Plymouth & District Badminton League

Minutes of the League A.G.M. 2000

MINUTES OF THE A.G.M. HELD AT CHARLES WITH ST. MATTHIAS CHURCH ON 6th SEPTEMBER 2000

The meeting opened with the Chairman Mr. B. Legassick in the Chair and some thirty (30) members present.

1. Apologies were received from D. Marling, F. Barter and C. Still.
   
2. The minutes of last years A.G.M. had been sent out to all and, it was proposed and seconded that they be accepted.
   
3. There were no matters arising.
   
4. Treasurer’s Report Copies of the financial statement had been circulated and showed a profit on all the tournaments, the restricted had covered the Open. Interest on the investment with Standard life amounted to £200 and this added to the Presentation Evening income meant the first profitable year for a considerable time.
   The Chairman expressed our thanks to Josie and to the Auditors.
   
5. Press & Fixtures Secretary’s Report Starting at the beginning as Press Secretary; Last season was the worst for press reports in my fourteen years in office, press reports were as usual "Mediocre" and Tables were nowhere to be seen. I’ve done exactly what we were told to do from our enquiries and seasons past, the same has been done this year and, I shall continue to send in a weekly report from November and a League table every month, but, I will continue to send clubs a copy of my reports.
   
   Regarding fixtures, once again we had a good competitive season, conceded events were down to thirty (30). I know a lot of you didn’t like the new Rule we brought in about losing further points for conceded events, but, it seems to have done the trick. We did say that you could appeal, but, that it would have to be very, very good, even I tried and failed. So the answer is, get your teams together and Play the game.
   
   We had a situation where Ivybridge Congregational came to me saying they would have to withdraw from the League due to their very young players having to play away on a single court until a very late hour, and this in a year when some of them were taking their GCSE exams. Having multiple courts at Ivybridge means that matches are finished at a reasonable hour. So with the backing of the Committee it was decided they be allowed to play all their matches at home. I would like to thank all the clubs in that Division that responded to that request and for the sake of the youngsters and the work still going on at Congregational, to international level I may add. Please prepare yourselves for the same situation this year. 
   
   The Beckly Cup threw up some interesting matches culminating with two very good semi-finals and a Final played at Sherwell. The Committee would like to thank Norman Holberton for arranging this and to Sherwell Church for allowing us the use of the hall.
   
6. Tournaments The season finished with our three tournaments, the "Open", the "Restricted" and the "Veterans". Thirty-nine players entered the "Open" playing 130 ends of Badminton in five events, sixty players entered the "Restricted" playing 134 ends in eight events and five pairs entered the ^"Veterans" playing 20 ends. The general opinion is that everyone enjoyed themselves and got value for money, I know that just watching you all run around wore me out. 
   
   Tucked away in mid-season was the Christmas Tournament where seventeen pairs played 80 ends of Badminton in three groups with, the winners and runners-up playing a further 12 ends in a knockout section whilst, the remaining pairs played a further 12 ends in a plate event. 
   
   You all know we do not have a Tournament Secretary as such and you may see me (Gordon) in the forefront of many events but, I would like to thank your Committee for the "behind the scenes" backing, arranging and help on the day which makes our tournaments successful.
   
7. Junior Badminton League Thanks to Margaret Adams who has again produced a comprehensive report which you will find attached.
   
8. Junior Tournament Once again we had a very successful tournament with an entry of over 300 plus youngsters. The Chairman, in the absence of Margaret and Dennis Luscombe, expressed his thanks to them and the rest of the Junior Tournament Committee and to all who helped on the day to make it the success it was. Thanks also to D.M.L. for the massive contribution that they make. 
   Proposed date for next year was the 11th February 2001.
   
9. Future of Junior Badminton In looking to the future a comprehensive, study has been done with regard to the funding of Junior Badminton. 
   Originally the bank balance stood at £2000 which was made up with £1000 donated by D.M.L. and £1000 from Sportsmatch; the balance in April will be down to £1540. With a steadily falling balance how do we make up the deficit - with contributions from the League, raise the entry fees to the tournament, press for donations from sponsors, clubs, individuals. In all possibility whilst we have ten courts at the "Mayflower Centre" which we need, will the new set up which must happen one day , have less or more we don’t know. To have a healthy league we must encourage Juniors and to do this we must have funds, and the league should help out.
   
   It was proposed and seconded that any interest received from our investment with Standard Life be passed to Junior Badminton. This was voted on and passed.
   
10. Election of Officers  The Chairman passed the chair to the President who, before starting the election proper, took the opportunity to thank Brian Legassick who is stepping down as Chairman for all that he has done for the league in the last four years, we are sorry to see him go but, appreciate that we can still turn to him for assistance in the future. The President also thanked the Management Committee for their efforts over the past season.
    
    The following were elected:~
    1. Chairman    M Weeks
    2. Vice Chairman    C Still
    3. Secretary    R Craig
    4. Treasurer    Mrs J Debnam
    5. Press & Fixtures Secretary    G Hunt
    6. Auditors    Mrs N Gabb, R Taylor
    7. Management Committee    P Barry, Mrs M Adams, Mrs N Gabb, Mrs L Bunsell, Mrs H Cooper, C Gaskin, Ms S Chenery, J Cooper
    8. Beckly Cup Committee    P Barry, A Bunsell, Mrs M Adams
       
11. Any other Business 
    With only four clubs taking part in the Summer League all matches were completed with Mayflower Wednesday coming out the winners.
    It was suggested that perhaps if all the clubs were to write to the "Evening Herald" expressing their dissatisfaction, Gordon forming letter guidelines, perhaps they would appreciate our unrest.
    I have in my notes reference to "Committee Nude Calendar’ I'm not at all sure what that was about.
    
12. Gordon explained all the paperwork he has handed out. So far we know that Y.M.C.A. Kitto will be entering a 'B' team and that Charles have withdrawn from the League, with all their players joining Tamarside. In turn, Tamarside have asked if they can fill the vacant Division spot with the Charles Team. The Committee have agreed this would be the best move for Plymouth Badminton.
    
13. There being no further business, the meeting closed at 8.25p.m.

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