The meeting commenced with a minute s silence in memory of those Club Members and Supporters who had died during the previous year.

Transcription

1 CHESHIRE COUNTY CRICKET CLUB MINUTES OF THE 104 th ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE CHESHIRE COUNTY CRICKET CLUB HELD AT THE WINDMILL, TABLEY ON 19 th NOVEMBER 2018 The meeting opened at 19:35 with the President, DW Sharp in the Chair. Also present were D Bailey (Chairman), DE Hastings (Hon. Secretary), KS McGuffie (Hon. Treasurer), Mrs D Babbage, PAG Babbage, JW Law, DJ Leigh, DN Leech, FGS Macleod, AB Percival, Mrs. S Percival, JL Petch, JB Pickup MBE, Mrs EM Scrimgeour and R Sproston. The meeting commenced with a minute s silence in memory of those Club Members and Supporters who had died during the previous year. 1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE Apologies had been received from Committee members C Murphy and A Newton, Three-day Captain RAL Moore, and from members R Cragg, P Davies, Mrs. J Herbert, AJ Melville and M Roff. 2. MINUTES OF 103 rd ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING HELD ON THE 20 th NOVEMBER 2017 These were approved and signed by the President as a true record. 3. MATTERS ARISING There were no matters arising. 4. APPROVAL OF ANNUAL ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR TO 30 TH NOVEMBER 2017 The Hon. Treasurer said that the Examined Accounts to 30 th November 2017 had been published on the web site. The Accounts showed a deficit for the year, which was not a surprise, given the ever increasing expenditure and the reduction in income. The Accounts for the year ending November 30 th, 2017 were approved. The President wished to record the Club s thanks to the Hon. Treasurer for his hard work in handling the finances of the Club in such a thorough and transparent manner. 5. FIXING OF ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTIONS It was agreed that there would be no change in the Annual Subscription rates for the coming year. 6. CHAIRMAN S REMARKS The Chairman said that the sun shone down almost continually on the new MCCA cricketing competition format. He wondered how the planets knew that Cheshire CCC were all fired up and raring to go to take advantage of the change in the structure? He said that he didn t know and quite honestly didn t care because the two Captains of our teams, the players, the Committee and the members took full advantage, prepared well, selected well and executed the plans triumphantly.

2 He confirmed that if it sounds like we all had a good summer on the field of play we did and how! He said that there is not enough time to detail the performances but perhaps the highlights would give an appetising insight in to what went on. Cheshire CCC reached the final of the new T20 (we were the unofficial holders) but lost to a strong Berkshire side after one of our lesser performances. Rick Moore led the one day team with quiet determination, skill and also by example. Undismayed we stayed on at the beautiful Wormsley ground to play in the final of The Trophy KO (50 overs) against Devon. This was our moment (albeit a close shave) where a full game was played to the last ball. This was successfully managed and we won by very few runs. Nevertheless a win is a win and our one day Captain and team enthusiastically received the Trophy from the MCCA President (who just happened to be John Pickup our recent President!) in front of some very happy supporters! After the successes of the one day team the spotlight turned to the three day Championship matches now played in the latter half of the season. They say lightening does not strike twice in the same place! It did not but it very nearly did! Our success over these 6 matches was not so obvious as the one day team. However, Danny Leach, the three day Captain, could not be faulted for his enthusiasm, skills and determination. Through this, although winning only one match, we came so close in the four drawn matches that with a bit of luck here and there we could have won Four! As it was we finished fifth in the table. He commented that it is fair to say that availability or lack of it was a strong contributing factor. This did, however, also give us the opportunity to use several youngsters in the first team all of whom made significant contributions (and records) offering tremendous encouragement for 2019! That is provided they are available as there are signs that one or more may be progressing, with our blessing, to greater platforms of excellence. The need for closer relationships and a better understanding of the fixture lists with the Officials of Lancashire CCC is necessary. We worked hard at this during the summer and feel that some progress has been made. It may be that in summers to come there will be a centrally organised and comprehensive fixture compilation which removes the clashes currently causing the challenges. He knew that our Chairman of Cricket, Peter Babbage, would drink to that! As he spoke, we were awaiting the publication of the latest directive from the ECB on the future of cricket which contains proposals for changes in MCCA cricket. As there have been consultations, he was aware that there are some exciting ideas as well as some disappointments but in reality what we understand is to happen is to be supported and something upon which we can build positively. There are rumours of promotion and relegation circulating and so we need to be on our toes should such a situation arise. Cricketing successes are not seemingly of interest to the sporting press and in particular in the two conurbations to the east and west of the county. Cricket, in Cheshire, is thriving with excellent standards being reached at all levels but we seem to be smothered by the Footballing Press. We have great difficulty, despite positive achievements, in getting our results, efforts and news across the county for the public to note. We are endeavouring to change this. Success here could lead to greater awareness of our standards and hopefully lead to the easier availability of sponsorship and funding which is so vital. It is anticipated that the ECB will be looking to overhaul the financial outlay to the game from The wider picture, with Women s Cricket ever increasing in demand, is that there may well be a slow down or reduction in funding for MCCA cricket and so we need to obtain significant and consistent sponsorship to fund our cricket and continue to improve our standards. The Treasurer has indicated that we will be running an excess after this summer. This is for the second year running. We have therefore, in the first instant, asked our Hotel Booking Agents to be more practical with their bookings. We will also be looking at other ways in which we can trim the sails. However, success on the field always seems to come at a cost - much of this excess may well be attributed to the Finals trip to Wormsley which meant we had to fund five night s

