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Present: Matt Gummer, Tim Harry, Steve Hewlett, Bruce Kennedy, Chris Lewis, Richard MacMillan, Keith Miller, David Muir (Chair), Paul O'Connor (Secretary), Giles Pott, Barry Read, Tony Rose

1.  Election of Chair

David Muir elected unopposed due to his standing in the collective and to his sobriety (a state he was to come to regret as the evening wore on).

2.  Apologies for absence

Phil Solomon, Phil Jones, Geoff Gummer, Joe O'Halloran, Andy Lee, Mike Redfern, Pete Biggs

3.  Matters Arising from Minutes of the 1992 AGM

POC, as the voice of Phil Solomon for the evening, questioned why there were such copious fixtures as there was a suspicion that the AGM had in an understated sort of way decided upon less fixtures.  As the minutes of the meeting were none too clear on the matter the status quo remained.

The same disembodied voice of PS suggested that the rest week-end currently sitting a couple of weeks before the tour be moved to earlier in the season.  Not many takers for this suggestion, other than a heartfelt 'fuck off' from an affronted Fixtures Secretary.

Giles suggested that the status of the rest week-end currently scheduled for 13th June be played by ear, ie if we have a load of games rained off attempts will be made to slot in a fixture.  No recorded dissention to this idea.

Skippy launches into a gee-up of the weary troops, consisting  of reminders on the need to be available to play, to make your committee members aware of the fact by Monday of the week before the fixture, and to learn a forward defensive sometime in the next two weeks.

4.  Treasurer's Report

Bruce gave a report on the financial standing of the collective, showing a current balance of £304.73.

Tim pointed out that although not recorded as such he had in fact given his subs to Chris in a pub in Holborn (there is a body of opinion that anyone willing to rely on Chris's memory after a night on the piss has only themselves to blame).  Chris was going to investigate.

Matt let everybody know that there was no chance of anyone getting any money out of him on this particular evening.

5.  Sleeping Members

Apologies from the secretary for unaccountable misspelling 'sleeping' as 'country' in the agenda.

It was during this discussion that Chris disappeared into a parallel universe where all matters were discussed from alternative standpoints in ever-decreasing circles.  He eventually popped back out sometime on Saturday afternoon.

There was some disagreement over the means by which sleeping membership was to be invited, which was resolved by a motion proposed by Giles and seconded with passion by the space cadet, that the meeting vote on any member looking like they fancied a kip.   All those identified by this process would receive a soothing letter from the secretary with these minutes, advising them of their rights under the Geneva Convention.   Any voted as prospective sleeping members may reasonably object should they wish to do so, and may therefore continue to enjoy full membership rights including the right to pay their annual subscription.

A run through the membership list put six heads on the pillow.  In each case the votes cast were as follows:

There was some discussion over what was to become of the outstanding debts of any sleeping member.  This included some non-specific character assassination from Tony, now proving a worthy rival to Chris in the Bilious Stakes, a handicap for thirty year olds.  Once everyone was punched out it was agreed that any likely sleeping member would be approached by their committee member and requested to make good the debt with due regard to the number of games they have played over the period the debt has been accumulated.  The slate would then be clean should they ever awake from their slumbers.

6.  1993 Tour

The secretary gave a summary of the playing arrangements for this year's tour to Norfolk, amounting to three fixtures over the August Bank Holiday week-end against Shipdham, Shropham and Hales.  Steve declared that a booking had been made with a Norwich hotel which had come to us recommended and which seemed at a distance to be happy with the prospect of late/all night drinking.  Neither is it run by a neo-Fascist with a dislike of late breakfasters.

A ripple of applause was passed in appreciation of the efforts of the small but perfectly-formed Phil Solomon  in securing the tour fixtures.

From the parallel universe Chris demanded a pound of flesh from Steve (who arguably can afford several) to pay for the complete fuck up he made of the tour arrangements.   This failed to placate the by now rabid CL.

A long a confused debate then raged over how, should the necessity arise, seventeen good men and true would be chosen from an excess of applicants.

A consensus at least existed that interest should be registered by depositing the sum of £10 for each tourist, playing or not with the Hon Treas by a close date of 31st May.   Deposits would not be accepted until the minutes of this meeting had been despatched.  The Hon Sec swore under oath to get the minutes sent out within a fortnight, which would be a personal best by some distance.

Proposals over how an excess over 17 would be catered with came thick and fast, some bearing a passing resemblance to reality, others not.  These included numbering the deposits as they arrived, and drawing the first 17 from a hat (possibly Lloyd's smelly number that has been resident in the bag for the last four years).

The first of these didn't find a seconder.  The second was proposed and seconded by Giles Pott and Tony Rose, but fell by 5 votes to 4.  The next proposal that the committee should decide upon the most appropriate 17 tourists by legislating in favour of 'full playing members' was proposed by Steve and seconded by persons unknown.  This was passed by a margin of 6 votes to 4.  The definition of what constituted a 'full playing member' was left to the committee's discretion.

7.  Vice Captaincy

The proposals were David Muir (by Matt Gummer and seconded by the clean-shaven Beard) and Paul O'Connor (by Tony Rose and seconded by Giles Pott).  The voting went in favour of DWM Muir by a margin of 10 to 4.  Dave was duly applauded as the vice captain for the 1993 season.

8.  AOB

The need for new gear was raised, but as no-one present had a clue what was required, this was left to the discretion of the committee.

POC informed the meeting that an opportunity has arisen for the purchase of the wherewithal for RBCC to own the means of production, distribution and exchange of tour tee-shirts.  This would involve an outlay in the region of £50.  The motion to do so was duly proposed and seconded, and passed by a margin of 11 votes to 1 (take it away, John).

The Hon Treas announced that nets were booked for 26/4, 5/5 and 12/5 between 7 and 9.

Matt proposed that the collective look into the purchase of a scoreboard.  This was passed by 5 votes to 4 with 3 abstentions, and Matt was duly empowered to trawl the shops of South-East London for a scoreboard which would fit into someone's handag.

The Hon Sec undertook to keep a list of ringers we use and how often.

Keith eulogised about the fun to be had by anyone man enough to venture to Manchester for the MOB game.

The meeting was declared closed by an exhausted but not emotional Dave Muir at 10:35.