WANTAGE BRIDGE CLUB

WANTAGE BRIDGE CLUB

Minutes of a committee meeting held on June 13^th 2006

Present

Alan Grunwald, Arthur Jones, Ken Eaton, Alan Parker, Lyn Morton, Avis Roberts, Peter Cecil, Keith Robbins, Jonathan Robinson.

Apologies None.

Chairman’s Introduction

Alan Grunwald welcomed our two new committee members – Avis Roberts and Keith Robbins. He reported that the club had won Division 5 of the Wessex League and thanked all those who had contributed to the success.

Treasurer’s Statement

Ken Eaton stated that last year we had spent more than anticipated. This presented no problem since we now have £1,670 cash in hand. During last year we had purchased a laptop computer plus a cheap printer (£44). This printer had failed but Keith Robbins thought that he could provide a more reliable one for about £50.

Ken was asked to arrange for the collection of annual subscriptions (£7.50 per head). He was also asked to ascertain how we could obtain interest on the current account (2% from Nationwide?)

Matters arising from the AGM held on May 18^th

New EBU Directives. After discussion it was decided to adopt these as from August 3^rd 2006. Keith Robbins suggested that these should be tried and if they caused problems we should complain to the EBU.

All pairs should have convention cards. If not, they should only play standard Acol. Overcalls with only a 4 card suit must be stated on convention cards.

Seating on club nights. Any shifting of the polarity of pairs prior to play should be left to the discretion of the director.
Improver’s Cup. This would normally be awarded to the player showing the greatest annual percentage improvement. The decision of the committee would be final, but the cup would not be awarded to the same player on successive years.

Lederer Anniversary hands

It was agreed that at our club night on Thursday 26^th September we would play these selected hands. The Secretary would obtain further details from the LMBA. (Cost £10).

Practice session for teams

Keith Robbins would arrange for a session to be held early in September. He would liase with Alan Parker to organise this.

Sessions for beginners and juniors

These had been advocated last year but no action had been taken so far. The meeting thought that we should encourage ‘social’ bridge players in the area to try duplicate bridge. A ‘one off’ event would be organised at the end of March or beginning of April 2007. It was emphasised that this must not be intimidatory.

Avis Roberts suggested that we might organise mini-bridge sessions for youngsters in Grove. She would discuss this with Alison Nicolson.

OBA meeting on June 12^th 2006

Alan Grunwald reported on this. OBA membership had increased and they had £20K in the bank. We would lend tables for the Benson events (pairs and teams) in June if required.

The Wessex League fixture meeting would take place on Monday 11^th September.

Any other business

A visitor, John Sterry, had been taking snuff on a club night. This was found to be objectionable by some of our members. It was agreed that this practice should not be allowed in the playing area and that the director should enforce this ban.

Slow play has been a problem on occasions. The director must try to speed up play when necessary. The Secretary would purchase a ‘pinger’ which might help the director.

Duplimate boards supplied by the OBA were welcomed by committee members. Alan Parker would contact Stephen Brown (OBA) regarding the possible withdrawal of curtain cards by him. The alternative of using travellers with the hands printed on them, as used in BGB Sim Pairs, was thought to be unsatisfactory.

Alan Parker would obtain relevant papers for the Kidney Research Sim Pairs to be played on July 6^th.

The Chairman would contact Keith Sadler about the Christmas Party which Keith had organised successfully in 2005.

Dates of next meetings:

Wednesday October 4^th 2006

Monday January 8^th 2007

Tuesday March 27^th 2007

(These dates have to be confirmed)

Alan Parker (Hon. Secretary)

5^th July 2006