AGM at Woodlands 2018
Annual General Meeting 2018
Tuesday June 26th, 2018 at 7.15pm
Venue: Woodlands Memorial Hall,
Woodlands Avenue, Rustington
Present - Alan Gess (Chairman), David Parr (Treasurer) Joanne Hanson (Secretary), Barbara Bayford, Ken Line, James Pettigrew, Phil Keene. Dave Richardson
Also Present – Les Nichols, Chris Newberry, Valerie Bacon, Ian Burgess, John Phillips, Graham Blair, Mike Boocock, Spencer Wells, Laurie Fountain, Jerry Fow, Paul Dukes, John Kealey, Julia Cornish, Colin Smale Julie Long, Simon Long, John Rowlands, H Hydes, Glyn Hydes, David Barnes.
1) Apologies for absence
These were received from: Dave Wicks, David Pepper, Lawry Skews, Peter Boyd-Leslie, Richard Clifford, Alan Raymond, David MacMillan, Sue West, Chris Barret, Barry Fillery
2) Minutes of June 27th, 2017
Minutes were circulated to all members prior to the AGM. The minutes were agreed and signed as
approved by the Chairman. Proposed by Chris Newberry & seconded by Valerie Bacon
3) Matters Arising
There were no matters arising.
4) Chairman’s Report
Prior to the Chairman’s report, the President said a few words thanking Alan for taking on the role of Chairman. He also mentioned the league results, covered by the secretary under item 7. Glyn Hydes was congratulated at being made President of the Worthing league.
Alan thanked Dave R for his President’s report and continued ‘There’s not much involved in being chairman. It’s not a difficult job – I just turn up once a year, say a few words and that’s it. So if anybody fancies having a go now’s the time to speak up’. He then explained that these words related to the chairman of his previous TT club and whilst he never expected being chairman of Woodlands to be that straightforward it had been far more difficult and time consuming than he’d anticipated. He was extremely grateful to the hard working committee for all their help during the past year not just with TT related matters but also with the social and charity related issues that make Woodlands more than just a table tennis club. In particular he thanked Barb for all the extra work she does and also Phil K for keeping members informed of club issues.
As is reported elsewhere the club had finished runners up in all 4 divisions as well as providing both finalists in the President’s Cup. He congratulated Paul Dukes on his 100% record in D4.
The end of season tournaments had gone well and a full report will be published elsewhere in the minutes.
Alan advised that instead of directly supporting the National TT Day on Wednesday 18th July as had been done last year the club had decided that any money collected during the session on Tuesday 17th July would be donated to this year’s charity – The Guide Dogs for the Blind. The club would cover the cost of the hall for that night from club funds.
Finally he expressed concern about the lack of juniors within both the club and the Worthing league. He invited Chris Newberry to make comment, Chris confirmed that it was difficult to both find and retain juniors and as Alan had already stated it’s an issue for which there is no easy solution.
5) Secretary’s Report
The secretary reflected on the changes & developments of the last year – 11 league teams, another practice night, success in the league. She also congratulated Alan on his success as chairman. Two club members, Paul Robinson & Olga Theurer had passed away this year & the meeting took a moment to remember them. Joanne also paid tribute to the committee who as a team, run the club with great success.
Report is kept on record.
6) Treasurer’s Report
David Parr handed out a financial statement dated June 1st, 2017 – May 31st 2018. The auditor had signed to say the statement represents a true and complete picture of our finances. This is kept on file as are David’s explanatory comments on the figures.
The Treasurer said that club subscriptions & Pay & Play charges were increased last year to cover the cost of an extra night on Thursday. These increases more than covered our costs giving a profit from P&P of £1315.30. The club’s overall profit this year was £1576.42. For the coming year the treasurer & committee proposed to reduce the subs back down to £45 and also reduce the fee for LA Friday back to £2. There were no objections to this from members. Proposer for the acceptance of the new club sub was John Rowlands and seconded by Dave Richardson.
