33rd AGM of Ditton Bridge Club 

Tuesday 28th May 2024

Attendees

John Dagnall, Chair; Adam Emerson, Secretary; Jen Morgan; Paul McGrath; Peter Tingle; Ken Wilshire; Marion Hart; Patsy Coulter; Karl Young; Keith Williams; Jacqui Joseph; Paul Hainsworth; Christine Morgan; Eddie Bleasdale; Evelyn Bleasdale; Andrew Travers; Suzanne McGrath; Allan Pratt; Julie Minards; Gill Smith; Sam Atfield; Penny Shepherd; Carolyn Shakerchi; Janet Adams; Richard Parker; Robin Moon; Sheila Curry-Price; Gabrielle Roberts; Giovanni Homewood

Apologies 

Redvers Cunningham, Treasurer; Claire Dagnall; Janis Fletcher; Fay Grayer

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting. He invited the members to approve the minutes of the previous AGM which was agreed unanimously. 

Chairman’s Report: John Dagnall said that the major event for the club had been our temporary move to St Nicholas Church Hall. He felt that things had been going well at the Thames Ditton Centre and that we hoped to be back there soon in a fully refurbished building. Vital Village, who will be running the Centre, had so far been very helpful and had covered the additional cost of renting the Church Hall.

John thanked all of our players for coming along and helping to set up and clear away all our equipment. He particularly thanked his wife, Claire, who provided refreshments almost every week. He finished by encouraging members to play in Surrey-wide competitions and noted that a Ditton team had reached the final of the Lady Rose Plate this year.

Treasurer’s Report: The Treasurer was unfortunately unable to attend due to work commitments but the Committee was able to present the accounts as had been discussed at the previous Committee meeting. The Club’s financial position was very healthy and we had managed to run a surplus following the increase in table money approved at the last AGM. We had still not been charged some months’ rent by Elmbridge Borough Council and it was unclear if this would ever happen.

The members then voted to approve these accounts. 

The nominations for Club Officers were as follows:

Chair, John Dagnall 

Treasurer, Red Cunningham 

Secretary, Adam Emerson 

Committee, Jen Morgan, Paul McGrath, Ken Wilshire

All were approved unanimously. 

Peter Tingle volunteered as honorary auditor and this was accepted.

The Treasurer had recommended that membership subscriptions remained at £10 and table money at £5 for members and £6 for guests. There were no objections. 

Trophies were awarded to the winners of Club competitions:

John Harris Cup (Pairs Championship): Marion Hart and Ken Wilshire 

Teams Championship: Fay Grayer, Steve Back, Adam Emerson, Peter Tingle 

Pairs Plate: Eddie and Evelyn Bleasdale

Ken Wilshire proposed a change in the way we run the Club Championship. He suggested that, instead of a one night event, we should hold a series of events throughout the year. The members seemed to be generally in favour of the proposal and the Committee agreed to discuss how best to implement it. 

The meeting was then closed and play began.