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Tim Harry, Bruce Kennedy, Andy Lee, Chris Lewis, Richard MacMillan (secretary), Keith Miller, David Muir, Paul O'Connor, Giles Pott, Tony Rose, Phil Solomon

There was an element of doubt expressed that this did not constitute a proper quorum, wherein half-plus-one of London members are required.  If any member has any misgivings about the validity of the following meeting and its decisions, please make their views known to the HonSec.

1.  Election of chair

Keith Miller put himself forward and was elected unchallenged.

2.  Apologies for absence

Barry Read, John Anzani, David Lloyd, Pete Biggs, Phil Jones, Matt Gummer, Jon Harry, Stuart Hunt

3.  Matters arising from the minutes of the AGM

There were none

4.  Statement from the Treasurer

The Collective's finances were described in detail, of which the following is a digest:

Current balance    £231.03
(not including tour deposits, which so far total £280, of which £100 has been paid as a deposit for accommodation in Cambridge.)  So far, to the balance carried over from last year, £64.03, has been added £382 from subs for this and last season.   Outgoings so far this season have been £49 for nets and £168.42 for new gear.   The meeting decided once more to name those guilty members who have subs owing:

1991 subs still outstanding:

1992 subs outstanding: all the above plus

5.  Kit report

Our strapping captain described the new gear bought, which precisely corresponded to the list and suggestions put forward at the last AGM.  PO'C suggested that this amounted to the purchase of Andy Lee's personal gear, but not content, AL put in for longer pads.  David Muir mentioned the state of the match bag, and the Beard mentioned the Tea Urn.  No one mentioned sandwiches or sweetcorn.  An important debate on ball quality was consigned to AOB.

6.  Statement from the Fixtures Secretary

Fixtures have been arranged as per the recommendations at the last AGM, i.e. a later start, two weekends off during the season (one being immediately post-tour), and exclusion/inclusion of teams as voted upon.  Upon being quizzed on the vast preponderence of Away matches, FixSec pointed out that as Belair 1 pitch is now £60 per match, he had anticipated that Collective funds would be over-stretched by more than the bare minimum of home matches.  Giles accepted this, but requested that 2 of the away games be rearranged to home fixtures.  Choice of which fixtures would be left to FixSec as only he knows which matches would allow such a switch.  The meeting was in general agreement with this suggestion.

Dave Muir and PO'C pointed out that even so, we would be more or less a travelling collective, and is everyone happy with that ?  DM was anxious that not taking up the hard-won options on home pitches this season would damage our chances in future seasons.   FixSec reassured the meeting that now we were on Southwark's list of bona fide local teams (since we all live in Southwark, obviously) we were well placed for the foreseeable future in this regard.

Andy Lee was concerned only with the quality of the pitch, and therefore the match, not its location.  Giles pointed out that Belair pitches were at least as good as many of those we play on elsewhere.

Phil S suggested we see how this season goes, and address the question of Home matches at the AGM, with the benefit of the season's experiences.  General agreement all round.

On the question of convenience of home matches, The Beard pointed out that for a great many members, the convenience of Belair was a myth, and that members arrive by car, as they do to any fixture.

PO'C suggests we accept the list as it is, and reserve comment for the AGM.  All are agreed, and congratulated FixSec on a full and frank list, with some juicy fixtures to start the season off.

7.  The 1992 Tour

Tour Liaison Officer David Muir reported that, following the AGM vote, Cambridge was duly chosen, reccied, and acted upon.  Accommodation has been arranged at a hotel conveniently close to Cambridge Railway Station.  Prices are £43 per double room per night, £60 per triple, to accommodate all those whose deposits were received by the December deadline.  There are, however, other rooms available for late bookers.   Contact David if you have any queries.  Cots for wee'uns can be arranged.   Rooms have showers.  There is a bar.

