| Committee members present | Chris Holt, John Norris, Linda Norrie, Paul Willmott, Mark Bampkin, Paul Drake, Fay Carpenter |
| Apologies received | Matt Robbins, Steve Scoles |
| Meeting commenced 20:10. | |
| 28 persons present including parents. | |
Minutes of previous AGM read out by PW. MB asked whether the minutes had been written up from contemporaneous notes as he understood the previous secretary (AH) refused to continue as secretary when voted out at the previous AGM. CH advised they had been. NP advised he believed there to be "gaps" in the minutes and what was being done to resolve them? CH advised at present it was impossible to resolve them.
Decision to accept minutes as correct - proposed by CH, seconded by PW. Vote taken and 7 happy with minutes, 1 against.
Matter raised regarding change of clothing regs 25/11/2005. Richard Moriarty asked how is clothing checked and who carries out the checking? CH advised that all coaches are aware of the changes and they all would be checking clothing on club nights.
MB gave Secretaries report. Increase in enquiries via the website, most responses now taking place via email. All forms for beginner classes now sent electronically. Busy year for Secretary, new posters, beginners forms, change of venue resulting in negotiation of contracts. PW proposed to accept Secretary report, PD seconded. Accepted.
FC gave Treasurers report. Balance sheet circulated. Balance sheet covers 16 months not 12 as it was felt that now was the ideal time to run the accounts Jan to Jan rather than Sep to Sep. Now that the Club is at Moulton there is no "down time" due to school summer holidays. FC advised that the club had made a small loss this year, however a large amount of new equipment has been purchased and this had been budgeted for. FC also advised two cheques had bounced this year. Richard Moriarty asked whether this had cost the club any money and FC advised that she had spoken to NP regarding this matter and it was being looked into. SL asked about Club Leader discounts, being the difference between BFA Full and Associate membership. FC advised this was no longer an issue since BFA changed the membership structure.
Captains report by JN. Advised that the year had been a busy one for the club, including :-
Gary Baker Epee March 2005 - Won by G Beech, Plate won by M Bampkin Gary Baker Epee Jan 2006 - Won by D Joyce (towcester), Plate won by J Norrie
Doug Facer Foil April 2�5 Won by J Beech with J Norrie and G Beech joint third. 6 of the top 8 were from the club
Northamptonshire County Championships Sep 2005 Club members won 5 of the 6 titles. J Beech won Foil and Junior Foil, L Norrie Ladies Foil, J Norrie the Sabre. Master at Arms won by J Norrie.
Bedfordshire County Championships Nov 2005 J Beech won Foil, Junior Foil and Junior Sabre. L Norrie won Ladies Foil.
Titles won by the Norries so far this include:
Foil
JB 39 (cadets) and 169 (senior)
PW thanked JN for all his efforts over the last 16 months. PW proposed the Captains report be accepted and this was seconded by CH
President - proposed CH - 1 vote against - CH elected
JN - deferred to CH
Vice Presidents - None added
Chairman - PW proposed - vote unanimous
Secretary - MB and NT proposed - vote unanimous
MB deferred to NT
Treasurer - MB and SR proposed - vote unanimous
MB deferred to SR
Captain - CH and JN proposed - vote unanimous
CH deferred to JN
Vice Captain - GB proposed - vote unanimous
Ladies Captain - LN proposed - vote unanimous
A N Other - MB and NT proposed - Vote unanimous
NT already elected as Secretary
Armourer - PD proposed - vote unanimous
JN advised next Committee meeting would be held next Wednesday and thereafter held every 1st Wednesday of every second month.
Trophies
Excelsior Ropes - awarded to J Hancock (Awarded to winner of beginners competition) Beginners competition to be now held at the end of the year to include all beginners of that year.
Rochford Trophy - awarded to R Moriarty (Awarded to fencer showing most progress)
60th Anniversary of Club
Ideas from members included:
J Rigby suggested an article in the Sword magazine. MB advised that this had already been submitted and received a reply that it would be featured in a forthcoming edition.
NP suggested that whatever was decided upon it should include some form of fundraising for the Club FC advised that whatever was done costs must be considered.
NP provided notes on a proposed amendment to the current Constitution. This is regarding Gift Aid and CASK. It was decided to continue with researching the issue of Gift Aid etc at a Committee meeting and decide on whether to continue once all the facts are available.
JR requested feedback on the Extraordinary General Meeting that was held
MB - minutes had been circulated. FC advised that 3 venues were considered, Moulton, Unity and Caroline Chisholm. All members at the meeting were provided with detailed descriptions of costs, facilities and drawbacks of each of the three venues. A vote was taken and Moulton received a unanimous vote, with one abstaining. CH explained that the venue offered by Unity was unsuitable due severe lack of storage.
AH requested her name be removed as contact for the Club as she still receives enquiries! In response MB and CH explained that several attempts have been made to ensure that all contact details held are correct. However due to the nature of the internet especially it can take some time before all details are changed. The matter is in hand!
NP asked whether any progress had been made on obtaining the trophies believed to be held at the Crown and Cushion Pub? JN advised that he had received 5 Shields KA advised the Sword was under repair
Auditor needed to be elected, NP was proposed and agreed
FC advised that membership fees are currently £ 120 a year and proposed that no increase be made. MB advised that he had spoken with Moulton and they had agreed not to increase the Hall rate this year. FC also advised that she felt that something should be done to ensure that the beginners course covers the cost of the venue. Currently a minimum of 6 beginners are needed.
A recommendation from the Committee to Club Members was made that the Membership Fee not be increased this year. This was agreed. Membership Fee to remain at £ 120 pa.
Clarification was made regarding the "visitors fee". FC advised this was applied to regular visitors to the Club who, for whatever reason, did not want to join and pay the " 120. It was not applied to members of other Clubs who visited infrequently.
PD addressed the Members and requested that some respect is shown to Club equipment as it is there for Members use, is paid for from Club funds, and he has to repair it! Recently he has noticed that zips have been damaged, clips gone missing and parts from the toolbox have gone missing. "Please look after the kit!" FC advised that subscription fees would need to increase if kit continued to be damaged.
JN advised that Bedford Fencing Club are holding a Team Epee competition in memory of Jack Ashmenal on the 26th February 2006
Meeting closed 9:30