Minutes of committee meeting held in the Comrades Club on 7th July 2008
Present Alan Grunwald, Lyn Morton, Alan Parker, Stan Powell, Keith Robbins,
Avis Roberts
Apologies Arthur Jones, Jonathan Robinson
Matters arising Various matters would be discussed as indicated in the agenda.
Lyn Morton reported that the club had made a profit of £57.30 on the recent World Wide Sims. This had been added to the Bridgemate fund which now stands at £241.
Currently paid-up members totalled 53 compared to 68 last year. Alan Parker would contact local news sheets to obtain more publicity since it was recognised that some of last year’s members were unlikely to rejoin.
Keith Robbins said that we would again enter two teams in the Wessex League. He would organise the ‘A’ team and Lyn Morton the ‘B’ team. Home matches would be held on Monday evenings in the Methodist Church hall. We would try to hold both A and B matches on the same evening. Captains would liase to pick the best teams.
Alan Grunwald reported that there had been little progress since the last meeting. Currently the cost would be £900 for 6 tables plus £100 for each additional table plus £90 for Scorebridge i.e. a total cost of about £1.6K since we should need equipment for 12 tables. Lyn Morton agreed to liase financial details with Alison Nicolson. It was thought feasible that we could repay a loan at £250/month. We should try to sort this out by the end of July with the aim of starting use in September. A written contract would be needed and the storage cupboard reorganised.
Alan Parker reported on the current situation in which boards were supplied by the OBA ( Pauline Brown) at a cost of £9 per set. Collection of the boards was shared between Wantage and Faringdon bridge clubs. Currently we had sufficient boards to last us to the end of August.
Alan Grunwald had investigated the possibility of providing boards more locally on a not for profit basis and had concluded that in order to avoid making a loss and to recover the investment for a duplimating machine, boards, cases etc within a reasonable time, while providing a service for 4 session per week, it would be necessary to charge a similar price to that currently charged by the OBA. In view of the increased risk of such an arrangement he would be unable to recommend it to the committee. (He was also unable to identify 4 sessions a week that might require boards).
It was agreed to continue with the present system although if problems arose there would be other possible sources of boards e.g. the EBU or Alison Nicolson.
A course for 40 directors organised the the EBU would be held on Saturday 29th November in the Methodist Church hall (10.30 - 4.30). Places would be made available for up to 6 Wantage members.
The performance of the OBA was discussed at some length and there were varying criticisms of its efficiency. Currently Alan Grunwald is the OBA Tournament Secretary and we are allowed to send 2 delegates to the OBA meetings. Recently we have often not bothered to send delegates to attend meetings. If we want to improve the OBA we must ensure that the club is fully represented. Therefore we should ask for volunteers to attend who need not be committee members. (List of volunteers on notice board?)
Since there was some uncertainty regarding the future use of the Comrades Club by the bridge club other possible venues should be considered. Alan Parker would investigate the British Legion clubhouse.
No progress had been made regarding the organising of a Club Championship.
A conducted tour of Basildon House, near Pangbourne, would be organised by Arthur Jones if there was sufficient support by club members.
Alan Parker complained about the delays in the direct allocation of master points by the OBA to the EBU. This was similar to the situation in 2007. A.P. would attempt to resolve the problem.
The current status of the Wantage B.C. website was discussed. Some committee members considered that the website could be improved if it was updated more frequently. A club news page was advocated.
The possibility of issuing printed master points was raised. Since the current system in which the Secretary issued written points certificates was working, no further action was required at present.
Monday 6th October at 7.30 pm in the Comrades Club.
Post-meeting note. The next meeting has been postponed to October 13
Alan Parker (Hon. Secretary – Wantage Bridge Club)
13th July 2008