AGM 2016 Minutes

Dan Campling 21.12.16 Club News

Minutes of the Thames MCC Annual General Meeting 2016

28th November

Present: Steve Austin, Paul Sims, Simon Ward, Mark Ward, Jeff Morgan, Peter Thatcher, Bob Bartholomew, Peter Steer, Jon Yendell, Nigel Hains, Robin Ball, Gary Brown, Steven Brown, Bob Brown

It was agreed that as a gesture of thanks to those attending that refreshments would be provided by the club. The Club Chairman Steve Austin opened the meeting at 8.45 pm

Apologies for absence: there were no apologies for absence
Minutes of the last AGM held on 23rd November 2015: The minutes had been circulated after the meeting and with the November newsletter, Jeff Morgan proposed that they were adopted, seconded by Martin Kemp and signed by the Chairman.
Matters Arising: There were no matters arising from these minutes.
Club Secretary’s Report from Bob Brown: I would like to thank the committee and everyone that have supported the club by officiating and riding in the club’s 9 club trials since last AGM, entries are down on last year’s averaging at 41 (ranging from 16 to 63). The Mike Kemp Trial at Hungry Hill was very successful and the entry was up to 97 from 76, the Suzette Farmer trial at Hook Wood Trials Centre was excellent but entry down (71 to 80 in 2015), there were no sidecars as it clashed with a national Trial. We ran a combined trial with the Worthing Club ar Sethern due to double booking of the land which worked well as they did the setting out. The Presentation Evening was enjoyable, thanks to Martin for arranging the trophies and to Margaret Brown for providing the refreshments. Jim Howell is the Centre Inter Class Champion with Jon Yendell finishing third, Peter Dale/Harriet Shore finished second in the Centre Sidecar Class with Daryl Dale/Hannah Etherington third, they along with Simon Evans/Nick Harding have been competing in the British Sidecar Championship which finished yesterday. Ian Peberdy is the Sammy Miller Twinshock Champion. On line entry for open trials has been introduced, results have been disappointing but it is early days. We sponsored a section at the Sethern, Hook Woods and Butser British Championship trials and part sponsored the mugs for the Lewis Farmer fund raiser. It is my intention to stand down at this AGM to allow someone with a better understanding of modern computer techniques to take over.
Treasurer’s Report from Jeff Morgan: The club’s bank balance is down £110 on last year’s, no interest is now being paid on our deposit account. It was agreed that adult subscriptions would remain at £10, social at £2, with youth subscriptions at £5. It was also agreed to raise the adult entry fee to £20 for all events where any profit from cheaper venues will subsidise the cost at MoD land. The club is exempt from Corporation Tax until May 2017 when we need to re-apply for exemption.
Permit & Land Officer’s Report from Simon Ward: All the private land has been booked for 2017and have verbal agreement for 2 trials on MOD land, the meeting agreed that Simon should proceed with the booking based on the budget figures that had been provided, the minimum charge now is £1000. Simon stated that he would confirm all bookings and request permits for club trials after which he would be standing down due to recent house move to the country, he was thanked for all his efforts.
Star Group Report from Paul Sims: Paul read out the Stewards Report from the Suzette Farmer Trial which was very good, the club had won The Sunbeam Shield in 2015 for runner up in the club championship. There are now only 9 clubs in the group, there was no trial in September, the April and November trials were run by the combine clubs amalgamating resources. In 2017 the Pre67 classes would have a choice of riding the red or yellow route and a Air Cooled monoshock class would be introduced on the red route.
Recorder & Award Secretary’s Report from Martin Kemp: The 2016 Championship was completed yesterday but due to PC problems the final championship positions will not be known for a week, awards will then be purchased for the appropriate winners along with those from the Suzette Farmer and Mike Kemp trials. The presentation night will be on Monday 6th February 2017, all members are welcome. It was agreed to increase the number of rides to 4 to qualify for Championship awards from 2017.
Newsletter Editor’s Report from Hannah Etherington (via Bob Brown): Hannah has produced excellent monthly newsletters from information provided to her along with her own stock of pictures.
Membership Secretary’s Report from Steven Brown: The club membership is slightly down this year at 103including 4 youths from 111 in 2015, although 28 were new or returning members; 36 did not re-join from 2015. SSTC members could have affiliated membership for £2 and members would be affiliated at no cost to the South Harrow & DMCC to enable them to ride in South Midland Centre and Meteor Group trials. The ACU on-line facility for club membership renewal went well and is set up again for 2017, so far we have had 29 renewals with 23 of them through the ACU. A reminder email notifying members of a club membership renewal will be sent out with these minutes, membership packs will be sent to those with no email address. It was agreed that children of club members would be offered free club membership in an attempt to attract new young riders.
Webmaster’s Report from Brain Cohen (via Bob Brown): Brian had tendered his resignation as from the end of the year. An offer from Dan Campling was received and accepted to re-design the site, the facebook page was maintained by Gary and Steve Brown.
Chairman’s Address: Steve Austin thanked all the committee for their hard work during the past year. He also thanked the clerks of the courses laying out the 9 trials and the secretaries of the meeting for officiating at the events. This coming year will maybe bring about a period of change due to the excessive land charges that are being levied onto us by the MoD, but with an average of 41 riders this year and a reasonably healthy bank balance that the club will continue to flourish. He wished everyone a happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year!
Selection of New Committee:
PRESIDENT: MALCOLM RATHMELL
CHAIRMAN: STEVE AUSTIN
SECRETARY: BOB BROWN
TREASURER: JEFF MORGAN
NEWSLETTER EDITOR: HANNAH ETHERINGTON
MEMBERSHIP SEC: STEVEN BROWN
AWARDS SECRETARY: MARTIN KEMP
LAND/PERMIT OFFICER: Vacant
CLUB RECORDER: MARTIN KEMP
WEBMASTER: PETER THATCHER
EVENT SEC KIT KEEPER: BOB BROWN
TOILETS KEEPER: PAUL SIMS
STAR GROUP REP: PAUL SIMS
MARK WARD: COMMITTEE MEMBER
SIMON WARD: COMMITTEE MEMBER
JON YENDELL: COMMITTEE MEMBER
NIGEL HAINS: COMMITTEE MEMBER
GARY BROWN: COMMITTEE MEMBER
PETER STEER: COMMITTEE MEMBER
As there were no volunteers to stand as Secretary, Bob reluctantly agreed to carry on. There was no volunteer to take the Land/Permit Officer’s job, there will be no trials in 2018 if no one comes forward.
Confirm Trials Dates and officials for 2017: The club has applied to run The Mike Kemp Classic – which would be a Centre Championship round for Pre 67 and Twinshocks on 31st December at Hungry Hill, the entry fee for which will need to be £25. Our round of the Star Group Championship would be held on 8th or 15th October at Hook Wood Trials Centre (dependant on the clash with a sidecar national) plus 9 Club Trials. Senior Officials were appointed for most of the trials but there is a need for members to step forward and assist especially with setting out trials and clear up afterwards plus observing at Open/Restricted trials, free rides are offered to those setting out and £15 expenses for observing.
Any Other Business: Jon Yendell said that there are too many clubs chasing too few riders and suggested that we talk with other clubs about jointly running trials, it was agreed to ask RRND if they wished to join us at Betchworth in September. He also suggested that we should consider supporting up and coming younger riders in their quest for International success.
Close: The Chairman closed the meeting at 10.45 pm and thanked everyone for attending.

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Dan Campling 21.12.16 Club News