Minutes of the Sixty-fourth Annual General Meeting of Reed Cricket Club held virtually on Thursday 18th February 2021 starting at 2000hrs.
1. Opening address and to confirm the present incumbent, Andrew Emms, as Club President and Chairman of the AGM.
According to the Club Constitution there being no alternative nomination received in the requisite time, ANDREW EMMS remained Club President.
Andrew was pleased to be able to welcome members to this (so far) unique, virtual AGM. He was hopeful for a full season in 2021. A few basic “house rules” regarding virtual meeting protocol and how to pose questions were provided thanks to Julien Fynn who was “hosting” the meeting.
2. Attendance & Apologies.
Present at Virtual Meeting:
Andrew Emms, (Club President, Chairman of the AGM), Peter Baker, (Minute Taker), Marcus Baker, Matt Bowles, Lloyd Bowman, Jaime Boyd, Mitchell Cooper, Jonathan Fynn, Julien Fynn, Nadine Fynn, Edward Garrott, Paul Garrott, Matt Giblin, Sam Greaves, Tom Greaves, Hannah Heslam, James Heslam, William Heslam, Rhodri Hughes, Chris Jackson, Rob Lankester, Bill Mansfield, Peter McMeekin, Scott Nash, Steve Nash, Chloe Robertson, Cilla Robertson, Michael Robertson, Richard Robertson, Bethan Smith, Graham Smith, Stuart Smith, Jack Tidey, Ed Wharton, Richard Wharton, Peter Wholley and Rob Willoughby, (37 attendees).
Participating in Ballot:
For record purposes, the following 42 Members submitted votes in the 2021 AGM process:
Chris Baker, Marcus Baker, Peter Baker, Adrian Baxter, Roger Bowcock, Matt Bowles, Lloyd Bowman, Jaime Boyd, Julie Collins, Mitchell Cooper, Dennis Easley, Phil Frenay, Edward Garrott, Paul Garrott, Matt Giblin, Sam Greaves, Tom Greaves, Neil Haslam, Richard Haydon, John Heslam, Chris Jackson, Simon Jackson, Richard Johnson, Rob Lankester, Marcus Martin, Rupert Martin, Greg McKinnell, Peter McMeekin, Steve Nash, Chloe Robertson, Cilla Robertson, Richard Robertson, Bethan Smith, Graham Smith, Stuart Smith, Jack Tidey, Tim Tidey, Lee Vincent, Kallum Ward, Karl Ward, Ed Wharton and Rob Willoughby.
Apologies for absence:
Chris Baker, Dennis Easley, Toby Fynn and Richard Haydon.
3. To announce the results of the balloting process.
Peter Baker explained that because of the restrictions imposed regarding social gathering, all the voting this year was conducted by email and when the deadline was reached at midnight on the 14th February 2021, forty-two Club members had submitted votes, (23 Players & 19 Non-Playing Members).
Items 3a, 3c, 3d, 3e and 3f were agreed and accepted.
3a. To approve the Minutes of the AGM held on 28th November 2019.
Minutes had been previously circulated and published on the RCC Website.
3b. Matters Arising from the Minutes of the previous AGM on 29th November 2018.
There were no matters arising or outstanding actions.
3c. To receive the Honorary Secretary’s Report.
Peter Baker’s Report had been previously circulated and published on the RCC Website.
3d. To receive the Annual Accounts.
i. Annual Account: The Honorary Treasurer, Bethan Smith, had circulated financial data to the year ending 30th September 2020. The Closing Balance was £19,532.29p. Accounts had been audited by Alec Fynn and Scott Rouse and found to be in order. Bethan reported that RCC was in a healthy financial state thanks to the non-refundable grant of £10,000 provided by NHDC.
She also explained that since she took over its administration, the 100 Club Accounts are now incorporated as entries in the Main Account and no longer presented separately.
ii. Bar Account: Bar Committee Chairman, Peter McMeekin, had circulated Accounts relating to the Bar for the year ending 30th September 2020 and a written report in which he had highlighted significant events.
The bar made a profit of £2,534.95p this year. Takings were £5,240.33p, (down by £14,976.41p on 2019), but considering the circumstances, were very welcome.
3e. To consider and vote on proposed Rule Changes in the Club Constitution:
Proposals for changes to Rules 6, 12, 10, 11, 17 and 39a had been widely circulated and published prior to the AGM.
Peter Baker provided some background to the changes. Richard Barlow had proposed one change because “Youth” was a non-gender specific term whilst “Colt” commonly referred to a young male horse and RCC has some female members.
