AGM
Date 23rd May 2022
Attendees : A Furlong, P Brooking, D Harris, T Lane, K Lane, C Bardin, C Bass, H Norman, K Green, G Green, J Stevens.
Apologies : C Scott, T Melling, A Melling, M Brooking, E Stevens Report from the Chair
Covid continued to create unusual challenges for us throughout the year. We have now moved on to a situation where we are ‘living with Covid’ and there are few restrictions – and it is easy to forget what things were like but a quick look through the minutes from 2021 committee meetings list a variety of changes that we have had to cope with – no indoor meeting, table service outside and in, table service indoors (July), extended bar with limited queuing indoors, one only in the loos etc.- Govt support was not at the same level as in 2020 – the degree of restrictions were reduced so in theory businesses had more opportunity to trade – however, we were pleased to receive 2 cv19 grants during the year.
It would be easy to stick the funds into the bank … and we do have plans for the future which will require funding – see our development plan – but we also took the opportunity to use this ‘unexpected’ cash flow – spending to improve the reliability of machinery (roller & outfield mower), defib cabinet, roof repairs, replacing the gutters & facia boards, putting new doors on one of the sheds, installing new hand dryers, fitting an outdoor cabinet for the defibrillator, new tv, doormat with logo, repairing the septic tank, ball stop netting (in partnership with the fishing club). It’s easy to forget many of these as they become part of the background…
As we knew that tennis would be allowed by the end of March and that cricket would very likely start as planned in April, it was agreed that we should set subscriptions at the levels of 2019. So social / indoor activities at £12 & tennis/cricket at £75. It was very encouraging that many of our newer tennis members rejoined – even though David Lloyd was also opening.
In May indoor activities were allowed – Pilates returned with limited numbers and extra use of ventilation (DH had moved the vent controls to make them easily accessible). Meanwhile tennis and cricket returned to something approaching normality and both had full seasons.
Junior coaching continued to be an area of encouragement. Tennis had good numbers throughout the year – persevering until October half term – when the weather began to take its toll. Cricket also had pleasing attendance at Friday
evening sessions – with about 25 youngsters coming along each week for ECB Allstars & Dynamos programme – This has led to the older children playing in an indoor competition in the winter of 2022 & they have been entered a league competition for the 2022 season.
Tennis saw a big investment & the realisation of a long held ambition – with the installation of floodlights – supported by a grant from Sport England. They were
finally switched on in September, seeing some limited use during the autumn during coaching- though they will be very helpful to complete matches during the summer on the same night rather than having to return at a later date to finish a set. Good also to see more organised tennis on top of the two teams playing in leagues – with box leagues for both men & women, and a tournament day during August being well supported. We also have a ‘good problem’ to deal with – as the paint on the courts is showing signs of wear – due to the level of use – so we will have to organise them to be repainted.
The cricket season gives a focus for bar openings & we pursued this again, with the rota of volunteers staffing the bar. Obviously this produces some revenue but it also helps to maintain the club as a community asset. Quizzes, Art evenings & Supper nights were organised at various times when the regulations allowed this – though it was noticeable that some members were understandably reticent to attend – particularly towards the turn of the year … and so these were suspended until spring.
There were a couple of notable community events – In August, a reunion was organised, and it was great to see many former members down at the club. The village Xmas carol concert was also very well attended – as an outdoor event – especially after the disappointment of the PTFA firework show having to be cancelled due to CV19 concerns. Let’s hope 2022 can see these types of event again.
WP U3A also battled hard to resist the challenges of CV19 and maintained their link with the club. Again this helps bring in extra revenue – & having the club used during the day it is somewhat symbiotic – & we would hope to build on this in the future. Brinscall Village FC approached us in May – leading to an agreement that they could use our outfield during the winter – in return for them helping to maintain the grounds using their machinery. The field has been spiked twice, had fertiliser spread and weed killer applied. None of these would have been achieved without this link, so it would seem that this is a positive relationship.
As was mentioned last year the farm next door was up for sale and eventually was purchased by Primrose Holdings (Ivor Farnworth’s company) – after we had entered a legal agreement with them to allow access to the property via our track for building traffic for 4 dwellings and for the potential residents – they would pay a cash sum per dwelling, upgrade the track to cope with the traffic and put a maintenance requirement charge on the properties. During the negotiation I.F. agreed to give us some land behind the clubhouse – for potential clubhouse development/ extra parking and even a 3rd tennis court in the medium term (all of which are in the club development plan). The committee took the view that this was a good offer. The farm would sell at some stage and it may be a case of ‘better the devil you know’. The outcome that has been negotiated may extend the club land holding to three fields down -which would protect the club from any future development. It is also worth noting that whatever happens, the club still owns the track.
Finally we should recognise one of our great strengths: our volunteers. The club works on volunteers – it is massively encouraging to have had good turnouts at working parties which tend to concentrate on outdoor maintenance & have made such a difference around the club. The bar team, house team and grounds team all deserve recognition and thanks for their contributions. As always, we would appeal for more help. Many hands do make light work… the house team has 12 members at the moment – so each pair do a shift every 12 weeks – so if you can help in any capacity … please get in touch.
Our committee are also volunteers and they again deserve much recognition. All the purchases, tasks, teams, developments etc require someone to drive them – and we have a great team who work very hard to keep the club moving forward. As was mentioned earlier, it is easy to forget what has been achieved thought the year – and with that, the very real contributions that each have made.
Again, I have pleasure to say it has been good year. It was challenging in ways we could never have imagined only a few years ago but we have survived and thrived. Finances remain very healthy and membership is encouraging. With the installation of the floodlights, we ticked a major target from our development plan and we
should remain confident for the future.
GG
2. Treasurer’s report
This outlined the strong financial position that the club presently enjoys. Income was supported by strong membership renewals – with around 325 joining. The 2 govt covid grants, 2 Sport England grants -‘return to cricket’ and ‘return to play’ (for tennis floodlights) made a significant impression on our balance sheet though as the report from the chair shows we have invested to support fabric and equipment. The accounts had been audited and were accepted by the meeting as a true record.
3. Election of Officers
The following were elected to the committee:
G Green Chair
J Stevens Treasurer
G Green Secretary
A Furlong Safeguarding
H Norman Tennis
C Bass Tennis
G Sharples Cricket
K Green Social Secretary
K Lane House
D Harris House