The Eric Bateson Retirement League
Minutes of the AGM held at 2pm on November 22nd 2024 at Thirsk Athletic S & S Club
In attendance:-
Malcolm Hartley - Thirsk
Glenys Midgley & Dotty Hill – Bedale
John & Margaret Dale – Masham
Gary Preston - Harrogate
Basil Birchall & Sally Scott – Bishop Monkton
The Chairperson Glenys Midgley welcomed everyone to the meeting.
1)Apologies for absence from Les Potter – Northallerton
Apologies for absence from Paul Hodgson – Leyburn
2)The 2023 minutes had been circulated and there were no matters arising. A huge thanks to Basil who, when Dishforth pulled out of the league at the last minute, had the task of replacing them with a 2nd Bedale team and all that involved.
3)The chairman gave his report for the past season.
The 2024 league winners were Bishop Monkton and the runners up were Harrogate Valley Gardens. Congratulations to Bishop Monkton and thank you for hosting the winners v the rest. Unfortunately I was unable to attend that match, my thanks to Alan Appleby for standing in for me.
At the previous AGM the clubs accepted Dishforth’s application to rejoin the league. Unfortunately Dishforth then withdrew from the league shortly before it was due to start. I would like to thank Bedale for entering a second team to replace Dishforth and maintain the number of fixtures.
We must record a huge vote of thanks to Basil for all the work he does.
This includes publishing a fixture list, collecting and collating the match results and swiftly issuing results and tables to all the clubs as well as other communications, the website and emails. Thank you Basil.
The Elsdon Metcalfe Trophy saw the number of entrants increase to twenty five pairs this year which shows the popularity of the competition. Once again there were some very close matches in the early rounds. The first semi final saw last years finalists drawn against each other, Susie & Rex Whistler and David Chapman & Pete Darbyshire of Bishop Monkton. A very competitive match saw a reversal of last years result with Susie and Rex going through to the final. In the second semi final Derek & Di Massingham of Bishop Monkton played Ian Brickley & J Russell of Harrogate which produced a very close game, the Harrogate pair winning by three shots. In the final both pairs produced some excellent bowling but Susie & Rex held their nerve to come out on top to win the trophy. My thanks to the Thirsk ladies for keeping everyone refreshed and the green team for preparing the rinks.
This meeting completes my two year stint as chairman and it is now Bedale’s turn to take over the running of the league for the next two years.
4) As circulated the accounts show a decrease of £17.16 to the funds but there is still a healthy balance of £207.62. The question was asked, should we collect any fee, and all agreed that it was not necessary this year.
5) There were no proposals, questions or applications.
6) Gary Preston informed us of the issues Harrogate are facing with their green and how it is being tackled. Includes mats being used in certain areas which are suffering when the green is very wet. This they may have to continue, so we are aware. There is remedial work planned and being carried out in a concerted effort to improve the green for the forthcoming season and beyond.
7) The fixture list for the 2025 season was circulated.
8) Date for next years AGM set as Friday November 21st at 2pm