CHOBHAM CRICKET CLUB
Established before 1844
The Annual General Meeting of Chobham Cricket Club took place on Wednesday 29th January 2014 at 20.00 in the
Pavilion.
Present:
There were 21 members present.
President, John Goldsmith, took the chair.
1.
Apologies for Absence
Andy Reynolds, Graham Oliver, Chris Higgins, Peter Baker, David Martin, Eddie Hill, David Jenkins, Duncan
Steele-Bodger, Suzanne Sharman, David Dodd, Dave Pearce, Rob Norwell, Ian Burnham, Clive Radley, Pete
Lackey, Matt Morrison, Rob Beeson.
2.
Minutes of the Previous Annual General Meeting
There being no matters arising from the last AGM minutes they were signed by the President having been proposed
by Babs Wreford and seconded by Jon Allen.
3.
Correspondence
There was no correspondence
4.
Chairman’s Report
The Secretary presented the report as the Chairman had resigned earlier in the year.
This Annual Report has been compiled by the committee as we have been operating without a chairman since
August. Guy Franklin resigned as the Junior section co-ordinator in July and as Chairman at the end of August. His
reasons for stepping down were that he was finding travelling from his home in Fleet time consuming and the fact
that his sons were playing for a more local club. We are indebted to Guy for his work with the Juniors over the last
10 years and his latter contribution to the club as our chairman. We wish him well for the future.
CRICKET REPORT
This has been a year of great progress for Chobham on the cricket field. All 3 Saturday sides showed a level of
improvement with the 2nd XI gaining promotion after finishing 3rd in their division. The evening Twenty20 saw
some great Chobham performances narrowly failing to qualify for the finals. Part of our improvement was due to
our overseas import, Mitch McRea, who contributed over a 1000 runs in all competitions enabling him to top the
FBSCL batting averages. Mick Carr was once again 1st XI top performer with the ball but the progress shown by
former colt Alex Orme in the 1st XI, Todd Dyer, Jamie Roy in the 2nd XI and Simon Gregory in the 3rd XIs augers
well for the future.
Sundays saw us playing in the Surrey Trust League development division in which teams can only play a certain
number of adult players the rest from all junior age groups. Although we did not set this league alight it was a
useful exercise in the development of our younger members. Social matches made up the rest of the Sunday fixture
list where again we fielded a mixed age team Perhaps membership of the STL and our own 3rd XI have helped our
younger players make the leap from playing Junior cricket to senior cricket. It is certainly encouraging for the
club’s future to see so many juniors featuring in 3rd XI matches.
For the first time in many years the club went on tour. Jon Allen arranged for us to stay in Stogumber, north west
Somerset and play 3 matches. We won 1, lost 1 and the other was abandoned due to rain. A visit to the county
ground at Taunton to watch Australia was also on the itinerary. Overall it was a very enjoyable trip which we hope
to repeat this year.
The junior side of the club also had a tremendous year with great success for the U13’s who progressed further in
their league and playoffs than any other Chobham side has achieved. There was success for U9’s, U11’s and U12’s
all of whom performed with great credit in their respective competitions, whilst the older age groups also had some
encouraging wins. Moving forward the club has secured the services of Mark Packham to head up the coaching of
the junior section. Mark has been working with us for a few years and is an asset to the club.
For the President’s Day match we welcomed Helensburgh CC from Sydney NSW who were over for the Ashes
series. Helensburgh is Mitch’s parent club and also the home club of former overseas import Tim Lloyd. We have
forged a good relationship with HCC and they are happy to send us players wanting to try English conditions for a
summer.
For the 2014 season FBSCL are proposing a change in format. The 1st and 2nd team leagues will consist of 9 or 10
teams who play each other home and away. One game will be limited overs and the other a timed game. The 3rd XI
league will have 15 teams who play each other once in 45 over matches. Confirmation of the changes are expected
at the league agm tomorrow.
SOCIAL AND FUND RAISING
Away from the cricket field the club have also made big strides on the social front and in fund raising. In the last
year we have held a race night and a curry night which both helped increase our funds. The 100 Club has been relaunched thanks to the efforts of Tanya and Duncan Steele –Bodger and the annual Ollie Samuelson 6 Nations
competition also contributed. In fact we owe a big vote of thanks to the patrons of the Sun Inn who have generously
supported us every week by supporting the lotto bonus ball “swindle” run by John Goldsmith and the rugby
competition. Unfortunately the bonus ball has reached the end of its lifespan but the 6 Nations is still going strong.
