|
|
|
| HORFIELD & REDLAND CHESS CLUB AGM1 September 2009Draft Minutes The meeting was opened at 7.40 pm by chairman Alex Dunn in the presence of 16 members. Apologies for absence had been received from Messrs Chatterjee (his birthday) and Reed (unwell). In his remarks the chairman commented on the healthy attendance and, in particular, the welcome appearance of three new members : Stephen Xiong, Terje Sjostrom, and Roy Harron ; plus the return of Harvey Atkinson. [Another new member, Derek Pugh, joined us later.] No matters arose from the 2008 minutes. (This was probably more due to the absence of contentious issues than the very limited number of printed copies available.) The secretary reported his usual steady reception of emails, phone calls and written correspondence. An important letter from the League Management Committee had, not unreasonably, drawn attention to our elastic interpretation of the rules governing registration of players. Other matters conveyed by the secretary included reference to the 27th Keynsham Rapidplay ( Sun 27th Sept) ; the fixture schedule and late delivery of handbooks ; Graham Strickland’s award (of a silver tankard and pint of real ale) for the most enterprising attack played at the first Steve Boniface Memorial Tournament ; a donation of books to the club library from former member Peter Ridsdale ; and the loss of two much-valued members : Martin Davies (to Thornbury) and Thomas Weiss ( returned to Germany). Discussion of the treasurer’s report centred on how best to halt the continued decline in our reserves (now only £248, or approx 20% of annual outgoings). This is despite last season’s subscription increase. It was eventually agreed that the twin routes to continuing solvency lie in closing the club on most nights when no home match is scheduled, and the pursuit of further recruitment. Subscriptions remain at £60 and £40 (concessions). Team reports included another narrowly arithmetic triumph in the Minor K.O.; a pleasing mid-table performance in Division 4 by a frequently out-graded D team ; a nifty photo finish by the C team, ahead of Clifton C, to take the Div 2 trophy; an ultimately disappointing relegation from Div 1 for the B team after some good results in the first half of the season ; and a satisfactory 3rd position for the A team who, without some occasional benevolence towards weaker opposition, might even have finished one place higher. The election of officers (conducted within the traditional clamour of enthusiasm) resulted in : chairman and treasurer, Alex Dunn; secretary, Howard Millbank; league team captains : Dan German/ Andy Russell (D); Alex Dunn (C); Kevin Thomas (B); Phil Nendick (A and K.O.); Graham Strickland (Minor K.O.) There being no further business the meeting concluded at approximately 9.20 pm. [The chairman, advised by the A team captain and secretary, then addressed the taxing matter of players’ registration.] Howard Millbank 02/09/09 |