Present:
H. Montgomery (Vice-Chairman, Lytham), J. B. Brelsford (Secretary
& Treasurer, Lytham), A. Hughes (Preston), A. Bill (Preston),
W. Winter (Poulton), J. Parker (Great Harwood), M. Tott (Blackburn),
A. Petrie (Lancaster), V. Petrie (Preston), M. Rothwell (Lancaster),
and W. Mercer (Preston).
In the absence of the Chairman Helen Montgomery took the chair.
1. Apologies
Apologies had been received from D. J. Pendlebury (Chairman), S.
R. Ellis (Lytham, Auditor) and A. Crabtree (Brierfield). Brierfield,
Broughton, Chorley, Clifton, Gazette and Southport were not represented
at the meeting.
2. Minutes
The Minutes of the 2006 AGM were taken as read and approved after
noting that the winners of Division 2 had been Lancaster B and not
Lancaster A. (Proposed by W. Winter, seconded by A. Bill and passed
nem. con.)
3. Matters Arising
There were no matters arising.
4. Chairman’s Report
The Chairman had sent his thanks to the Executive Committee and
Appeals Committee, neither of which had been called upon to meet
during the past year. This was due to the hard work put in by the
Secretary to ensure that things ran smoothly. He was indebted to
the Secretary for his efforts and thanked Mr. Brelsford for the
work he had put in. He also thanked the club representatives and
team captains for their efforts on behalf of their teams. Entries
to the Gazette and Herald Trophy had so far been disappointing.
This would be discussed later.
Mrs. Montgomery then presented the division winners with their trophies
(where possible).
Division 1 Lancaster A
Division 2 Lytham A
Division 3 Blackburn C
Division 4 Clifton A
5. Secretary’s Report
The Secretary reported that at the start of the 2006/2007 Season
there had been seven teams in all four Divisions. This had soon
changed for Edge Hill withdrew from Division 3 without fulfilling
any fixtures. Of the remaining 78 planned matches two had not taken
place. Chorley had fallen foul of the rule preventing a team from
postponing a match beyond the next fixture period and Poulton B
had not travelled to Southport B in spite of the fact that this
confirmed its relegation. No team had fielded an ineligible player
and there had been no appeals. 313 players had taken part in the
League, 267 of whom had gained Master Points. The Wainwright Trophy
semi-finals would be Poulton or Gazette v Blackburn A and Blackburn
B v Southport.
6. Treasurer’s Report
The Treasurer reported a gain of £118-29 over the year. This
was entirely because of the fact that no Master Points had been
required because of the Master Points purchased last year. The balance
on 1st April 2007 had been £641-62. Acceptance of the Accounts
was proposed by Mrs. Hughes, seconded by Dr. Petrie and passed unanimously.
7. Subscriptions
The subscription per team for the 2008/2009 Season was to remain
at £8 per team.
8. League Structure
The Secretary reported that 27 teams had entered for the league
next season and proposed seven teams in each of the top three divisions
and six in Division 4. This was accepted by six votes to none with
four abstentions.
9. Competitions
The 2007 Gazette & Herald Trophy due to take place at Blackburn
and Ribble Valley Bridge Club on 10th June had attracted an entry
of 4 teams so far. Clubs were asked to publicise this competition
over the next week. The Wainwright Trophy handicap had produced
several close matches and it was felt that no adjustments were necessary.
Next year’s Gazette and Herald Trophy was planned for Sunday,
8th June 2008, at Blackburn and Ribble Valley Bridge Club.
10. Election of Officers
The existing officers were proposed by Mrs. V. Petrie, seconded
by Mrs. M. Tott and elected unanimously.
Thus the Officers for next year would be:
Chairman D. J. Pendlebury
Vice-Chairman H. Montgomery
Secretary J. B. Brelsford
Treasurer J. B. Brelsford
11. Election of Executive Committee
W. Winter, G. McConkey and M. Rothwell were proposed by Dr. A. Petrie,
seconded by Mr. W. Mercer and elected unanimously.
12. Selection of Appeals Committee
The existing list of names was proposed by Mrs. V. Petrie, seconded
by Mrs. A. Hughes and elected unanimously.
The five people from whom the Appeals Committee would be chosen
were Mr. G. McConkey (Southport), Mr. M. Rothwell (Lancaster), Mr.
D. J. Pendlebury (Blackburn), Mr. J. B. Brelsford (Lytham) and Mr.
W. Winter (Poulton).
13. Any Other Business
There was no other business.
The Vice-Chairman thanked Lytham Bridge Club for hosting the meeting
and everyone for attending.
The meeting closed at 8:02 p.m.
