Mesdames:- J.Keast, M.Warner, J Fitness, M Brinton, P Deal, L Burley, V Wodehouse, E Knight, V Pitman, J Brown, R Harbisher, L Ashworth, E Relton, S Norman, J Cant, I Jones, J Vaughan, W Brown, J Newton.

Messrs:- R.Bell, C.Mason, K.Keast, B Thompson, J Finch, B Benfield, D L Stone, J Deal, C Pote, J King, W Heaton, R Mabley, B Relton, M Booth, C Bickerdike, G Norman, G Warren, H Payne.

Mesdames:- J Heath, E Hocking, F Barker, W Thornton, P Meade.

Messrs:- J Barker, R Bliss, J Bryant, L Haynes.

The Secretary welcomed those present, and informed them that the Chairman was unwell and unable to attend. Unfortunately the Vice-Chairman was also unavailable and therefore she proposed to deal with item six on the Agenda first, Election of Officers.

Election of Officers:

It was proposed by Mrs M Warner and seconded by W Heaton that the nominations be voted en-bloc. Carried.

Hon Membership Secretary Mrs R Harbisher

The new Vice Chairman now took over and began by extending sympathy to the Payne family, and hopes for a speedy recovery. Mr Warren said that if necessary he would organise transport for Mrs Payne to the hospital.

Minutes of last meeting:

Matters Arising:

The only matter arising was the possibility of sending a team to the Tollemache, and the Chairman told the meeting he would raise this matter in his report.

Presentation of Trophies:

The prizes were presented for the County Knock Out, John Perks, and East & West Leagues.

Chairman’s Report:

Mr Warren read from Mr Payne’s notes. He had asked for his thanks to be given to J Barker, Mrs J Keast, and the rest of the committee for their help during the past year. He also thanked J Barker and R Bell for agreeing to run the Green Point this year. He reminded the meeting of the lengthy discussion, which took place at last year’s AGM on the subject of the Tollemache. Pressure has been put on the EBU to change the venue and to split the event into two sections. M Booth had told the committee that Yorkshire had proposed splitting the Tollemache into four divisions. If these proposals were accepted, the committee may feel obliged to send a team to the Tollemache, paying only entry fee and travel for two cars.

The Chairman asked for comments from the floor. M Booth told the meeting that the possibility of four divisions had been dismissed by the EBU, and that the proposal to divide into two divisions would be decided in October. He went on to say that many of the larger counties are against the proposal, and felt that it would fail. As for the venue, C Bickerdike had heard it was to be changed to Hinkley, this was felt to be only marginally better than Kettering. W Heaton told the meeting that Cornwall always used to send a team, and only stopped because of the cost, and the fact that our team was outclassed. Mrs M Warner proposed sending a team if the competition was split into two divisions. This was seconded by D L Stone. M Booth proposed sending a team regardless of the outcome of the EBU meeting, W Thomson seconded. This amendment was voted on and carried by a narrow margin.

Treasurer’s Report:

The Treasurer distributed copes of the accounts, and reported a surplus of £900 for the year. He was asked if there would be sufficient funds to cover the expense of the Tollemache, and felt that this would not be a problem. The main expense each year was the travel costs for the South West League. K Keast asked why these costs were so much higher this year, and M Booth replied that there had been one more away match last year to accommodate another County, but that there would be one less away match this year. The Chairman asked why the travel costs were less this year, and was informed that three pairs went to the Corwen last year, and only one this year.

The Chairman thanked the Treasurer and called for a proposal to adopt the accounts. M Booth proposed, W Thomson seconded. Carried.

Tournament Secretary’s Report:

The Tournament Secretary reported that her first year had been challenging but enjoyable. Entries were up on the previous year. She asked for entry fees to be sent ahead if possible, as this would save time at events, particularly the Swiss Teams. She thanked those who came early to help set up the room. Mrs Deal was thanked for her hard work.

Membership Secretary’s Report:

The Membership Secretary reported that there were 273 members at present, including five juniors. Although this was down on last year, there could be quite a number who have paid direct that she did not know about. She informed the meeting that Cornwall was not at present joining the EBU Membership Centralisation because of computer security matters. She is in contact with the EBU who are trying to solve the problem. The Chairman thanked Mrs Harbisher.

League Reports:

Mrs W Brown for the East league reported that numbers were down again last year, with the only consolation being those that did enter got to play more matches.

Mrs F Barker was unable to attend, but had asked the Secretary to report that two teams from the second division had disbanded, so she had divided the remaining ten teams into two divisions of five as laid down in the rules.

M Booth for the Western League reported that it had been a successful year with the A team coming fourth, the B team coming first, and the C team coming fourth. The overall result was that Cornwall came in first position. M Booth read out the dates of the fixtures for next season, and W Thomson suggested these be put on the County Website. The Chairman asked if this was the first time that Cornwall had won the League, and R Bell informed him that we had won once before in the past before there were three divisions. B Benfield suggested having a pool of players prepared to play for each division, so that it would be easier for the selectors, and to let them know the dates they may be needed well in advance.

