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AGM of RedBat Cricket CollectiveDate: 1990Present: Peter Biggs, Matt Gummer (chair), Steve Hewlett, Stuart Hunt, Bruce Kennedy, Andy Lee, Chris Lewis, Dave Lloyd, Richard MacMillan (secretary), Keith Miller, Dave Muir, Paul O'Connor, Giles Pott, Phil SolomonApologies for absence were received from: Geoff Gummer, Phil Jones 1 Reading of the minutes of the last meeting (EGM) and matters arisingOur Secretary omitted to bring the minutes, and no-one could remember any points having arisen. 2 Financial reportOur Treasurer admitted to having lost the books (Is there a pattern appearing?) but has set up an alternative book showing the current balance to be £11.78 in the black. However the Collective is owed a total of £79 in subs for the 1990 season still unpaid. The meeting agreed to name the guilty persons, and these are they:
The meeting sends its outraged indignation to these defaulters and requests urgent payment to keep the Collective solvent. Letters are to be sent as extra reminders. (Proposed Dave Lloyd, Seconded Phil Solomon, Vote 12 for, 0 against, 1 abst.). Responding to persistent enquiries from Paul, Treas. explained that the huge quantities of dosh coursing in and out of the account were due to massive increases in the cost of Nets and pitches, that we also spent £229 on match gear, and that his forthcoming expensive foreign trip was totally unconnected to the matter. 3 1991 SubsGiles' calculations show that we cannot after all maintain the current subscription levels as we move into the Britain of the 1990s. He recommended that, taking into account the likelihood of some subs not being instantly forthcoming, futher increases in expenses (conservative est. of extra 15%) and a relatively modest spending on new kit next year, the new subs should be £30 for full members and £11 for country members. Cue PoC and Phil Solomon who didn't think this would raise enough money. There was considerable semi-acrimonious debate of the "No it isn't/yes it is" variety, until PoC delivered the bodyblow of a proposal, viz £30 for full members, £11 for country members. Seconded by Phil, this strangely familiar proposal was voted in (12 for, 0 against, 1 abst.) and we all wondered what the last 15 minutes arguing had been about. 4 KitNot an enormous amount of controversy here. PoC demanded that RBCC should invest in 2 unpires coats, since we currently don't even have any stolen ones. The principal problem being the eternal state of Kit-bag decrepitude, Matt suggested splitting the match gear between 2 smaller bags, but this appeared to be a recipe for disaster for most of those present, fearing the inability of both bags to meet up on match day. PoC helpfully offered to knit one bag. Steve Hewlett, not happy with what he saw as ad hoc arrangements for gear storage, offered the use of his cellar to keep it in. However, he was then informed that the kit lives in the Beard's house for 98% of the year. Even so, his cellar remains available for all functions, and reappears later. Dave Muir made the sound point that the wicketkeeper's gloves are repairable, and that the current ethos of the Throw-Away Society was, in his opinion, all wrong. Indignation was running low, so Dave Lloyd proposed that the Committee should buy new gear as and when it sees fit. Matt seconded, and no vote was taken. 5 New CommmitteeThe Chair rotated to Phil. Proxy votes were collected, and Pete Biggs arrived. Nominations beyond those in the agenda were called for. Steve Hewlett, in a fit of guilt brought on by Longevity without Responsibility, put himself forward for Treasurer, but withdrew because he would not be around enough. Chris Lewis made some fatuous remark or other as a direct and forthright response to being a bit pissed. Bruce nominated himself as Minister Without Portfolio. The voting was as follows:
