25 January 2010, 7.30pm
Held at Cheadle Conservative Club
The President asked delegates to stand for few moments in silence in memory of colleagues who had passed away in the last year. These included Jack Barratt of Bungalow, Tom Edwards and Vincent McDermott of Cheadle Kingsway, Brian Clapham of Didsbury, John Edwards of Fallowfield, Vic Broster and Garth Snape of Heald Green Social, Ernie Lewis and Alf Waddington of Houldsworth WMC, Richard Stewart of Levenshulme Catholic, David Berry of Nursery, Geoff Carrol of Royal Oak, Les Bownas and David Walker of South Reddish, Stanley Scott of Stockport CC, Barry Johnson and Les Salt of Thorn Grove and Ronnie Bownas and Harry Edwards of Victoria.
Present: President, Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer Vets’ Match Secretary and delegates
Absences: Northenden social, Wythenshawe Park
The minutes of the previous annual general meeting had been circulated. There was one correction: in the Obituary the name Graham Robinson should read Ray Robinson (Heald Green Social). The amended minutes were taken as read and approved.
The half-yearly meeting scheduled for November 2009 had not been necessary. The minutes of the previous meeting (November 2008) had been circulated in November 2009. They were taken as read and approved.
Evening league
Cheadle Kingsway have resigned from the league. They have decided to play in the Alderley mixed league instead, so that their lady members can play. We have one new team this year: Northern Etchells. I suggest putting them in Division C to replace Cheadle Kingsway.
Last year we had nine teams in Division A and ten in the other divisions. There has been a suggestion that the senior division should be at full strength where possible. So I propose promoting three from Division B, and otherwise promoting and relegating two. [There was some discussion on this point. The consensus was that the same division should not be the smallest every year.]
Last year we tried running the Bob Newlan Trophy on Tuesday evenings after the league season. This was a reasonable success: only two teams scratched out, both in the first round. We also has a somewhat chaotic but enjoyable Merit at the end of the season. So I suggest keeping the same programme for this year.
If you agree with this plan, I should have the fixtures available in the next week or so.
Veterans’ league
We have applications from three teams: Royal Oak are re-entering their second team (they scratched at the start of last season). Torkington Park is a new club to us. The third application, from LMRCA was withdrawn at the meeting.
Royal Oak B were in Division 6 before they dropped out, so they should go back there. Torkington Park’s teams in the Parks Vets’ league finished bottom of bottom of division B and mid-table in division D (the lowest division). So I suggest putting them in our division 5.
A place had been reserved for LMRCA in Division 4, which would now have 11 teams.
Great Moor Conservative have changed their name to Great Moor Sports & Social. I expect the old name will linger until I find all references to it.
Green Rotas and Player Registrations
You should all have a copy of the green rotas for the evening and vets’ leagues as appropriate. Please make sure your greens are available as required. Also you should have a list of your players from last year to help you register players for this year.
Great Moor Sports ‘C’ Home matches
The meeting agreed that these matches may be played at 10.30am.
Next meeting
The next meeting will be on 29 March This is a short but important meeting when we distribute the handbooks and other paperwork you need for the season. I expect to distribute the fixtures in the next week or two.
The treasurer summarised the accounts. Because of the way the invoice was presented there was a transfer of expenditure from Engraving to League Average Prizes, but no material change. The secretary’s expenses for 2009 actually covered two years, and also included the costs of running the web site. The web site costs were mostly offset by payments from other leagues.
The auditor commended the accuracy of the accounts and the thoroughness of their author.
Mr J Forrest announced his retirement as treasurer. Mr Tom Forsyth was willing to take this job on. There were no other nominations, and the other officers were willing to continue.
President: D Walker Chairman: DJ McKnight Hon Secretary and Match/Results Secretary (evenings): ER Kavanagh Hon Treasurer: T Forsyth Hon Veterans Secretary: vacant; no nomination received Hon Results Secretary (Vets): A Bligh Management Sub-committee: S Alsop, T Bills, J Pearson, A Rowlinson, H Beech, N Dewey
The Chairman spoke on Jack Forrest’s retirement. He summarised Jack’s extensive bowling career and praised his contribution to the league. He noted especially the presentation nights, when Jack and Greta organised huge and popular occasions, including all the catering. The Chairman presented Jack with an engraved fruit bowl to remember us by. The meeting joined in his thanks.
The meeting approved honorariums conforming to the five-year plan. The new honorariums were as follows.
Treasurer £420
Secretary £420
Match secretary £250
Veterans’ secretary £250
Veterans’ match secretary £250
The honorarium for the veterans’ secretary would be split between the secretary and the veterans’ match secretary.
There was no further business and the meeting closed at 8.15pm