3 expenses (less an MCCA contribution) which was over and above the normal budgeting anticipation. The Golf day was again a successful affair with a good turn out and some enthusiastic play supported by similar banter afterwards in the club house. It has been decided that next year we should build on the success of the last two years and so an Events Committee is to be formed under an organising Chairman with the authority to co-opt members from outside the Committee. This is in order to achieve the necessary expertise to maximise the attendance, profitability and enjoyment of the event. The Chairman said that it was customary, and also his pleasure, to thank all my Committee members for the hard work and endeavours that they have invested for Cheshire Cricket in this past year. Success on the field is some return but nevertheless I would like to thank you all as well. Special thanks must go to Peter Babbage who with the tireless assistance of Elise has worked wonders with a growing list of players and availability challenges. The frustration that this brings about is enormous and not to be underestimated. The success it has brought is undeniable and most welcome! Similar comments and thanks must also be extended to Stewart Macleod for his successful running of the Academy XI. He believed that there were more ideas in the offing there to expand and improve its attraction and operation. He could only express the Club s gratitude and thanks to Jim Law for the superb way in which he somehow gets the match reports, scorecards and any other incidental report or comment out in time and to all the right places. It is only sad that the modern media is not wise enough to open their arms to his contributions. These contributions, where relevant, also now go to the web site, members and sponsors via (where available). All this after finishing his scoring duties (a masterpiece of electronics) at most of our matches. He thanked the Honorary Treasurer, Keith McGuffie, for his efficiency and humour that is so unlike most treasurers. The Chairman was only disappointed that Keith could not cook the books to ease our financial concerns a fact comforted by the knowledge that he is a committed professional who would not associate himself with such a thought. The Chairman thanked David Leigh, who joined us as a full committee member with responsibility for sponsorship for his initial travails. He is working on several ideas which when crystallised may well need our help in their undertaking. He went on to thank David Sharp, our President, who has now mastered the method and limits of Presidents drinks time at home matches. An active and ever present President full of sensible and correct ideas for which we are all grateful. As secretary of the Cheshire Cricket Board he is also a mine of good information. The Chairman also thanked him for Chairing this AGM. He offered an enormous thank you to our sponsors for their consistent support. It is extremely important to us and we hope that they get some enjoyment in return through our successes. We are always extremely grateful and thankful for the enthusiasm with which our host Clubs approach our visits whether they be for a one day, 3 day, academy or friendly. Thank you all! We hope that our visits are enjoyable and at least a little worthwhile. It is very encouraging that, in recent years, we have had a regular flow of requests from Clubs within the County who would like to host one of our matches. This year has been no different. Each request now is vetted for a variety of standards and facilities so that we have consistency in our grounds with the overriding emphasis on playing conditions.

4 The Chairman said that there is no avoiding the time when circumstances dictate that Committee members feel that their tenure has run its course. This year is no exception although the man in question is an exception. Derrick Hastings, our Secretary, is leaving his role after occupying the post with charm and humour as well as ruthless efficiency which has kept us all so well informed and ahead of the game. Fortunately he will not be lost to us since he is hoping to remain a regular boundary walker and real ale consumer. He will also initially be a guardian angel to his successor. He said we were fortunate to have had the wisdom of Derrick s ways and the pleasure of his company. We hope that his step back would be rewarding and that he would now be able to enjoy the other parts of life that are not cricket! He was also very hopeful that Derrick would be a regular committee attendee in the future so all for the moment is not lost! We are also very fortunate that John Logie Petch will be taking over the reins from Derrick and will, with his guidance, slip seamlessly in to his new role. John is an experienced secretary, lawyer and administrator so we are, again, to be in safe hands. Finally, he thanked everyone present for their support, attendance and forbearance. 7. ELECTION OF HONORARY OFFICERS The following candidates had been duly proposed and seconded before the meeting. As the posts were uncontested, all candidates were elected without the need for a vote. Patron: TD Briggs MBE President: DW Sharp Chairman: D Bailey Vice Chairman: JW Law Honorary Secretary: JL Petch Honorary Treasurer: KS McGuffie 8. ELECTION OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS Three positions on the Committee were available for election or re-election for a two year period. Only three candidates had been proposed so DJ Leigh, Mrs. EM Scrimgeour and R Sproston were elected without the need for a vote. 9. APPOINTMENT OF HONORARY ACCOUNTS EXAMINERS The Hon. Treasurer proposed that Messrs. Murray Smith should be re-appointed. This was agreed. 10. OTHER APPOINTMENTS The President said that the Chairman had indicated in his remarks that another appointment was to be made. In recognition of his services to the Club Derrick Hastings had been nominated and seconded to be appointed an Honorary Life Vice President. This was warmly approved by all those present. Derrick thanked everybody and said that he was delighted to have been awarded such a great honour. He thanked John Pickup in particular for having had the courage to recommend the appointment of a complete unknown for the position of Honorary Secretary back in 2009 and for acting as a patient guide and mentor for the first few months until Derrick had found his feet and for his continued support thereafter.

5 He praised the current Chairman, David Bailey, for his enthusiasm, his drive and his love of the Club. He said the David should be a model for all the officials. He said that he did not want to go round the table mentioning everybody, but he did wish to thank Elise Scrimgeour in particular for her help in handling the necessary paperwork at away matches after he became unable to attend them. Finally he said that it had been both a pleasure and a privilege to serve as Honorary Secretary for the last nine years and that he looked forward to being able to contribute to the running of the Club in his new position of Honorary Life Vice President. 11. ANY OTHER BUSINESS There was no other business. In summing up, the President said that 104 years of existence was an amazing achievement for the Club and he hoped that everybody was proud of the heritage shared by all those present. At the start of the 105 th year, he wished all the elected officials an enjoyable twelve months as they seek to uphold the traditions of the Club in a rapidly changing world. The meeting closed at 19:55