Minutes of Annual General Meeting 2019
The Bakers Arms, Martock at 8.00 pmFriday 7th June 2019
Roll Call
The meeting was attended by representatives of 18 teams. Apologies for absence were received from Mandys Bell Boys, Porn Stars, Monkey Spankers, S Club 8, Bell Ash A and Lord Nelson A.
Review of Season 2018-19
Chairman Kevin Fowler stated that the league had another successful season with one issue with fixtures and a query regarding league rules and a very well attended Presentation Night. (These are all addressed elsewhere in the minutes)
Formation of League for 2019-20
The Fixtures Secretary Dave Jones reported that there will be 30 teams in the league next season. The existing 29 will be joined by a new team from the Rose & Crown Bower Hinton. There will, therefore, be 3 divisions of 10 teams. With the promotions and relegations from last season this will give the following:
| First Division | Second Division | Third Division |
| Bakers Rogues | Split Pins (rel) | Bell Ash (rel) |
| Duke of York | Hit & Hopes (rel) | Lords & Ladies (rel) |
| Monkey Spankers | Half Moon | Porn Stars |
| Stoke WMC | Somerton Club* | Mucky Ducks |
| Lord Nelson B | S Club 8 | Lord Nelson A |
| VIPs | Wyndham Arms | Floppers |
| Dolphins | Rose & Crown (Eli’s) | Mandys Bell Boys |
| Bakers Buoys | Hotspots | Ham Boys |
| Nobbys Nuts (prom) | Lamb & Larks (prom) | Levellers |
| Seahawks (prom) | Lamb Shanks (prom) | Rosie’s Rebels ** |
*Formerly Globe Trotters – now to be based at Somerton Sports Club
**New Team based at Rose & Crown, Bower Hinton
Treasurer’s Report
Pete Wescott presented the accounts for the season (appended to these minutes) showing a balance of £833.12. This represents a profit of around £300 on the season. The League is now properly solvent again. The savings over the last two seasons have been due, largely, to a big decrease in spending on Trophies.
In response to a request from Bakers Rogues (Andy Gould), the Treasurer indicated that there will be scope next season for a judicious increase in the quality of some of the trophies. The Committee will also examine how to satisfy those teams who wish to donate to charities rather than have trophies.
League Fees
It was agreed that the league fees would remain at £100 for next season. The profit this season means that there is no need for an increase.
Commencement of Season
It was agreed that there will be a “catch-up” week the week before the final league fixtures next season. This is to prevent a recurrence of the problem we had this season which saw an outstanding match between two contenders for Division 3 promotion after the final round of fixtures. The catch up week will enable any outstanding games to be played before the final round.
There was also a comment regarding the Knockout Cup which, this season, saw a three week gap between first and second rounds.
POST MEETING NOTE: At the Committee meeting held after the AGM, it was agreed that the season would start on 13th September with Nomination Cup 1st round and finish on 27th March – with a free week on 20th March. The preliminary round of the Coronation Cup will be on 3rd April. The KO Cup will commence on 17th April 17th .
Rule Changes
No changes to the Rules were proposed. There had been a query/complaint regarding the semi-final of the Nomination Cup, from the Porn Stars, where the opposing team, who skittled first, had chosen the skittles to be used without any consultation with them. (The semi-finals are played on neutral alleys but without neutral officials present). In future the Secretary undertook to make clear, in the Cup Semi-final notices, that teams need to agree the alley rules and balls to be used before commencing play. (Note that, in the event, teams disagree on the balls to be used this should be settled by Captains tossing a coin, arm wrestling, yard of ale drinking or other amicable convenient method!!)
Presentation Night
It was generally agreed that the Presentation Night had been highly successful with both the Coronation Cup and Knockout Cup finals being closely contested and with a large audience for the Coronation Cup. Turnout was high and all trophies except the Wooden Spoon were collected on the night.
It was agreed that the current format for Presentation Night should be retained and the Committee was thanked for the night and its organisation.
Election of Officials for 2019-20
Pete Wescott stated that the combining of the General Secretary and Treasurer roles was still working well and he was happy to continue to do both for next season.
Keith Brice has stepped down from the Committee.
The following posts were all agreed without a vote:
| Chairman | Kevin Fowler |
| Vice Chairman | Barry Cullimore |
| Match Secretary | Dave Jones |
| Treasurer/Secretary | Pete Wescott |
| President | Richard Wharton |
| Vice-President | Keith Brice |
| Committee | Tim Nobbs, Graeme Whittle, Andy Shire, Andy Gould |
Honorariums
No changes were proposed for any of the posts. These continue as:
| Chairman | £60 |
| Treasure/Secretary | £400 |
| Match Secretary | £260 |
Any Other Business
There was some discussion regarding which team plays first in league games. Traditionally the home team always goes first (though there is no rule). Sometimes an away team may need to get away early due to bus driver schedules and, on occasion, teams have had to leave before eating. It was generally agreed that, so long as the away team are present at the scheduled start time, it would be reasonable to ask the opposing Captain if they could skittle first, stating the reason for this. As a “social” league we should always seek agreement rather than conflict and reliance on rules and Committee rulings!.
There being no further business the meeting closed at 8-35 pm.
Pete Wescott
General Secretary
