17 November 1998, 8.00pm
Held at Cheadle Conservative Club
Present: Chairman, Secretary, Veterans’ Secretary, Treasurer and delegates
Apologies: Bramhall Queensgate, Ladybridge Park
Absences: Albert, Benchill Conservative, Cringlewood, Cross Keys, Edgeley Conservative, Green End, Robinsons
The Chairman asked delegates to stand for few moments in silence in memory of colleagues who had passed away in the last year.
Minutes: The minutes of the previous half yearly meeting were read and approved.
Correspondence: As well as routine correspondence, the Secretary note a letter from Stuart Warburton. the President, expressing his view that the presidency should be a position held only for a few years and that the time had come to find a successor. The secretary expressed his thanks to Mr Warburton for his presidency and was pleased to note that he was willing to carry on organising advertising for the handbook. The meeting endorsed these thanks.
Mr Dave Walker had agreed to take over as President, and he would be proposed for election at the AGM.
Secretary’s Report: The season had finished with 46 teams and one (Farmers Arms) had already resigned. The Secretary had heard rumours of other teams about to leave. There were two enquiries where clubs were considering entering the League. but it looked as though next season would have fewer teams than this. We had to consider how to structure the League, and this might mean divisions on eleven or twelve with a 22 week season and a start in early April. This is difficult for clubs without lights, and the general opinion of the meeting was not favourable. The matter would be reviewed further at the AGM.
Veterans’ Secretary’s Report: Two teams had applied to join the League, Royal Oak (Hazel Grove) and Hazel Grove Bowling and Tennis. This would mean four divisions of eleven and one of twelve teams next year. To get to this scheme, one team would be relegated per division and two or three promoted. The league programme would run into September.
The Veterans’ Secretary wondered whether replicas should be provided for Merit winners and whether a £2 entry fee and consequently bigger prize fund was appropriate.
Treasurer’s Report: Prizes this year would be as follows.
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | |
| League | £90 | £69 | £30 | £15 |
| Veterans | £65 | £40 | £20 | £10 |
| Newlan | £90 | £60 | £30 | £30 |
| Jennison | £60 | £40 | £20 | £20 |
He had bought a new trophy for the Division E winners to replace the present trophy whose plating had worn off.
The Treasurer confirmed that it was not League practice to award prizes for the average winners in the veterans’ league because the disparity in ages would make this unfair.
The Treasurer reminded delegates that tickets for the presentation night were now available.
Rule Changes:
Amend Veterans’ League Rule 7 to read as follows:
“7 (1) Matches will be played as per approved fixture list, normally on Tuesday or Wednesday afternoons commencing 2:00 pm. A different day or time for a particular team may be authorised at the preceding AGM. If by prior arrangement the match cannot be played on the original afternoon, then it must be rearranged within 14 days if the original date. All matches must be played prior to the date of the last game of the season. Failure to agree by the two clubs concerned must be notified to the Match Secretary immediately.
“7 (ii) Teams will consist of eight players, visitors to have first delivery of the jack. Match rules for the start and progression of the Game will apply. The Home Team will be responsible for submitting the result sheet to the Match Secretary within 3 days, duly completed and signed by both captains.”
Proposed by the Veterans Secretary Passed with no votes against
Amend Veterans’ League Rule 7 to read as follows:
“7 (i) Matches will be on Tuesday or Wednesday afternoons commencing 2:00 pm as per approved fixture list. If by prior arrangement the match cannot be played on the original afternoon, then it must be rearranged within 14 days if the original date. All matches must be played prior to the date of the last game of the season. In matches played too late both teams will be penalised 24 points. Failure to agree by the two clubs concerned must be notified to the Match Secretary immediately.
“7 (ii) Teams will consist of eight players, visitors to have first delivery of the jack. Match rules for the start and progression of the Game will apply. The Home Team will be responsible for submitting the result sheet to the Match Secretary within 3 days, duly completed and signed by both captains.”
Proposed by Great Moor Conservative Club
Great Moor explained that their aim was to make the veterans’ rule similar to the rule in the evening league. A proposal to change “will” to “may” and thereby allow the committee some discretion in applying a penalty was accepted. The amended proposal was approved with three votes against.
Other Business: Mr Forrest explained that fines for non attendance, included in recent invoices, run from the half-yearly meeting to the September meeting.
Great Moor Conservative referred to a recent case where a club had been found liable for a broken leg suffered by a spectator. The club had was being used as a neutral green and its own players were not involved. Nevertheless it had to pay up. Insurance was available through the BCGBA, and was recommended.
The trophy for Veterans’ Division 1 was said to be full of names, and a new one would be needed soon.
In further discussion about the composition of the evening league, the general opinion was that twelve teams meant too long a season, and nine teams too short a season. The meeting closed at 9.05pm.