2008: AGM MINUTES
Held
at Woolwich Garrison Field Pavilion, Sunday, 16th November
Present: Tim Joyce, Colin Thomas, Maurice Cassidy (secretary), Tony
Dyson, Malcolm Stubbins, Simon Hall, Pete Stephens (chair), Gurj Bahra,
Tim Cousins, Paul Ricketts, Ronnie Ball, Ian Mercer
Apologies: Dave Turner, Tom Wilmot, Tom Lord, JCB, Prashant Bhanderi, Brian Hill
1. Minutes of 2007 meeting
These were distributed and approved, with no matters arising.
2. Review of the season / Captain’s report
Simon Hall delivered his report on the season, which saw the team
win 9 out of 18 games, with two drawn. The big moment of the season was
Pete Stephens’ four wickets against WGOMs: poor old Colin may never
live down his rabbit-in-the-headlights moment as Pete’s delivery looped
towards him and right on through to the stumps. The rest of the early
weeks of the season were coloured by our dismal start at Vincent Square
in the very first game, with puddles splashing up around JCB’s boots as
he ran in to bowl. We were soundly beaten yet again by the Crusaders
the following Sunday, lost narrowly to Acme, and also saw the death of
a fixture with one of our favourite opponents, Four Cs, who were no
longer able to get a Sunday team together. Highlights were few, with a
solitary win against Waggoners in a low-scoring game.
However,
we thrashed newcomers The Poly, marked up our first win – by seven
wickets – over the Mandarins, and recorded what may well be our biggest
win ever, beating Touring Theatres by 204 runs. In July we brushed
aside Whitstable and Old Dartex, and rounded out the mid-season by
getting our revenge against Acme with a win by 50 runs – including an
unbeaten 67 by Colin, who didn’t have to face Pete this time. The only
disappointment was the failure of Palm Tree to complete their innings
at Highgate, with their players walking off complaining about the rain.
After a succession of miserable matches at Highgate in which our
innings was played in Scotch mist while the Trees’ reply took place in
sunshine, this was as good as a victory.
In August, it seemed
like back to Square One. We struggled for a team against Shooter’s
Hill, held on by the skin of Tony Dyson’s teeth for a draw on the
Saturday tour match, and had an easy but rather disappointing win over
Kingsbridge, whose incoming batsmen were each younger than the one
before, until the last was hardly taller than his bat. Back at the
Garrison, the return of Tom Wilmot failed to prevent us losing a match
we had in our hands – and, typically, dropped – against Whitstable, and
we signally failed to cement our moral superiority over Palm Tree. The
only satisfying win came in the last match, completing the double over
Waggoners.
This was a season in which we introduced a number of new
players. Ronnie has been a huge success, while Ian, Prash and Vijay
have shown promise of great things to come. Young Tom Tyson showed
himself to be a better bat than most of us – I hope his commitments to
Saturday cricket and to Bristol University leave him some time to join
us again next season – and Richard Meins looks to be a very useful
addition to the bowling attack. We’re very glad to count all of them as
members of the squad.
We also missed some players this year: Brian, Dipak and Gurj had far
fewer games than we’d like, and of course there’s still a bit of a gap
in the team photo where our former co-captains used to sit. (Full text
of the report available on the website: www.charlatans-cc.org.uk )
Colin Thomas endorsed the report and expressed gratitude to everyone
involved in a great season, especially those who had made more than the
usual effort.
3. Treasurer’s Report
Cassidy presented the season’s accounts. The finances were
in more modest health compared to the previous year, with the club
£1,041.95 in the black, continuing last year’s downward trend for the
end-of-season balance. This slide of some £100 was mainly due to a nets
shortfall of £125, and some missing subs. A number of shirts and caps
remain unsold, and Maurice will bring these to nets in the new year.