7) 2017/2018 Season Review
The secretary gave the 2017/2018 season review.
Division 1
Was won by Pavilion A with 127 points
Runners up were Woodlands B with 105 points
Woodlands A were 3rd with 93 points
Division 2
Was won by West Chiltington A with 124 points
Runners-up Woodlands C with 99 points
Woodlands D achieved 88 points
Woodlands E achieved 73 points
Division 3
Winners – West Worthing with 124 points
Runners-up Woodlands F with 103 points
Woodlands H achieved 83 points
Woodlands G achieved 78 points
Division 4
Winners - Lancing F
Runners-up Woodlands J
Top of the averages for Division 4 was Paul Dukes of Woodlands J winning all 34 of his games in his first season with us.
Other new players to the club were Julia Cornish, Jerry Fow, Jake Freeman, John Kealey and Beverley Field
President’s Cup An all-Woodlands final took place at LA on March 16th between Woodlands H (cap James Pettigrew) v Woodlands I (cap Julie Long) with Woodlands I winning 376 points to Woodlands H 352.5. Don Pollard of Lancing assisted Joanne with the umpiring duties. Jenny Mansell in her last year as President of the league, presented the trophy.
Club Competitions Results -
Now the results of the club competitions –
The 2017 Jim Holden Memorial Trophy took place in early September.
It was a great fun evening & was organised by Dave Richardson
Winner – Glyn Hydes Runner up – Ian Burgess
This competition was played in miniature – small tables, small bats & tiny balls which may even have been a mint imperial!
2018 The Rose Harber Memorial Singles for social players
Winner Shaun CollinsRunner up Derick Woods
Social Doubles
Winners Simon McAlister & John Philips
Runners up Derek White & Martin Nash
LA handicap singles
Winner – Sue WestRunner up – John Kealey
Woodlands Handicap Singles
Winner by 1 point David BarnesRunner up – Jake Freeman
Woodlands Drawn Doubles
Winners Simon Long & James Pettigrew &
Runners-up Phil Keene & Jerry Fow
The Open Singles
Winner Glyn Hydes
Runner-up Chris Baker
The final tournament of the season was the -
Dennis Rhodes Drawn Doubles
There was actually a tie for 1st place here, and the winners by a 4 point margin
Phil Keene & Luda Hedger
Runners-up Simon Long & Paul Dukes
The secretary mentioned that all competitions had pictures/write-ups on our website.
Alan Gess had organised all competitions from April and Joanne thanked Alan for his unstinting hard work & generous contribution.
Glyn Hydes, as our league representative then gave a league report.
Glyn said that he had been present at all meetings of the Executive Committee held during the 2017/18Season. Glyn reported that the main issue this season that the league committee had to deal with was in Division 4 concerning Pavilion C who had used a player with an illegal handicap. A meeting was held and the rule was enforced which meant points deducted from the offending team. The committee also confirmed that it was the captain’s responsibility to ensure a legal team was playing.
Glyn also reported that Table Tennis 365 would be trialled next season, the main feature being a national ranking system used for all players. Glyn said that it had been a pleasure to represent Woodlands on the committee.
8) 2018/2019 Season
Alan outlined the process for the selection of next season’s teams. Woodlands proposed teams had been circulated to members on the day of the AGM (Divs 1-3 only) and feedback was invited up to July 10th. Teams would then be submitted to the league on July 13th with the Pre-fixtures meeting happening on July 26th. At this meeting we shall discover how many teams have been entered from all clubs & this will determine how many divisions & how many teams in each div. August 9th sees the meeting where everything is finalised. Woodlands next season will be down to 10 teams with division 4 probably losing a team unless social players step up to play league. Overall the league is down 3 teams as Pavilion will only be submitting one team. At this point it is not sure whether there will be 3 or 4 divisions in the league.
