
John Francis commented that, while as far as he could
tell, the changes to the constitution appeared legally
satisfactory, he was unhappy that the changes should be
presented to the meeting without advance notice. He felt
that there should be at least 21 days notice for members
to assess the changes. Geoff Gray responded that the
proposed changes had been posted on club notice boards
and on the web site for more than the last 21 days, and
that the last newsletter had also referred to the
changes. This was, however, with the exception of the
introduction of the post of Vice-Chairman, which was a
late introduction. Ahmad Mallick said that, as a charity,
the club would be bound by the rules of the Charity
Commission as regards changes to the constitution; Geoff
Gray explained that the club is not a charity.
Ken Short proposed that the club would work to the new
constitution from now on, but that the formal adoption of
the changes be agreed at the next General Meeting of the
Club.
- Election of Committee Members. Ken Short said that
before we go ahead with the election for chairman, we
would first like the meeting to ratify a decision the
committee made during the year. The committee agreed that
Len Turner should become the Club’s President. This
is an honorary post, with no formal duties, and is purely
in recognition of Len’s outstanding service to club
over many years.
The meeting confirmed the appointment by acclaim.
Ken Short stated that he was standing down as Treasurer,
and Ron Hooker had volunteered to take over the post. As
he was standing down, Ken wished to thank Michael Tucker,
and all those who had acted as collectors at the
sessions, Shirley Tucker, Joan Knaggs, Ruby Stiles and
Kevin Colling.
At this point, Ken Short stood down as Chairman of the
meeting and Len Turner took over the chair.
Len Turner thanked Moira Wishart for taking the trouble
to make a written recommendation on his behalf to the
committee. He accepted the position humbly, he knew there
were a lot of other people who do very valuable work. He
thanked all those who had supported the proposal.
The following were elected to the committee en-bloc: -
Geoff Gray Hon Secretary
Ron Hooker Hon Treasurer
Liz Crook Liaison Officer
Michael Tucker Assistant Treasurer
and the current session managers.
The posts of Playing Secretary and Social Secretary are
vacant.
The election for the Chairmanship of the club was held by
secret ballot. This was adjudicated by Brian Simmonds,
with the assistance of Ruby Stiles and Pat Gibor.
57 votes were cast for Kevin Colling and 51 votes for Ken
Short; Kevin Colling was duly elected as Chairman of the
club.
Kevin Colling proposed that Ken Short be elected
Vice-Chairman; this was agreed, by acclaim.
- Election of Honorary Auditor. Ron Hooker proposed
that Brian Simmonds be re-appointed, Howard Atkins
seconded.
- Any Other Formal Business. John Francis expressed
thanks to Ruby Stiles for her work as club matchmaker. He
had required her assistance on many occasions, and she
had never failed him.
Ken Short proposed a vote of thanks to all the members of
the outgoing building committee, headed by Bill Graham.
They had put in a huge amount of work over many years.
The formal meeting closed at 7.30 p.m., and was
followed by the presentation of Championship Prizes.
Jennifer Hay announced the prizewinners:
Broughton Trophy (Monday evening):
1st Stan Figiela & David Kilby
2nd Michael Melville & Ron Stevens
Stan Figiela and David Kilby were absent. Ethel
Broughton presented the 2nd place plaques to Ron
Stephens.
President’s Trophy (Tuesday evening):
1st Andrew Pullin & Michael
Melville
2nd Kevin Colling & Catherine
Stafford
Andrew Pullin and Michael Melville were absent.
Ethel Broughton presented the 2nd place plaques to
Kevin Colling and Catherine Stafford.
L and R Trophy (Thursday evening):
1st Kevin Colling & Catherine
Stafford
2nd Stan Figiela & David Kilby
Sue Sheldon presented the L and R Trophy to Kevin
Colling and Catherine Stafford.
The trophies for the Friday afternoon sessions:
Individual Trophy
1st Lucy Rees
2nd Martin Isham
Daphne Santon presented the trophy to Lucy Rees.
Pairs Trophy
1st Lucy Rees & Martin Isham
2nd Alan Milne & Rita Jacob
Daphne Santon presented the trophy to Lucy Rees
and Martin Isham.
Graham Trophy (Friday Evenings):
1st Kevin Colling and Michael Melville
2nd Bea Segall and Olive Stretch
Len Turner presented the 2nd place
plaques to Bea Segall, and the trophy to Kevin Colling.
Apologies for absence were received from: -
Arna Davis, Pam Parkhurst, Alan Marks, Allan
Chalmers, Ruth Allenby, Tony Letts, Brian Godfrey, Ann Godfrey,
Ann Walker, Barbara Robjant, Christine Ross, Phil Williams,
Eileen Williams, Terry Naylor-Vane, Angela Naylor-Vane, Stan
Orlans, Rebecca Orlans, Jenny Sandercock, Maura Finan, Judith
Barnett, Gordon Shelton, Belle Anthony, Helen Graham, Douglas
Graham, Margaret Rainbow, Pam Montgomery, Bill Hassey, Brenda
Weston. Isobel Williams, Michael Melville.
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