AGM report to members

Garway Croquet Club

Notes / Actions from the Annual General Meeting, 9th November 2023, Garway Moon

Present:

Brent Watkins (outgoing Chairman) Bryan Gidley

Mark Oldale (outgoing Secretary) Andrew Bailey

William Braid Norman Hicks

Rachel Collinson Jim Martin

Adrian Childs

Brian Shorney

Apologies:

John Bothamley Lesley Whistance

Simon Collinson Patrick Thomas

Steve Morgan (outgoing Treasurer) Richard Mitchley

David Martin

The following notes were recorded by the Secretary (numbering consistent with Agenda items).

1. Apologies for absence were noted and are detailed above.

2. The Chairman welcomed those present and opened the meeting.

3. No Minutes from a previous AGM were tabled, this being the first such meeting since the re-launch of the Club.

4. The Annual Report was tabled. In presenting the report, the Secretary noted that the Club had now been in existence for 12 months and wished to reflect on the successes that had been achieved. He highlighted that we have:

• a Club, itself, that is fully functioning and which has elevated the playing of croquet in Garway; a Club that is organised and financially sound; a Club that has raised both the quantity and quality of play. In doing so, he noted that this success is founded on the work of the previous Chairman, Jim Martin, who led the initial groundwork and organisation, but then taken forward and built on by Brent’s leadership

• a Membership, with a greater number of players playing more regularly than before.

• an Organisation, that has provided regular Club sessions with coaching to develop playing skills and provide social interaction; that has encouraged play by providing regular competition; that has delivered the best playing surface the Common has seen; that has established affiliation to the Croquet Association and opened up the opportunities that affords.

• Playing Lawns of quality and playability, despite the challenges thrown up by the weather throughout the year. He noted that the lawns have always been available and have been prepared to a high standard whenever a game has been booked.

• Equipment in the form of high quality hoops, mallets and balls and a gazebo pavilion for use during events.

• a Website that publicises the Club, attracts new members, facilitates lawn bookings and enables communications.

• Skill Levels that are improving through coaching, regular play and the quality of equipment and lawn, as evidenced by handicaps reducing and the development of new starters. He noted that this advancement had enabled individual success, highlighting Brent Watkins and Simon Collinson’s involvement in a trophy-winning Cheltenham team.

The Secretary proposed that this was a pretty good “first term report”.

Nevertheless, he noted a number of areas for improvement:

• Further “bridge-building” needs to be attempted with former Club members.

• Whilst some limited success had been had at recruitment, there is still opportunity to do better at attracting and fostering croquet at the beginner level.

• The demands of preparing multiple lawns and has placed a strain on the existing arrangement and the Club recognises that the Club should become more self sufficient regarding both equipment and effort.

He noted that addressing these challenges would require considerable effort and expense and appealed to the meeting for help and assistance as required, particularly in augmenting the make-up of the Committee.

In closing he paid special thanks to:

Simon Collinson for his time and effort in mowing the lawns and the use of his equipment. Also for making available a facility for storage of croquet equipment.

William Braid for his fund-raising efforts, in particular the organisation of the Burns Night supper which raised a significant sum of money for the Club. Also, for his act of generosity with regard to support for the creation of the website.

Rachel Collinson for the financial support in acquiring the Gazebo pavilion.

Jim Martin for leading the Club through the first six months of its formation.

Marion Watkins and Rachel Collinson for the provision of refreshments at the Club events and for their time and patience in supporting the players both home and away.

Brian Shorney for his guidance and advice throughout the year.

The Garway Parish Council for their continuing support to croquet on the Common.

The Chairman thanked the Secretary for his report and noted also the support provided by Sarah Hayes at the Cheltenham Club. He recommended the report to the meeting for acceptance: proposed by BS, seconded by WB, accepted nem con.