If you haven’t already entered there is still time to do so tonight.
At present we are engaged in raising money to provide new practice nets for all our members senior and junior. The
leading light in this campaign is Mel Keenan who has to date organised with the help of a selected team a very
successful end of season party and a spectacular Christmas party that was held in a marquee attached to the
pavilion. As well as these events Mel and his team have launched a nets appeal amongst the local community and
businesses which has had some success. Will Budd and Dave Pearce have submitted a number of grant applications
which we are still waiting for a response on. A total of around £8000 has been raised so far towards the £30000
needed for the nets. Further events are planned to help swell this amount.
As well as the nets there are a number of other projects in the pipeline. These include replacing the perimeter
fencing damaged during the storms, replacing the patio, updating the kitchen, improving the bar facilities all of
which cost money. Subscriptions help with the day to day running of the club but we need your ideas and support
to raise funds .
TRIBUTES
I’d like to conclude by thanking the committee for all their hard work over the last year especially for covering
empty posts and absences.
5.
Hon. Treasurer’s Report
Jon Allen circulated the draft accounts. He explained the contents and expressed his hopes for the financial position
of the club for the coming year. He said we’d had a very good year but need to keep progressing financially to
achieve all our aims. The only question came from Ian Lackey about the increase in the cost of waste removal. Jon
explained that more use of the service was made during the year hence the increased costs. The draft report was
accepted. Proposed Dick Medhurst seconded Babs Wreford.
6.
Ground & Equipment Report
Mick Carr thanked Nigel Sturt and Will Budd for mowing the outfield all year and Ian Lackey for his help with the
ground. He reported that we had lost two willow trees during the recent storms and two more need to be removed,
one because of disease and the other to make room for the new nets. The ground had undergone treatment for moss
during the year and another application will be applied in the spring free of charge.
7.
Fixture Secretary Report
Alan Spong presented the report prepared by Andy Reynolds.
Sorry I can`t be at AGM tonight.
Here is my report for fixtures.
Saturday fixtures have been done and a new concept, the league has been split into 4 divisions, except for the 3rd XI
league which is one league of 15,with one team having a free week, also there will be no 3rd XI games on Bank
Holiday weekends.
1st XI are in Division 2,while the 2nd XI are in Division 1.You play home and away with the first 5 games and the
last 4 games are limited overs, and the games in between are timed.
The league starts on Sat 03 May with the 1st XI at home to John Fisher and the 2nd XI are away to Putney. The 3rd
XI however start there campaign on Sat 10 May at home to Woodmansterne and all 3rd XI games are limited overs,
and still play there games at Waterers Park Knaphill.
The League Cup draw is not until the League AGM on Thurs 30 Jan, so I won`t know until I hope on Friday. I have
been told that we are in the 1st round.
Also as soon has I know the draw I will arrange the pre season friendly games.
The 20/20 at the moment have only 9 entries, so the groups have not been established.
Sunday XI
Again we have entered in to the Surrey Trust League, with the first game on Sun 20 April at Guildford.
Please put this into your diary Sunday 6 July will be Presidents Day, and also I have set aside
Sunday31 August for Colts Presentation Afternoon.
I have some dates filled but I am struggling with 6 dates to fill this is due to the late arrangement of the Merrow
game in the STL because the dates I had on hold for some of the clubs we played last season have gone elsewhere.
I would like also put on a Colts V Parents game on Sunday 03 or 10 August, if this is ok please let me know.
Ian Crook will confirm which date is preferable.
8.
Pavilion Report
Nigel Sturt reported that new curtains and blinds had been purchased and hung in the clubroom. Broken tiles on the
roof had been replaced and the gutters cleared. The work that still needed to be done is to re-paint the outside and
the shed. Also a urinal will probably need replacing although a repair has so far avoided this. Overall the pavilion is
in good repair.
9.
Subscriptions for 2014
The Committee proposed the following changes to subscriptions for the coming year. These were accepted by
the meeting.
Full Playing Members Subscription
(inc. Family Membership)
£80.00
Surcharge for Payment received after 1st June to stay at £30-00
Unemployed/Student Playing Membership to be £40.00
Non-Playing Family Membership (Social) to stay at £25.00
Junior subscription to increase from £55.00** to £65.00 for first child from family, each additional under 18
playing membership to be increased from £10.00 to £30.00.