Election of Committee:

It was proposed by W Heaton and seconded by J Finch that the nominations be voted en-bloc. Carried.

Mrs L Ashworth, Mrs M Warner, Mrs W Brown, J King, C. Mason, Mrs L Burley, R Mabley, M Booth J Barker. Mr R Bell pointed out the Mr J Barker had been either Chairman or Vice Chairman for the past twenty years or so, and called for a vote of thanks.

Election of Honorary Auditor:

It was proposed by Mrs M Warner and seconded by K Keast that N Grenfell is re-elected as Honorary Auditor. Carried. The Chairman thanked Mr Grenfell.

Cornwall Congress Report:

J King handed round an Income and Expenditure account and pointed out that a small profit of £20 had been made this year. Entries were up on the previous year but so were the costs. He told the meeting that when he had confirmed the date of the next Congress with the Atlantic Hotel, he was informed that the venue was unavailable on that date. Mr King had then started to look at other venues, and had found a large hall at Kingsley Village, Fraddon. However when two other Committee members went to see it , they considered it unsuitable. Mr Warren had suggested the Falmouth Beach Hotel, which was found to be much better. The rooms are cheaper than at the Atlantic at £49 for dinner, bed and breakfast, the meals are £15 instead of £20, with a Carvery on Sunday for £10.95. There are other savings in that the Falmouth Beach does not charge for water, and it is thought that there will be no need for uplighters. Mr King was grateful to Mr Warren and looking forward to a good Congress. 150 brochures had already been sent out. Mr King ended by thanking Mr Barker and Mr Bell without whom the congress could not succeed. Mr C Bickerdike suggested taking out an advert in the EBU magazine, and was informed this had already been done. He also suggested inviting other Counties to take part in a teams competition on the Friday. Players entering would surely stay for the whole weekend. Another promotional idea from Mr Bickerdike was that free transport be given to any players arriving at Newquay airport. The Chairman promised that the committee would look into these suggestions.

Mrs L Ashworth asked if the directors could be provided with microphones and was told that the Hotel had agreed to provide 3 wireless microphones for the weekend.

The Chairman thanked Mr King for all his hard work.

EBU Future Strategy Proposals:

B Relton representing Bude was the first to speak on this matter. The Bude club with only 14 EBU members was very much against these proposals. Their Committee had worked out that they would have to pay £1245 extra every year without any benefit to the club. Mr Relton went on to say that if these proposals were adopted, Bude would become non-affiliated.

Mrs J Newton, an EBU member for many years, was also against the new proposals. She pointed out that she would, as a club member, be paying 250% more to play bridge. She suggested the EBU send a membership card on receipt of a subscription, which could be presented at any club to receive a discount. Therefore non EBU members would pay more for their bridge.

J Finch told the meeting that those playing once a week would pay no more than the present subscription, but that for each extra night per week the cost would be about £15 per year.

W Thomson felt that non EBU members were ‘riding on the back of the EBU members’, and that bridge must have a governing body, and that governing body needed more money. He did feel however that financial supervision was necessary.

W Heaton agreed with Mr Thomson and felt that the more you play the more you should pay.

Mrs L Burley on behalf of the Falmouth club thought that in general there would be less work for the organisers to do – no points to print and hand out etc. She also said that her committee felt that the changes were inevitable.

G Norman remarked that the Mr Bridge magazine, always anti EBU in the past, had been silent on this matter.

C Pote for Liskeard reported that with only six EBU members, his club would obviously be against the proposals, and he feared that the non EBU members in Liskeard would vote to leave the EBU.

M Booth felt that most clubs in other Counties, where higher table money is involved would not object to 30p extra.

G Norman replied that it was irrelevant how much other clubs paid.

R Mabley would like our representative to question the EBU as to what will be done with the extra money.

R Bell felt that the EBU need to change the way that they finance themselves, as they do nothing for the ordinary member, but pay out vast sums, for example they recently purchased Bridge Mates for 400 tables.

C Mason hoped that Mr Warren and Mr Booth representing Cornwall at a regional meeting tomorrow would empress on the EBU that Cornwall are not in favour of these proposals.

Letters had been received from Falmouth Club, Camborne Club, Penzance Club,Mrs J Fitness, and Mrs M Farmery. The Chairman briefly summarised the contents for the meeting.

At this point the Chairman called for a vote on the new proposals. In favour – 12. Against – 16. Abstentions – 3.

Any Other Business:

B Benfield asked if a heat of the National Pairs would be held this year since the final does not now clash with the Congress. Representatives from Truro and Bodmin promised to consider the matter.