6 NetsThe Chair re-rotated to Matt. The discussion on nets, and more specifically coaching, was long and detailed. Very long and detailed. This is a precis of the various points aired. Many members made the point that if the quality of play is to improve, a more focussed approach to net practice is necessary, and that since no-one in the team knows enough about batting in particular, a trained coach would be advantageous. Stuart proposed that someone should stand in the umpire's position to give expert analysis of every ball bowled and every shot played. This would not have been minuted, except that it brought forth the memorable Solly comment "This is the cant of hypocrisy" (the first time Stuart had been called a cant all night). Chris Lewis proposed Lords nets at £15/hr + £10 for a coach. Only afternoons are available, so this is of limited appeal, but if members want to do it, they should arrange it themselves. Andy Lee produced the old Outdoor Net chestnut, augmented by Giles's suggestion that the first fixture be a practice match. But it already is, they chorussed. Steve Hewlett suggests a friend of his, ex-county player, who would be available as a coach at nets. Andy Lee was very bullish about using the Molseley Mickey Stewart Cricket Centre ("it's fucking brilliant") but it is also fucking distant. Eventually a proposal was made by Keith (Stuart seconded) to ask the Committee to look into coaching at Brixton nets, with the intention of a minimum of 3 sessions, paid for by the attendees, and to ask Steve to speak to his friend with that in mind. Nets should continue as before. There was no dissent, and no vote was taken. 7 PitchesDave Lloyd wants to pounce on Southwark Council to prevent the kind of cock-up that led to the embarassment of the wass'name match. 8 FixturesA critical look at our oppositions produced a few unpopular fixtures: Dave Muir Fucking Hates The Non-Conformists, Especially The Little
Fucker With The Glasses. PoC agrees vehemently, but when put to the vote, we chose
to keep them on the roster (7 for, 4 against (all Dave Muir), 2 abst). We, the Collective, are committed by last year's meeting to arrange at least one match of mixed gender in the 1991 season. 9 1991 TourDave Lloyd, bless 'im, has preliminary arrangements with a highly suitable hotel in the Minehead area of Somerset, and two opponents so far - Timberscombe and Wooten Courtenay. The meeting applauded Mr Lloyd's efforts. 10 Reverse TourTwo of last summer's tour opponents, Ibberton and E.Lulworth are keen to play us, and the Fix. Sec. is to arrange a double-match weekend, to general enthusiasm. 11 New MembersThe meeting agreed that RBCC needs new members. Stuart was determined that they should be voted in at the EGM, pre-season. Chris Lewis agreed loudly, and made the mistake of quoting RBCC tradition in support of this. Collective Historian P. Solomon responded that it is only recently that the EGM took that role, and that before then it was the AGM that decided such things. Giles proposed deferral of any decision until April, seconded by Chris Lewis. Put to the vote, the proposal fell by 12 votes to 4 (err.....) Steve proposed voting on the 2 on the agenda (Tim Harry and Chris Brazier) as a first step (Pete Biggs seconded), carried by 10 votes to 1 (3 abst). Voting for new members was as follows:
The dam having been breached, Dave Lloyd proposed Jon Harry for membership. Voting was 10 for, 1 against, 3 abst. Then Dave Muir proposed Barry Read. Voting was 10 for, 1 against, 1 abstention, 1 absent. Andy Lee offered a friend up as an available player, and the Committee took it on board. The meeting welcomed the new members to the Collective bosom. 12 Player of the YearGiles proposed Matt fulsomely on grounds of runs scored. Dave Lloyd seconded and Dave Muir said bollocks, apparently unprovoked. Mike Redfern proxily nominated Andy Lee, and John Anzani proxily seconded. Paul O'Connor proposed O'Connor, P., and Keith seconded. Chris Lewis proposed Bruce for his tour bowling. Pete seconded. Exhaustive voting followed:
Red Bat player of the year 1990 was thus chosen as Andy Lee (cheers, laughter, emotional scenes). (N.b. No KitKat Strike Rate Award was made as the averages have yet to be calculated.) 13 Any Other BusinessHandsome, witty and charming Steve Hewlett thanked the Secretary for the elegance of his output, as did witty, charming and handsome Dinah Lloyd (proxily). Dinah and the Secretary also expressed thanks to Phil, Giles and everyone else connected with the summer tour for its outstanding success. The meeting ended at 10.40pm AppendixThrough diligent observation during the recent seasons, certain members have compiled a list of quotes they never said. They are as follows:
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