**This includes Non-playing Family Membership for family members over 18 years at Midnight on 31st of August
in the year preceding the current season. Each additional under 18 at 31st August in the year preceding the current
season playing membership to be £30.00
Playing membership for parent and first child set at £100.00, additional children £10.00 each to be
increased to £110.00, additional children £30.00
10.
Proposed Amendments to Club Rules
No amendments were submitted.
11.
Election of Officers, Captains and Vice Captains for 2010 Season.
Position
President
Duncan Steele-Bodger
Life Members/Life VPs
As per fixture card.
Chairman
Mike Hutton
Treasurer
Jon Allen
Proposed by
John Goldsmith
Seconded by
Dick Medhurst
Result
Unanimous
Unanimous
Alan Spong
Andrew Goldsmith
Unopposed
John Goldsmith
Ian Crook
Unopposed
Secretary
Alan Spong
Ground & Equipment
Mickey Carr
1st X1 Captain
Matt Morrison
1st X1 Vice-Captain
Jon Allen
2nd X1 Captain
Ian Kemish
2nd X1 Vice Captain
Andy Mansbridge
3rd X1 Captain
Ian Crook
3rd X1 Vice Captain
Ben Cooper
Ian Kemish
Jane Tolefree
Unopposed
Nigel Sturt
Mike Hutton
Unopposed
Jon Allen
Will Budd
Unopposed
Will Budd
Ian Kemish
Unopposed
Dick Medhurst
Andrew Goldsmith
Unopposed
Dick Medhurst
Ian Kemish
Unopposed
Nigel Sturt
Babs Wreford
Unopposed
Ian Crook
Nigel Sturt
Unopposed
Will Budd
Nigel Sturt
Unopposed
Will Budd
Mick Carr
Unopposed
Will Budd
Jon Allen
Unopposed
Sunday Captain
Alex Orme
Sun 1st X1 Vice Captain
Jake Cheeseman
Midweek Captain
Jake Cheeseman
12.
Presidents Address
John Goldsmith made a short address to the meeting. He said that there was a “new energy” around the club and
this needs to be supported and maintained by the whole membership. Mel Keenan and Will Budd were commended
for their efforts in raising funds for the new nets and need to be supported. He spoke about ideas Mel has for taking
the club forward especially with regard to raising funds and that every effort needs to be made to ensure the nets
project is completed on schedule. To this end an interest free loan over 4 years for £5000 had been obtained for
Chobham Poor Allotments. He reminded the members that the club has a responsibility to the local community and
we must keep relationship going.
John said he had enjoyed presiding over 18 President’s days and the advantage is that the format is now well
established and that they should continue in this way or a similar vain. He said he had also held 9 fund raising
dinners with a range of guest speakers and hopes that somebody can revive them in the future. Big achievements
during his tenure included the club winning the Bill Silk award and the establishment of the junior section by
Graham Oliver, assisted by Guy Franklin and Ian Crook.
From a fund raising viewpoint the Lotto Bonus Ball competition had been run for 19 years and probably raised
around £15000 during this period. The time had come to replace it with something else and asked members to come
forward with ideas. The 100 Club can fill the gap and people should be encouraged to join.
He concluding by thanking everybody for their support during his term of office and that it had been good fun and
that he would continue as a member and supporter.
On behalf of the club the outgoing captain, Jon Allen, expressed the gratitude of the members to John for all his
hard work and presented him with a bench on which he can sit and enjoy the cricket.
13.
Any other Business
The Treasurer stated that the nets appeal currently stood at £12,500. He urged those present to please support fund
raising activities and to encourage others to support.
Mel Keenan distributed a paper containing an outline plan for fund raising events over the season.
Jon Allen reported that Tim Lloyd from Helensburgh CC had informed him that they had bought the tickets for all
rounder, Ryan Morris, to join us for the season. Ryan arrives on 17 th April and will be a welcome addition to our
squad.
Ian Crook reminded everybody that winter nets start at Winston Churchill school on 7th February between 7pm and
9pm. The cost will be £6 a session or £48 for complete booking.
14.
Club Awards
The playing awards had been presented on a club night leaving the Club Person of the Year as the only award left.
The winner was Will Budd..
There being no further AGM business the meeting closed at 9:15pm