5. In the absence of the Treasurer, the Financial Report was presented by the Secretary. He noted the income sources including the large exceptional item from the Burns Night Supper. He further noted the areas of expenditure, explaining that purchases of playing equipment were largely non-recurring. He reported that that the projected income/expenditure for 2024 assuming no exceptional income but a revised schedule of subscription rates would show a slight surplus. In closing, the Secretary noted that although the balance sheet currently appeared strong, the Club will face significant capital expenditure in addressing the issue of mowing capability.

The Chairman acknowledged the future capital challenge but recommended the report to the meeting for acceptance: proposed by JM, seconded by WB, accepted nem con.

6. In the absence of any other nominations, the existing three Officers, each of whom had volunteered to continue, were re-elected en bloc: proposed by BS, seconded by JM, accepted nem con.

7. The following proposals were discussed:

1) Preparation of a Single Lawn in 2024

In presenting the proposal, Brent Watkins explained that the maintenance (mowing and rolling) of two lawns, particularly the second, sloped lawn, had placed an intolerable strain on the existing arrangement both from a labour and an equipment perspective. Currently the Club is totally reliant on the generosity of Simon Collinson to provide that effort. The Club has recognised that it must address this issue and become self-sufficient and is looking into the possible purchase of a second-hand cylinder mower. Given the very low usage of the second lawn, it is proposed that only a single lawn will be routinely prepared in 2024. In discussion, the following points were noted:

• The need to accommodate the Thursday evening group

• That the second lawn can be resurrected with some minor additional effort, as required.

• Whether a small additional strip could continue to be routinely prepared for practice (to be considered).

The proposal was proposed by WB, seconded by RC, accepted nem con.

2) Application for Affiliation to the SW Federation of Croquet England

In presenting the proposal, Brent Watkins noted that there was a desire for the Club to form a representative team(s) and play competitive inter-club matches. The enabler for this would be to join one of the regional federations of Croquet England. He reported that the cost of such affiliation would be very low and that there were acceptable solutions regarding the hosting of such matches. The meeting was supportive of such a move noting the status enhancement for the Club that could follow. Expressions of support in terms of involvement, leadership and coaching were noted. BS volunteered to contact the Federation and open discussions.

The proposal was proposed by AB, seconded by AC, accepted nem con.

3) Subscription Rates for 2024

Presenting the proposal in the absence of the Treasurer, the Secretary reminded the meeting that the membership subscription rates for 2023 had deliberately been pitched low as the Club transitioned to the new format. He highlighted the general rising costs of fuel, etc. and pointed out the capital investment necessary in the next financial year. In addressing these challenges, he proposed rates of £50/£20/£10 for the three categories of membership.

The proposal was proposed by MO, seconded by JM, accepted nem con.

4) Formation of a Golf Croquet Sub-Section

In the absence of the proposer, John Bothamley, Jim Martin presented the proposal. He explained that a number of potential members were put off joining the Club by the perception that the AC form of the game is too difficult and arduous for beginners to master. He suggested that the Club offering Golf Croquet (GC) was a possible solution to this. The following points of discussion were noted:

• The playing of GC requires no alteration or modification to the lawn and no additional equipment other than the acquisition of hoop clips

• The proposal would require there to be a GC Champion to take the lead in advocating, publicising, coaching and understanding the Rules.

• BS warned of the experience from other Clubs where GC has become predominant over AC.

In the absence of a volunteer to lead the proposal, the meeting agreed the following response: That given the challenges ahead with regard to solving the mowing issue, the Club does not have the resources to fully support the proposal this year, but is sympathetic to any more detailed and supported plan coming forward.

The response was proposed by WB, seconded by BW, accepted nem con.

8. Any Other Business

The following issues were noted:

i) Enhancement of the Lawn Booking System (in hand with RC).

ii) Date for Subscription Renewals (in hand with MO).

The Chairman thanked Members for their attendance and engagement and closed the meeting.

Mark Oldale

Club Secretary

10th November 2023