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John Anzani, Peter Biggs, Matt Gummer, Tim Harry, Steve Hewlett, Stuart Hunt (chair), Bruce Kennedy, Andy Lee, Chris Lewis, Richard MacMillan (secretary, eventually), Keith Miller, Paul O'Connor, Lloyd Peters, Giles Pott, Tony Rose, Phil Solomon

1.  Apologies for absence

Jon Harry, David Lloyd, Barry Read, Geoff Gummer, Phil Jones, David Muir (from Australia), Mike Redfern

Non-apologetic for absence: Mike Welbrock

2.  Matters arising from the last EGM

JA suggested that the Committee's contact list should provide proper addresses, which was generally agreed.  (The Secretary was not present to ask exactly what this meant, or to encourage members to keep him informed of changes of address/phone nos).

MG made reference to the booking of a coaching net earlier in the year.  This was described by PoC as a "fiasco" (through no fault of RedBat, incidentally).   It was agreed that the Committee will continue booking coaching nets "as and when required".

Lloyd P suggested that the membership should seek to conduct themselves in a proper manner to avoid acrimony, anticipating a long drawn-out evening of disharmony.   Instant response from Phil Solomon - "We're all on the same side except Lloyd".  A promising start.

3, 4, & 5.  Tour

Steve Hewlett suggested that the night's agenda consisted of two basic issues, namely does the club tour with 17 or all 21 present applicants, and the vote should initially decide between the two.  This was seconded by PoC.

Phil Solomon "Yes, but"ed.  A general discussion  ensued, in which it was established that two fixtures were presently available on the Saturday of the tour, and that fixing convenient accommodation for 21 applicants plus companions would not be a problem.  Amidst scenes of joy, profound disbelief, anticlimax and a rushing sound of wind being taken out of pre-inflated sails, and notwithstanding a muttered cavil about possibly weak RBCC sides being fielded, the principle of a fourth fixture was proposed by Chair Stuart Hunt, and seconded by Keith Miller.

Joy turned to hysteria with the revelation from Lloyd Peters (RedBat Player of the Year 1963) that he was prepared to play two games if it was for the greater good of the Collective.  Seizing the moment, Stuart then put the proposal that everyone who wants to go on the tour (i.e. The 21) can go, and the 4 fixtures will be played.  This was seconded by John Anzani.

At 8.07 pm, RedBat history was made with a UNANIMOUS vote in favour of the proposal.

Dazed general discussion followed, revolving around the need for accommodation to be suitable for those couples desirous of having relations of an intimate nature during the tour (cries of Shame, What's that mean? etc).  The Committee shouldered this burden.   John Anzani volunteered a possible ringer for the Saturday double-header.

Giles Pott raised a number of 'what if...' questions, which received the response from Lloyd Peters (RedBat Player of the Year 1971) "Let's cross that bridge when we come to it".

6.  Future tours

Phil Solomon proposed the appointment of a Tour Director, either from the Committee or the general membership, as a specialist position to ease the weight of responsibility on the Fixtures Secretary, who has until now been responsible.

Phil also claimed that PoC's earlier uttered comments concerning the tour 'system' arose from a flawed recollection.  It was not a circumstantial arrangement, but was chosen to account for those occasions when more than 17 members wanted to tour.

(The Beard arrived at 8.17, too late to use his hat and 21 pieces of beautifully printed paper with single and double bat emblems upon them.)

Steve Hewlett said the postal ballot system was no good.

Lloyd wanted to know what kind of tour we wanted: a small number of tourists, or a mass of grey unknowns.  PoC wants as many as possible to go.

Matt Gummer invoked the Spirit of the Collective - if you want to go, go.

Phil suggested a final decision be left to the AGM, and agreed with John Anzani that we should wait and see the success of this tour.

A Proposal from John, seconded by Phil, was to not change the system until we have the benefit of experience from the 1991 tour.  The Vote went thus:

A proposal was made by Phil that the Committee Member Without Portfolio be made Tour Organiser, and elected as such, as per other Committee members, at the AGM (seconded John Anzani).

PoC proposed an amendment that the Committee appoints the Tour Organiser from the membership (seconded Chris Lewis).

The Amendment was passed with two against, and the proposal thus amended was passed with only 1 against.

7.  Any other business

PoC (proposing) demanded to know which of the tourists were not present at the EGM, and Keith (seconding) insisted that names were named.  Voting went 11 in favour, 3 against, with 2 abstentions (but there is no record of the names being named.

They were: David Lloyd, Phil Jones, Chris Brasier, Geoff Gummer, Farooq Hamid, Mike Redfern).

Stuart announced his resignation from the Committee in order to piss off up north with his delightful family and fecund bollocks.  In what looked very much like a fait accompli, Tony Rose was proposed to succeed him as Minister Without Portfolio, and was returned unopposed, apart from the votes against and the abstentions.

Phil wanted the Committee to be aware that every year, come October/November, a large deposit is required to cover the following year's tour accommodation, and that the Committee should be prepared to have it covered, one way or another.

Steve Hewlett recklessly suggested grand larceny to provide funds to cover the deposit, but didn't appear to be volunteering.

Matt suggested that for the election of the Committee at the next AGM, job descriptions should be prepared for each person, including Tour Organiser.

PoC expressed disappointment at the lack of support/availability leading to the cancellation of the match against the London Sports Club for the Blind.  He was not alone in this. (The match may be rescheduled for later in the season, depending on pitch availability.)

In a moving tribute, Matt thanked Stuart for all his efforts on behalf of the Committee this year, and for both his runs in past seasons.  There were tears, laughter, and not a few merry comments from the meeting wishing Stuart well in the wilderness, er future.

The meeting voted by 9 votes to 4 that the expression Redbatters be outlawed as unacceptable.  The word 'players' should be used instead.

There being nothing left to discuss, the Chair brought the meeting to a close at 9.00pm.