AGM of Red Bat
Cricket Collective
Venue: The Station, Hither Green, somewhere South of the River
Date: 6 November 1999
Present
Peter Biggs, Matt Gummer, Bruce Kennedy (secretary), Chris Lewis,
Dave Muir, Paul O'Connor, Giles Pott, Mike Welbrock
1 Election of Chair
After a brief search for a suitable power-crazed despot, GP took the chair.
2 Apologies for Absence
had been received from Steve Hewlett, Phil Jones, Andy Lee and
Lloyd Peters.
3 Finance
Thanks to the unbending resolve of the Iron Treasurer, the collective
was found to be in the black to the tune of £68.43, with another £20 expected to accrue.
Probable expenditure for the coming season was estimated as follows:
| 3 bats in need of repair 2 new pairs of RH gloves
1 pair W/K inners |
Total £100 |
| administration expenses |
£10 |
A proposal to maintain the current
level of subs at £10 was carried without dissent.
After some discussion of likely candidates who might be persuaded to cough
up but currently don't, the meeting resolved that the Treasurer
should seek subs from Phil Jones this year.
4 Captaincy
The meeting expressed the thanks of the
Collective for POC's sterling service as Captain in 1999, secure in the knowledge
that, on this occasion, he was not trying to extract us from a nice warm pub in the
general direction of a windswept cricket ground.
As Paul was stepping down to spend more time with his outswinger, MG
proposed himself as Captain; PB agreed to stand as vice-Captain, and the dream ticket was
carried to power on a wave of euphoria and indifferent ale.
| Captain
|
Matt Gummer |
| V/C |
Peter Biggs |
5 Election of Committee
The remaining levers of power were seized by the following Gang of
Three:
| Treasurer |
Mike Welbrock |
| Secretary |
Bruce
Kennedy |
| Fix Sec |
Chris Lewis |
The fixture sec will be responsible (!) for the mini-tour fixtures as
well as the normal season.
6 Fixtures
The usual fixture discussion ensued. We don't seem to have upset
anyone too badly this year, so all last season's fixtures were on
the cards. It was agreed that we should seek return fixtures against Chadlington, Cokenatch and RCS.
Enthusiasm for the MobXI match seems to have waned on both sides, so the
Fix Sec was asked to find an alternative.
The SE London posse were in favour of LESSA, so it's time to reach for
the A-Z again.
7 Tour 2000
Firstly, the mini-tours. There was widespread agreement to this
scheme:
| Location |
Accommodation Tsar |
Notes |
| Suffolk |
PB |
|
| Oxford |
DM |
To include repeat fixture with Blackthorn (from last
year) |
The main tour attracted much discussion. There were three proposals in
addition to PJ's idea for a Millennium Tour. There was a consensus (a new departure for
the AGM, this) that a Millennium Event would be a Good Thing, but
that it should be separate from the Tour - the peculiar holiday arrangements of
Scottish schools were a major factor in this decision. The views of the Collective will be
sought before deciding where (Devon ?) and when (late July ?) Red Bat will take a fresh
guard and set out on the next 1000 years, or something. MG agreed to liaise with PJ to
make sure that something happens.
There were several options for the main tour.
Stuart Hunt had suggested the Lancaster area, which was turned down
on various grounds: very touristy area, so accommodation could be a problem; notoriously
unreliable weather; too far to travel for the soft southern contingent.
Bishop's Castle was brought up, and immediately dismissed on grounds
of accommodation.
Andy Lee's desire to visit the Isle of Wight was vetoed as it would
pose huge travel problems.
The winning region proved to be the Peak
District (no, you're not reading the 1998 minutes); Phil Jones, who was absent
and therefore unable to defend himself, was elected to organise the Tour, with GP
volunteering as first reserve in case Phil couldn't do it.
8 Nets
To be organised as and when anyone can be bothered, and paid for by
whoever turns up.
9 Gear
This had already been discussed under Finances, so with kick-off time
approaching the meeting staggered on towards AOB.
10 AOB
PB proposed Robin Biggs as a new member; this was almost certainly
seconded by someone. The meeting seized this rare infusion of new blood with enthusiasm,
and Robin was elected nem con, so you can expect to see him
propping up a bar near you next May.
POC reported that we still have £50 belonging to the opposition from the
Chatsworth match, as their half of the pitch fee. Since the person who should have
collected this (and unlocked the pavilion to protect our undergarments from public
scrutiny) was undetectable on the day of the match, and has now allegedly received the tin
tack, it seems unlikely that we will ever pay for the pitch. The meeting decided to send the money back to the opposition, even though they
stuffed us.
The meeting then broke up amid scenes of disorder, and some of those
present settled down to watch the French failing to beat Australia.
Minutes: Bruce Kennedy, 17 Dec
1999 (with thanks to Dave M for his assistance) |