The meeting agreed the following fees for 2009:
Subs: £40 (before 19 April 2008) £45 (on or after that date)
Match fees: £10 (club members and guests) £5 (students/unwaged)
Nets: £5
Lauren Thomas was unanimously thanked for another season’s work as tea
maker extraordinaire, although it was noted that we are unlikely to
have her services in 2009. Linda Thomas has gracefully accepted
responsibility for tea preparation in 2009.
The meeting thanked Maurice again for his financial efforts.
4. Fixtures 2009
A number of fixture issues were raised. Decisions were made
on the following;
• Kingsbridge fixture: Maurice to write a letter seeking assurances
about the fixture in August. In the light of their reply we will be
able to either continue the fixture at pre-2008 quality levels or have
sufficient time to seek out a new fixture in 2009.
• Other fixtures to replace 4Cs etc will be decided by the Fixtures Secretary from among the many teams who wish to play us.
5. Kit
Colin Thomas reported as current kit officer. He undertook to
purchase balls, gloves and pads, if necessary. Ian Mercer offered two
sets of pads currently residing in his garage. A kit check was carried
out at the end of the meeting, and a nets bag was put together.
6. Election of officers
Simon Hall and Colin Thomas offered their services as Co-Captains
for a further year. This was proposed formally by Paul Ricketts and
seconded. The meeting unanimously approved, although on condition that
each co-captain be completely in charge during matches, coming down
heavily on drifting fielders and other players seeking to change or
otherwise influence fielder placings. After many years in the post,
Maurice happily agreed to step down as Hon. Treasurer in favour of the
absent Pete Daw, who was proposed by Pete Stephens, and duly seconded
(and informed by text message of his new role) by Colin Thomas. It was
proposed that Maurice continue as Fixtures Secretary for another
season. This was seconded.
Kit bag: it was left that the Captain would delegate a kit person after
each game.
Hon. Secretary: Pete Stephens.
Match reports: a different person to be delegated by the captain to do one after each game.
The meeting thanked all last year’s officers for the hard work they had done.
7. Nets
The fees for nets will stay the same. It was proposed that indoor
nets should start on Sunday January 11, 2009, and run from
11.30-12.30pm for 13 weeks, until April 5, 2008, Easter being the 12
April. These dates and times are to be confirmed within a month. As in
previous years, outdoor nets at the Garrison are available from May;
fielding practice and fitness training can be added once the season
starts. Wednesday nights - coinciding with WGOM games – are ideal for
this.
Action Points:
• Maurice to book up the indoor net sessions, as described above.
• Everyone to invite potential players to nets.
8. The Pitch
Colin reported that WGOMs and Blackheath, the other users of
the pitch, were happy to contribute to the hiring of a heavy (=3 ton)
roller pre-season. While this means that Colin won’t have to walk
Reggie up and down the wicket the Sunday before our first match, it
involves a financial outlay of approx. £100 per team, with the option
of a further rolling session in the mid-season period, in addition to
the regular attention from the 12cwt roller (and Reggie). All present
felt the investment would pay dividends in terms of pitch quality and
safety.
There was some discussion of bringing in an external groundsman to
boost the quality of the wicket. Colin was not overly optimistic that
this, and especially any resulting physical changes to the pitch, would
be received well by the local staff responsible for the upkeep of the
ground.
9. AOB
• Players were reminded to check the scorebook at the end of every
game to ensure that catches, wickets, stumpings etc are all recorded
accurately
• Simon and Colin reminded people of the need to ring the
appointed skipper on Tuesday nights to report availability for the
Sunday match.
• Yogesh has gained permanent leave to remain in the UK. We look forward to him officially joining the team next year.
• Gurj happily reported that his wedding and honeymoon are now over.
• Malcolm reported a very useful 30% increase in the level of fines
imposed by Jackie during the tour. All fines were paid immediately, a
sign of respect for the fines master.
• Colin will send a club Christmas to Mike and Sue.
• As an “ex-pat”, Tim Joyce voiced his wholehearted approval of the website.
• Thanks to Pete for the delicious kedgiree at the meeting, and to Mrs Stubbins for wonderful cakes throughout the season.
