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Peter Biggs, Pete Chapman, Bill Gill, Geoff Gummer, Steve Hewlett, Stuart Hunt, Dave Lloyd (chair), Richard MacMillan, Keith Miller, Dave Muir, Paul O'Connor (secretary), Giles Pott, Tony Rose, Phil Solomon, Mike Welbrock

Absent with apologies

Richard Butterworth, Matt Gummer, Andy Lee

Absent without apologies

John Anzani, Bruce Kennedy, John Nolan, Lloyd Peters, Mike Redfern

The meeting kicked off at 7:45 pm.

1 Minutes of the last meeting

These were unavailable at the time of the meeting, but may become so at some undefined time in the future.

2  Nets

It was announced by Paul O'Connor that nets would take place at Brixton Recreation Centre on Thursday nights between 8 and 10 o'clock for five weeks commencing April 13th.

The matter of what should happen for the rest of the summer, bearing in mind that the collective could not afford to fork out for any nets beyond those detailed above, was then discussed (at some length).  Giles Pott voiced the suggestion that the possibility of outdoor nets should be considered, and at the same time made the surprising confession that he was not a sufficiently good cricketer that he could afford to go without practice.   Phil Solomon came out in favour of continuing with nets, inside or out, and made the point that they should be funded by those willing to do so rather than through an extra levy across the board.  Keith Miller pointed out that outdoor nets were almost always 'shite'.

The mood of the meeting was indicated by a show of hands, which demostrated nine of those present to be in favour of continuing with nets in some form or another.  The Committee accepted the responsibility of endeavouring to pursue this matter further by contacting each playing member with a view to discovering who exactly was willing to cough.  The Committee will make a booking in accordance with that information.

Giles Pott requested that the nets should commence earlier in the evening rather than later, and attracted general abuse for having done so.  Dave Muir was censured by the chair for excessively abusive comments.  Keith Miller requested that the nets take place on Wednesday rather than Thursday.

Stuart Hunt suggested that the collective embark upon fielding practice, and was outraged when this led to him being accused of being a Trot.  Dave Lloyd favoured fielding practice for 1/2 hour before a game, and was likened to David Gower (though not in cricketing ability).  Stuart Hunt liked this idea but also favoured individually-organised practice, and was likened to Mark Hebden.

3  Fixtures

Phil Solomon furnished the meeting with a fixture list and presented the details of this to the meeting.  The little man undertook to endeavour to find fixtures for those weekends where none at present existed.  Phil also made the point that the collective should attempt to master the art of playing cricket with a football before the match with the London Sports Club for the Blind.

Dave Lloyd pointed out that all full playing members should look to play around nine games this coming season.  He also informed the meeting that the Committee would select the team for the following weekend in the middle of the preceding week,  If the Committee had not been informed of availability, non-availability would be assumed.

The Secretary undertook to send out a list of which members each Committee member had responsibility for, with the minutes of this meeting.

4  The Tour

Phil Solomon outlined the arrangements made so far, which basically amounted to a full set of three fixtures.  Dave Muir outlined the arrangements for accomodation (a hotel for 21 and other bits and pieces).

The number of players to go on tour this year will be restricted to 17.  The first 16 to lodge a £5 deposit with Billy will be guaranteed two games, and the seventeenth will play just the one.  A £5 deposit should also be lodged for anyone wishing to be a part of the extravaganza, but not intending to play.  Any playing members who don't manage to make the first seventeen will be placed on a waiting list pending anyone dropping out.  Much money changed hands, and Stuart Hunt booked the seventeenth place.

(The Beard received a vote of censure from the chair for late arrival).

5  Equipment

Bill Gill informed the meeting that the following had been purchased:

• two light-weight bats
• one pair of normal-size buckskin batting pads
• one pair of enormous canvas batting pads
• one pair of buckskin wicket-keeper pads
• one bag

6  Finances

Bill Gill told the meeting that the collective at this moment in time were £58.70 in credit.  This figure takes account of the pitches for the forthcoming season having been paid for.  It does however mean that the collective cannot afford to pay for the nets that have been booked for the next five weeks (the cost of which having been temporarily covered by one of the Committee).  A  general plea was therefore made for the prompt payment of all outstanding subscriptions.

7  Election of a Vice-Captain

Those nominated in advance of the meeting were Giles Pott, Matt Gummer and Phil Solomon.  No other nominations were received at the meeting.

In the first round the voted were as follows:

A second vote was therefore taken which resulted in the casting of exactly the same number of votes for each nominee.

A third attempt was made which resulted in the following votes:

Phil Solomon was therefore eliminated from the ballot.

The second round of voting was as follows:

Matt Gummer was thus voted Vice-Captain of RBCC for the 1989 season (by a long head).

8  Country Members

Bill Gill reported to the meeting that Lloyd Peters wished to become a country member, and proposed that this wish be granted.  Paul O'Connor seconded the proposal.   On the grounds that this was the next best thing to expulsion this proposal received unanimous approval.