9) Club Website
Andy Hunt had advised the committee that due to work and family commitments he would be unable to continue as the clubs’s Webmaster. The chairman thanked Andy for his efforts over the last couple of seasons and explained that Dave Wicks had been approached to take over the Webmaster role.
10) Premises & equipment
Barbara had nothing to report. Alan mentioned the overheating of the Woodlands Hall during the winter months & that he had taken this issue up with the Parish Council. It was to be brought up at a future meeting.
11) Table tennis at Littlehampton
Before Paul Prior gave his report the chairman advised that he felt Paul deserved greater recognition for his efforts over the last 3 years and proposed an amendment to the club’s constitution to create the role of ‘LA Manager’ and that Paul take on that role with immediate effect. The proposal was seconded by Joanne Hanson and approved unanimously by those attending.
Paul Prior – LA is still flourishing & Paul invited all league members to come. Paul reported that new lighting had been installed at the LA venue (this was mentioned under item 11 of last year’s AGM). The new lighting is a big improvement.
12) End of Season awards
Club person of the Year – the chairman explained that whilst discussing the award at committee it was sometimes difficult to tell if it was because of the person concerned TT skills or their market gardening expertise. In the end it didn’t matter if it was down to the quality of his forehand or the size of his marrows the award went to Laurie Fountain who was always around at the end of the night to help pack away equipment.
Most improved player award – this player made his league debut in D4 this season and finished on 87% having won 34 out of 39 games. He also played exceptionally well in the club tournaments and beat several higher ranked players. The most improved player award went to Jerry Fow.
Presentations to both players were made by David Richardson – club President.
13) Confirmation of club representatives on the Worthing League Executive Committee
The chairman advised that following the recent League AGM Joanne Hanson, Sue West, James Pettigrew, Peter Boyd-Leslie and himself had all been re-elected. Glyn Hydes, who had served on the committee for many years, had stood down but in recognition of his contribution had been elected as President to replace the outgoing Jenny Mansell.
14) Election of Woodlands TTC Executive committee
The chairman explained that due to the wording of the club constitution he needed to go through the various committee positions as follows:-
David Parr/Phil Keene/Barb Bayford/Alan Gess – all currently part way through their 3 year term of office and therefore do not need to be proposed/seconded. All were prepared to continue and as there were no objections from the meeting these people will continue in office for a further year or two years as appropriate.
Joanne Hanson/Ken Line – had come to the end of their 3 year term of office and were prepared to continue in their current roles. Both had been proposed/seconded and the meeting voted unanimously for both to continue in office for a further three year term.
Andy Hunt was stepping down as Webmaster and Dave Wicks had been proposed/seconded to take over from him. The meeting voted unanimously in favour of Dave becoming club Webmaster – three year term of office applies.
As recorded earlier in the minutes Paul Prior had been promoted to the role of LA Manager in recognition of his hard work over the last 3 years. Three year term of office applies.
Paul’s promotion had created a vacancy amongst the ordinary executive committee members (maximum 4) and the chairman was delighted to announce that Julie Long had applied to join the committee. With Dave Richardson/Richard Clifford/James Pettigrew all wishing to continue for a further year it was agreed unanimously that JL/DR/RC/JP be confirmed as the 4 ordinary executive committee members – one year term of office applies.
15) GDPR – General data protection regulations
The chairman explained that new data protection regulations had come into force on 25th May 2018. A club statement had been circulated and was available to read on the website. Further action needed to be taken in the future to comply with the new regulations but in the short term the chairman confirmed that the club would not pass on any personal information to 3rd parties.
16) AOB
Dave R – thanked everyone who had made donations to Pam Jackson so she could afford to visit Paul Robinson in the hospice, the club had raised £300.
The meeting ended at 8.10pm
Secretary – Joanne Hanson, 9 Amberley Road, Rustington, West Sussex, BN16 2EF
Telephone – 01903 850955 Email jo_hanson@btinternet.com