HERTFORD & DISTRICT TABLE TENNIS LEAGUE
AGM Minutes – meeting held on Monday 9th May 2011
Present - Committe Members: Joe Torres (Treasurer) , Jo Swain Chairman, Rita Rowe (Secretary), Colin Bullworthy (Match Secretary & Cup Secretary)
Ken Grethe (County Hall), Nigel Gray (Hoddesdon) Bryon Gates (Hoddesdon) Terry Burroughs (Cheshunt) Malcolm Norris (Grundy Park) Colin Fell (Pramastars) Faith Frankel (Hertford Regional College) Paul Butler (Hoddesdon).
Apologies: Sue Gillett (Hoddesdon) Steve Jackson (Pramastars)
2010 Minutes were sent out 3 weeks after meeting and posted on the Website for people to read. Minutes were agreed and proposed by Nigel Gray and seconded by Bryon Gates.
Matters Arising: Money for ETTA Fees. Everyone who did individual registration received membership numbers and cards. The clubs who did theirs as a lump are still waiting numbers and cards. The ETTA are trying to rectify things but we as a league were quite disappointed at how they managed this. Clubs will let Jo have their team players names and numbers and Colin will send list to Rita to forward to ETTA. The League was not involved in payment to ETTA.
Chairman’s Report: Jo and Joe worked together to chair meetings through the year but we have such a small committee that they thanked everyone for working well together. Colin Fell kept the website up to date. Colin Bullworthy sent regular newsletters and organised competitions alongside Jo Swain. There has been a problem getting people interested in Competitions on a Sunday and getting a venue so the Committee decided to try holding these on a week night and the Handicap Tournament went very well in February with a large support of entries. It was well supported and people enjoyed the evening. Thanks were given to Cheshunt Club for the use of their premises. The Closed Tournament had to be held over two nights because of the large entry and two finals had to be played the following week. The Ladies events had to be scrapped because there was not enough entries. The Vets Competitions were held on one night which made the finish very late, we may mix them up another year. All clubs were happy to come on a week night and preferred it. We did this as a trial this year but think we will continue in future. We will let people know the dates earlier next year because we will be able to plan ahead. There was a problem with people trying to enter on the night but which was causing so much confusion. We as a committe will have to be harsh and refuse if this happens again. It is not fair to take late entries. Dates will be decided and booked early for next year.
Treasurer’s report: Joe handed out written reports and explained the money we spent last year has gone down mainly because of not having to pay ETTA fees as a league. There was no charge for the Competitions because we are trying to encourage more people to enter. We don’t think this made an awful lot of difference. The Handicap competition like to receive their prize money but we do not have a sponsor for this anymore so it comes from league funds. Expenditure was kept low because of Colin Fell now printing out handbooks at a very low rate for us. Thanks was given to Colin for this. We Put the League fees down this year also to compensate for people having to pay direct to ETTA. The website registration is bi-annual so there is nothing to pay this year. Money paid to Cheshunt Club for use of Hall on competitions was to cover their expenses of £15 per hour. We had a problem with Allenbury’s through the year and they have not paid their fees for the year. Joe has tried every method of contacting Tony Manian but to no avail. We do not think Allenbury’s will enter a team next year.
Ken asked about some premium bonds that are in the league possession which were bought many years ago to try to earn money for the league. He suggests we try to cash them in this year because the person whose name they are in may not be able to help retrieve them in years to come. They would be better in the kitty now as no money has ever been won on them. Ken will contact Clifford Troll to see if he has any. Joe will keep in contact with Ken and they will sort it out.
Match Secretary’s Report: It has been a good season with scores coming in on time but sometimes the teams have reversed the score inadvertently and Colin has to thoroughly check the cards. All games have been played and results in. All information will go into Newsletter as soon as the final of the competitions has been played on Thurs. 12th May. Every effort will be made to keep Allenbury’s team in the league for next year. One player has been trying to find a new club to play matches but he should be encouraged to stay and find new players to keep the club going.
Nigel thanked Colin for doing a brilliant job – the meeting all agreed.
Election of Officers: The committee were willing to stand again next year so Malcolm proposed us all en bloc. The committee would like some more people to help share the work load and Nigel had said last year he would try to come on this year and after some discussion he agreed to be a member of the committee. Malcolm Norris proposed and Ken Grethe seconded.
Malcolm suggested every club ask their players if 1 person could represent their club at meetings to help share the work load. People will go away and try to see what they can do.
A.O.B. The Pine Trophy was awarded to Malcolm Norris for all his work in the league and bringing in youngsters to enjoy the sport.
Malcolm spoke about the Academy for Juniors he is running at Grundy Park on Monday and John Warner on Friday afternoons from 4 – 5.30pm. He has 24 children on register and is keen to get as many as possible because the Juniors are our “Future”. Please promote wherever you can and encourage youngsters to attend these sessions. Malcolm can always put extras into B>A>T>S in Harlow because he would really like new premises. An offer was made for a unit in the Precinct at Hoddesdon but it was on a short term lease and couldn’t be secure so Malcolm wouldn’t take it. Under 14’s are needed for county Competition in 5 weeks and to play in County Youth Games. Terry Burroughs said Laurie may be good from Cheshunt club. Malcolm will liaise with Terry.
Broxbourne Borough Open Day is on 2nd July at Bishops college. Last year there was a table up for people to have a go under a gazebo. People should be encouraged to play the sport from Juniors to Adults. Faith had a list of clubs and venues will can be used again this year. Anyone wishing to help man the stall see Malcolm.
The committee have noticed that the League will be 75 years old this year and Ken confirmed it began in October 1936. The league would like to commemorate this in some way and was asking the floor for suggestions. One person thought we might be able to reduce the fees as a gift for one year but the floor thought it would be nice to have something done or given to each player. The Handbooks should have the date 1936 – 2011 put on in a special badge and maybe a badge could be given to every player. Ken has a supplier that he will pass on to Rita so committee can discuss and decide what is best. We are the 13th Oldest league in the Country and we should acknowledge this in some way. The committee will decide at the next meeting.
It was also suggested that it would be nice to invite past players and people who have been involved in the league through playing or being on committee to a special evening maybe enjoying a buffet. This could be held in October on the anniversary. The committee will look into finding a venue on a Friday night so it doesn’t clash with anybody’s home games. People will be informed well in advance. Another suggestion was that we have a Crest of Hertford League badge put onto balls so players can be reminded through the year. We have to check trademark problem?
WE have £360 to spend or £500 including this year’s fees.
Nigel asked if Colin could send out emails under Bcc box so peoples details are not spread around. Colin made a note and will endeavour to do this.
The meeting closed at 9.35pm.
Date to submit Teams to league is 1st week July ...........no later than 7th July.
Minutes will be sent out a.s.a.p. and posted on website.
Date of Committee meeting: Wed. 20th July 7.30pm. at Jo Swain’s home.