We have four fixtures arranged to allow 22 tourists to each play twice.  As per recommendation, the two-match day will this year be the Sunday.  See the fixture list for details.  All matches take place in the Golden Arc a few miles north of Cambridge.

PO'C raised the spectre of a Minibus.  The Chair swooped in with a 2 1/2 minute guillotine on discussion, but needn't have bothered sonce, after negative comments about difficulties over recent minibuses from Tony Rose and Phil, a proposal by PO'C out of Giles to not take a Minibus was passed unanimously.  Andy Lee put in for a tent to (ahem) 'be private in'.

To date we have 18 confirmed tourists.  PO'C requested that those confirmed on tour be listed so that those still considering it might see where they stand.  They are as follows:  John Anzani, Pete Biggs, Matt Gummer, Steve Hewlett, Stuart Hunt, Phil Jones, Bruce Kennedy, Andy Lee, Chris Lewis, Richard MacMillan, Keith Miller, David Muir, Paul O'Connor. Lloyd Peters, Giles Pott, Mike Redfern, Tony Rose, Phil Solomon.   Also intending to tour is Joe O'Halloran (see below first) and Dave Lloyd and Tim Harry are amongst those hoping to take part in the tour to some degree.

8.  New Members

Giles made the point, heartily endorsed by all those present, that the election of new members was not merely a means of 'getting a team out', and that a commitment to the Collective in all its manifestations was the most important element.

Nominations were as follows:

Nat Monck (Nom. Barry Read, proxily 2nded Tony Rose)
Joe O'Halloran (Nom. PO'C, 2nded Chris Lewis)

Voting was as follows, (bearing in mind that Country Members cannot vote in the election of new members):

Consequently, Joe O'Halloran becomes the newest member of RedBat Cricket Collective, and is warmly and fraternally embraced.  However, with a scouse now involved, the Chair realistically reminded members to watch their belongings.

This is not the first time that a possible new member has been proposed yet failed to be elected.  As in the past, the large number of abstentions indicates that not enough members have seen enough of the person concerned.  In this case, Nat is encouraged to take part in net practice and matches where possible this season.  No element of disapproval is involved.

9.  Election of Vice Captain

Nominations for the coveted position of Vice Captain of RedBat for the 1992 season were as follows:

Andy Lee (nom. by PO'C, 2nded Chris Lewis)
Phil Solomon (nom. by PS, 2nded PO'C)
David Muir (nom. by GP, 2nded PS)

Voting, (including proxies) by exhaustive ballot, with the least successful applicant being eliminated after each round, was as follows:

David Muir was thus installed as Vice Captain for the season, and heartily congratulated upon doing so.

10.  Any Other Business

Deferred from the New Gear report, there was a discussion about ball quality.   Andy Lee was keen that we choose a better quality match ball which could better survive the rigours of being smeared around the parks of the South East, and our innings as well.  PO'C suggested Kookaburras, which aren't shiny.  In general discussiom, it was agreed that since we have so many away fixtures this season, our contribution to the fixture being solely ball provision, a better quality ball is a Good Idea.  The excess cost (about £4 per ball) should be borne by Collective funds, players still paying £1 each on the day.  Andy Lee was deputed to be in charge of ball purchase. PO'C wants Kookaburras, which aren't shiny.

Prompted by the difficulty in achieving a quorum for this meeting, there was a discussion on the problem of existing members who have no expectation of playing or attending meetings, but who nevertheless affect the quorum, and 'muddy the waters' of the Treasurer's report, particularly how much of the outstanding subs we can realistically expect to see.

Suggestions included a new category of Honorary Membeship (DM), and the application of existing constitutional means to remove members who have played no part in the Collective's activities for 3 years or more.  However it was felt that we weren't seeking deselection, just a clarification.  The solution we came to was ... anyone with a proposal enabling us to deal with this problem should put it in writing to the HonSec in time for the next AGM as a possible amendment to the Constitution.  PO'C wanted Kookaburras, which aren't shiny.

The meeting closed at 10.30 pm