The change from “Welfare Officer” to “Safeguarding Officer” was at the behest of the ECB to “…. reflect consistency across the network and to bring this title in line with the terminology used in all areas of cricket, other sports and external agencies.” Peter Baker would be reviewing and updating all Club documents and published policies in whatever format in due course.
3f. To consider and ratify or amend rates of Subscription and Match Fees.
The Committee recommended the following for 2021:
Subscriptions:
Full Playing Members £115 NO CHANGE
Full Playing Members – if payment made by 1st May £95 NO CHANGE
Junior Playing Members £35 NO CHANGE
(aged 16 and above in full-time education.)
Junior Playing Members – if payment made by 1st May £25 NO CHANGE
Non-Playing Members £25 NO CHANGE
Youth Members £50 NO CHANGE
Match Fees & Teas (Afternoon Matches):
Adult £10
Junior / Youth £8 NO CHANGE
(in Open-Age matches, i.e., not Youth fixtures.)
Matches Fees on Sundays are reduced by 50% if players have played on both Saturday & Sunday of that weekend:
(Applicable only when the Full Subscription has been received.)
Adults £5 NO CHANGE
Junior / Youth £4 NO CHANGE
Match Fees (Evening fixtures):
Midweek Adult £2 NO CHANGE
Midweek Junior / Youth £1 NO CHANGE
(in Open-Age matches, i.e., not Youth fixtures.)
N.B. There are no match fees for Youths playing in Youth fixtures.
Members were encouraged to pay subscriptions early with on-line banking transfer being the preferred method.
3g. To announce the results of the balloting process to elect Vice-Presidents, Officers and Auditors for the coming year.
All existing Vice-Presidents were re-elected.
Two nominations for new Vice-Presidents had been received in the requisite time, Justin Marshall and Paul Garrott. Both were elected.
ELECTIONS:
The holders of the following Positions / Roles had indicated that they would not be seeking re-election in 2021.
Welfare (Safeguarding) Officer, (Chloe Robertson);
Bar Sub-Committee Chairman, (Peter McMeekin);
Honorary Secretary, (Peter Baker).
Andrew Emms wished to record the Club’s thanks to them all but paid particular tribute to the two Peters who had served on the Committee for many years collectively.
All other members of the Committees, Captains and Auditors had indicated their willingness to continue and no additional nominations had been received. Consequently, the following were elected / re-elected.
3g i. The following comprise the Club Executive Committee:
Club Chairman Stuart Smith
Membership Secretary Cilla Robertson
Ground Committee Chairman Richard Robertson
Honorary Treasurer Bethan Smith
Club Captain Tom Greaves
Safeguarding Officer Hannah Heslam
Playing Committee Chairman Matt Bowles
Bar Committee Chairman Julien Fynn
Honorary Secretary Vacant
3g ii. In addition to the Club President and Executive Committee Members, the following comprise the Club General Committee:
Fixtures Secretary Peter Wholley
Social Secretary Sam Greaves
Under 25 Representative Rhodri Hughes
Coaches’ Coordinator Richard Barlow
Youth Cricket Liaison Officer Hannah Heslam
Second XI Captain Ed Garrott
Fundraising Officer James Heslam
Sunday Captain Rob Lankester
Facility Manager Bill Mansfield
SHPCL Representative Michael Robertson
Without Portfolio Paul Garrott
Without Portfolio Matt Giblin
Without Portfolio Richard Johnson
Without Portfolio Peter McMeekin
No nominations were received for the position of Honorary Secretary. At the earliest opportunity, the General Committee will nominate or co-opt a person or persons to fulfil the responsibilities.
3g iii. The following are Non-Committee roles:
1st XI Vice-Captain Rob Lankester
2nd XI Vice-Captain Matt Bowles
3rd XI Captain Rhodri Hughes
N.B. 4th XI Captain – Because of the withdrawal from the SHPCL, no Fixtures have been made and the position remained vacant.
Mid-Week Captain – Because there are no planned Fixtures, this position remained vacant.
Sunday 2nd XI Captain – Because of the structure of the Fixture list on Sundays, this specific position remained vacant.
3g iv. Members of the Playing Sub-Committee, (in addition to its Chairman, Weekend Captains and Vice-Captains):
Paul Garrott and Stuart Smith.
3g v. The following were elected as Honorary Auditors:
Alec Fynn and Scott Rouse.
3g vi. Trustees: For the record, Peter Baker had confirmed with Steve Dunn, Peter Lawrence, Richard Robertson and Stuart Smith that they are all willing to continue as Trustees. They are invited by the General Committee to carry-out duties should the Club have to be wound-up and are therefore are not in elected positions.