9  New Members

Stuart Hunt proposed Chris Lewis as a member of RBCC on the somewhat suspect grounds that he was a 'seriously wet socialist'.  This was seconded by Keith Miller.   Giles (Pol) Pott stuck his oar in on a constitutional point, along the grounds that any vote taken would be unconstitutional, but the vote on the proposal proceeded regardless.  The voting was as follows:

Chris Lewis was therefore elected as a member of RBCC.

Keith Miller requested that in future the agenda for any meetings should include, if possible, the names of anyone to be proposed for membership.  If that were not possible the agenda should at least include an indication that a vote on new members may take place.

Bill Gill made the suggestion that with the attendance at nets improving, RBCC members should take a more responsible attitude to inviting non-members to use the facilities booked by the collective,  This basically means not inviting anyone not seriously considering applying for membership.

10  Associate Members

Paul O'Connor informed the meeting that the existing associate members were Val Moon and Debbie Ehrenburg, and received a rebuke from the chair for suggesting that their responsibilities lay with the provision of teas.  Dave Lloyd proposed Dinah Lloyd for associate membership.  This proposal was seconded by Paul O'Connor.  Giles Pott persisted with his general line that any vote taken would be unconstitutional, quoting clause 3e in his defence.  Dave Lloyd retaliated with clause 4f, and Keith Miller drew the perfectly rational conclusion that the Constitution may contradict itself on this issue.  The Committee were charged with coming up with a suggested clarification in time for the next meeting.  Geoff Gummer suggested that a vote be taken on whether or not a vote on new associate members should be taken.  This was duly done, the voting being as follows:

A vote was then taken on the proposal the Dinah Lloyd become an associate member.   The voting was as follows:

(shurely shome mishtake).

Dinah Lloyd was thus elected as an associate member of RBCC.  Not being one to make a point once when it can be made three times, Giles Pott wished it to be recorded that he considered this vote to be unconstitutional.

On the question of the Constitution Dave Muir suggested that any member of RBCC could re-draft those clauses of the Constitution that required clarification.

11 Any Other Business

Phil Solomon raised the matter of the restriction of four games at present in force on country members, voicing the opinion that it was shameful that the collective considered it necessary to impose this restriction.  The spectre of the Ethos of RBCC thus reared its head for the first time at this meeting.  Phil wished to inform the meeting that he intended to propose at the AGM that this restriction be removed.   Mike Welbrock made the suggestion that the Committee could, each year, set the number of games that a country member could play.  Bill Gill suggested that if a country member played more than the allotted number of games, a match fee could be imposed.   Dave Muir considered that if a country member exceeded the allotted number of games, they should have to pay the full level of subscription.  Paul O'Connnor and Phil Solomon then embarked upon a lengthy disagreement on whether country members should be entitled to automatic selection whenever they indicated their availability for a game (those of you with memories stretching back to the Nuxley double-innings game last season should be able to identify who was arguing for what).  It can be assumed that the question of the restriction of games for country members will be a burning issue at the next AGM.

Keith Miller wished it be be known that he intended to propose an amendment to the Constitution in respect of the phrase 'of those expressing a preference' (at the AGM).

Giles Pott informed the meeting that Simon Bxx had expressed a wish to play for RBCC on the basis that he remained a member, having been voted in at some time in the past.   Dave Lloyd suggested that this issue may cause untold rancour and division within the collective, and that it may be in the best interests of RBCC if Giles explained this to Simon.  Phil Solomon weighed in with the observation that as Simon had not paid subscriptions for the last so many years, he was no longer a member under clauses 3c and d of the Constitution.  Phil and Bill Gill then made it clear to the meeting that it may be necessary to call an EGM to address this issue.  Steve Hewlett, having arrived at the moment of most contention, and wearing the Hat of Reason declared that this was a question of policy, and as such could not be applied retrospectively.  Phil retorted with clause 4d, which made clear that an EGM could be called by any five members, and referred to a 'groundswell of opinion within the collective'.  Steve proposed that notwithstanding clause 8a-f it was unfair to effect matters retrospectively, and indulged in some nonsense about 'not taking on Simon'.  The proposal was seconded by Mike Welbrock.  The voting was as follows:

Giles Pott remarked that Simon appreciates the depth of feeling within the collective, and requested a show of hands to indicate exactly what feeling was so deep.  This didn't occur.  Keith Miller proposed that Simon was still a full member of RBCC.

After much semantics the following clause was proposed for adoption in the Constitution by Steve Hewlett: 'RBCC does not approve of sporting or other links with South Africa that may be deemed to be supporting or condoning apartheid'.  This was seconded once again by Mike Welbrock, and the voting was as follows:

The question of John Nolan's status within the collective was enquired after by Paul O'Connor.  Mike Welbrock answered by stating that John had now paid his subscription for the coming season and would be playing.  Mike also pointed out that John had indicated that he considered the question of Simon's membership to be a resignation issue.   Phil Solomon pointed out that there may well be other members who also considered it to be such an issue.

A roll-call was taken of those who had not yet had the pleasure of providing match teas.  These were as follows:

No doubt there are others who did not attend the meeting who are in the same unfortunate position.

Dave Lloyd broke up in disarray and the meeting was therefore considered to be closed (at 10:25).

Stop press

Correspondence has been received addressed to the Head Groundsman of RBCC,  Anyone wishing to be considered for this prestigious position should contact their Committee member.