Those present and Apologies 34 members present; apologies from Harry Freeman and Avis Roberts.

Matters arising from the previous AGM held on 29.4.03 None.

Attendance at club evenings had shown a steady increase so that by 2004, 114 people had attended one or more club evenings compared with 72 in 2002.

The Chairman thanked club members for speeding up play during the season which had helped directors to run the evenings more smoothly.

Four members had successfully completed the EBU Club Directors Course during the year.

Bi-monthly teams of four had been held during the season and had been well attended.

In the Wessex League the Wantage team had been more successful than in recent years and managed to win two and draw one of their eight matches.

The Chairman proposed that a new Wantage web site (www.wantagebridgeclub.org.uk) should be set up at a cost of £20 per year. This was agreed by the meeting.

A new constitution (dated 27.12.04) had been drawn up and had been put on our existing web site. No positive or negative feedback from members had been received prior to this meeting. Copies of the constitution were distributed and it was suggested by Alison Nicolson that e mail addresses should be included in the list of members (section 5). The Constitution was agreed by the majority of members present (24 in favour).

Ken Eaton presented the accounts for the year which showed an excess income of £505.96 which was most satisfactory. Reasons for this included a reduction of charitable donations from £600 to £300 and the fact that no further tables were purchased.

In addition to the hire of the hall the club paid an extra £5 per week for cleaning.

Keith Robbins suggested that the club should use a bank which pays interest on our account. The Treasurer agreed to consider this.

Alan Parker reported that various simultaneous pairs events had been held during the season which had been well supported. In addition we held qualifying heats for both the OBA and national pairs.

During the coming season we would organise a Summer League (teams of eight) of 5 local clubs – Wantage, Hungerford, Newbury, Highworth and Frilford Heath.

During this season we would run a handicap competition for pairs and for individual players using data compiled on a weekly basis by Alan Grunwald.

The Secretary proposed that the club should donate £350 to the Wantage Nursing Home Charitable Trust. This organisation plans to install a 50 bed unit based on the site of the old Wantage Health Centre. This proposal was accepted.

Alan Grunwald has agreed to become the club’s OBA representative.

The members of the existing committee were prepared to continue for a further year and were elected by the meeting.

The committee comprises:-

Chairman Alan Grunwald

Vice Chairman Arthur Jones

Treasurer Ken Eaton

Secretary Alan Parker

Keith Robbins proposed that curtain cards should be used on club nights (excluding simultaneous pairs). This was agreed by the meeting and would start on May 19^th for a four month trial period. In addition , he suggested that all players should have convention cards – this would be considered by the committee at their next meeting.