4. To confer Life Membership.
At its November Meeting, the Club’s General Committee had agreed to the proposal from Peter Baker, seconded by Peter McMeekin, to confer Life Membership of the Club on John Heslam to acknowledge his massive contribution to the Club dating back to 1980. John spent 36 years on the Committee; 25 as Club Chairman. Apart from being a former Club Captain and Colts’ Manager, John was instrumental in planning the construction of extensions on our super pavilion and under his leadership and as Fundraising Officer he secured thousands of pounds in sponsorship and grants from various sources. JQH’s commitment to RCC has had a significant influence on its history.
5. Awards for the 2020 season.
Matt Bowles explained that the Playing Sub-Committee had decided not all the Club Trophies would be awarded for the foreshortened 2020 season but he was pleased to be able to announce the following winners:
Tony Bysouth Cup Charlie Walters.
Mike Jackson Memorial Trophy William Archer.
Diana Field Cup William Heslam.
Rhodri Hughes announced the Third XI Trophy Winners:
Batsman Rob Willoughby.
Bowler Owen Hughes.
Players’ Player of the Season Rob Willoughby.
Ed Garrott announced the Second XI Trophy Winners:
Batsman Chris Jackson.
Bowler Rupert Martin.
Players’ Player of the Season Chris Jackson.
Tom Greaves announced the First XI Trophy Winners:
Batsman Mitchell Cooper.
Bowler Jack Tidey.
Players’ Player of the Season Jack Tidey.
Several other individuals were “mentioned in dispatches” and congratulations were offered to them and to all the winners.
Tom Greaves then also announced Bethan Smith as the recipient of his 2020 Captain’s Award in recognition of her work “Behind the Scenes” during the Coronavirus Pandemic.
Peter Baker added that the General Committee had agreed last August that Mick and Margaret Watson would be presented with a Special Award for their work in Deep Cleaning and keeping the Clubhouse in good order during the year.
6. Any Other Business.
Richard Haydon asked for a huge thank you to Bethan & Graham Smith, Roger Bowcock and Clive Collins for clearing the ditch along the west side of the village green between the Clubhouse and Blacksmiths Lane. It had been pretty cold most days but they soldiered on and did a fantastic job. It will certainly make maintaining that area a lot easier.
Richard Robertson said that John Clements had investigated the dampness in the ladies’ toilet and things were better now; Mick Watson will repaint the ceiling soon.
Peter Baker said that the AGM of the Herts League (SHPCL) would be taking place on Monday 22nd February. Only one person from each of the 90+ clubs would be allowed to participate and Michael Robertson would be representing RCC to cast our votes. Peter thanked those who had replied to the short survey about two proposed changes to the SHPCL’s Constitution and Match Rules.
Peter Baker then listed the first few fixtures of the 2021 season providing everything goes to schedule and we are allowed to play recreational cricket:
Saturday 24th April – Double-header friendlies against Flitwick;
Saturday 1st May – 1st XI in Herts County T20 Competition at Reed;
Saturday 1st May – 2nd / 3rd XI away versus Letchworth (Friendly);
Sunday 2nd May – Friendly versus Roving Reporters at Reed;
Saturday 8th May – SHPCL programme begins;
Sunday 9th May – National Village Cup 1st Round. (PGB has written to the NVC organisers asking when the draw would be taking place – no reply as yet.)
Richard Robertson speculated that we could expect a statement from the ECB within a fortnight giving guidance how recreational cricket might be conducted in the 2021 season and rules and restrictions to which we may have to adhere.
Peter Baker said that the request for more 100 Club Members in the autumn had resulted in two new joiners. Plenty more vacancies exist and anyone wishing to join the Club’s lottery should contact Bethan Smith or him.
Peter Baker further reminded members to use easyfundraising when shopping on-line. The national lockdown has definitely seen an upsurge in shopping in this way so it was hoped that with encouragement, the Club could benefit much more from members joining the scheme. Richard Robertson added that by installing the easyfundraising App, an automatic reminder prompted customers to purchase goods attracting the ‘donation’.
Peter Baker thanked everyone for their co-operation in the balloting process and by attending the AGM and he especially thanked Julien Fynn for hosting the meeting. No other issues had been raised during tonight’s meeting. The next General Committee Meeting is scheduled for 2000hrs on Monday 1st March 2021.
Andrew Emms closed the AGM by thanking all attendees and was optimistic for the new season.
The Meeting closed at 2040hrs.
Minutes compiled by:-
Peter G. Baker,
Honorary Secretary,
Reed Cricket Club.
18th February 2021.
Unsigned draft.
(To be signed by the Club President as a true and accurate record once approved at the 65th AGM on 25th November 2021.)
