Present Alan Grunwald, Arthur Jones, Ken Eaton, Alan Parker, Lyn Morton,

Avis Roberts

Apologies Keith Robbins, Peter Cecil, Jonathan Robinson

Alan Grunwald thanked the committee for all their work in keeping the club running well since Christmas. He planned to be back in Wantage by the end of May 2007.

Ken Eaton said that he had split the club’s finances. We now had a bank account (with a cheque book) containing £300 and a Building Society account which contained over £1000. The latter should generate £30-£40 per year in interest. Our assets were somewhat lower than last year, mainly due to the £400 spent on the Christmas party in 2006. Also the cost of room hire had now increased to £25 per session from £17.50.

After discussion it was agreed to keep table money at £1.50 (guests £2.50) and to increase the annual subscription to £10 from £7.50. We would limit the club’s contribution for the Christmas party to £200. We would decide later if we could afford any contribution to charities.

Ken said that he would resign at the AGM and he was thanked for all his efforts over the last ten years. Lyn Morton had volunteered to replace him so she would act as assistant treasurer for the next few weeks.

• The alerting procedures suggested by the EBU seem to be working fairly well - at least comparable with other local bridge clubs. Arthur Jones suggested that some of the EBU suggestions were illogical. The committee thought that a letter outlining our reservations should be sent to the EBU by Keith Robbins since he has been nominated as our Senior Director (see below)
• The committee thought that duplimated boards were useful although they cost us about £4 per session; they should continue to be used
• Recently there had been no complaints about car parking but the Secretary pointed out that the markings in parts of the car park were poor – he would contact the Comrades Club pointing out that owners of cars would not like to impede emergency vehicles or taxis
• Alan Grunwald reported on a possible bridge weekend in Wiltshire. Up to 20 people could be accommodated at about £140 per head from Friday to Sunday morning. It was thought that this idea should be submitted to the AGM in May to ascertain members’ reactions.

A report by Keith Robbins on Wantage teams had been prepared. The "A" team had finished top in Division 4 of the Wessex League while the "B" team still had one match to play in Division 5.

Wantage would enter a team in the summer Ridgeway Cup. In order to improve our record we would try to enter the "A" team in matches against Highworth and Newbury (the likeliest strongest opponents) and to play the "B" team against the other three teams.

Afternoon sessions had been suggested by some Wantage residents. Some of these people thought that the use of bidding boxes and the "calling of the director" were intimidating to less experienced players who needed a less formal approach. After discussion the committee thought that the idea of afternoon sessions should be discussed at the next committee meeting. More interest is likely during next winter.

Avis Roberts, helped by Hazel Aldridge and Mary Greenfield, had been running Mini-Bridge classes in Grove for 7 weeks which are highly successful. There had been substantial interest and some of the youngsters had considerable potential. Avis hoped that the scheme could be extended to older children at King Alfred’s school.

Local events, which would gain double local points, have to be played over 36 boards. Therefore they would have to take place over two evenings or at a single Saturday/Sunday session. Swiss teams or pairs would be a possible format. Since there could be organisational problems, e.g. finding a suitable venue, the committee thought that such an event should be discussed at the AGM.

• Arthur Jones suggested that Keith Robbins should be appointed as Senior Director of the club (this would not entail expansion of the committee). This was agreed but this idea would need ratification at the AGM and if carried would entail modification of the existing club constitution. (Arthur Jones would be willing to do this)
• At our last meeting Keith Robbins offered to draft a set of notes for club directors
• The date of the next committee meeting would be decided after the AGM.

Alan Parker (Hon. Secretary)