Report of AGM and Council Meeting

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George Noble (left) being presented with the Council Medal by the President, Quiller Barrett. (Photo: Liz Larsson)

The AGM was held in the dining room of Hurlingham, with the club looking at its best: a glorious day of autumn sunshine. There were 80 chairs set out and most were occupied.

Barry Keen gave the annual report of council on a successful year, in which the BestInvest WCF Golf Croquet World Championship and the associated U21 Championship had been held. The thoughts of the meeting were with Pat Kennett, who is very seriously ill, and her partner Brian Fisk.

In response to questions, Simon Whitely was assured that members would be consulted about changes to Golf Croquet Laws and Ian Wilson that consideration would be given to harmonising the laws of Association and Golf Croquet.

Roger Bray commented on the 2010 accounts and, looking ahead, gave the impression that the Association's finances were still relatively sound, despite the difficult financial times. In particular, membership of clubs had increased, which had bolstered subscription income. Expenditure had been much as expected, with grants to clubs now a significant proportion. Regrettably, the attempt to reduce the costs of the Gazette by contract publishing had not been successful in attracting sufficient advertising.
In response to a question by Richard Hilditch, Roger said that loans to clubs were still available.

There were no contested elections and the motion to elect Jonathan Isaacs as a Vice-President was passed nem. con. with acclamation.

The Steel Bowl was awarded to Gabrielle Higgins (Hurlingham), the Spiers trophy to Nick Cheyne (Surbiton) and the Apps Memorial Bowl was taken to be awarded to Sanaa Hallam (Nottingham) at a later date.

The Townsend Award was given jointly to Bury and Swindon; the Apps-Heley Award had previously been given to Chester. Dr. Michael Lester from the Budleigh Salterton club was declared Coach of the Year and 27 diplomas were awarded.

The Council Medal was awarded to George Noble, who was supported by a large contingent from the Surbiton Club which he had helped to found over 20 years ago.

In closing the meeting, the President, Quiller Barrett, referred to the deaths of Betty Prichard, a Vice-President, and Charles Jones, the President of the WCF. He expressed his personal view that the Association should support all clubs, whatever their mix of social and competitive play, and that Council should be doing more to enable young players to be competitive internationally. He thanked the sixty or so members already involved with running the CA and noted that there was room for more: please approach the chairman of the relevant committee if you are interested.

At the afternoon Council meeting, Barry Keen was re-elected as Chairman and Jeff Dawson as Vice-Chairman of Council and Chairman of the Management Committee. Roger Staples was elected Chairman of the Coaching Committee, Peter Death of Development and Investment, Ian Vincent of ICT, Lawrence Whittaker of Marketing and Stephen Mulliner of GC Selection; the other chairmen are unchanged.

The items for approval in the Report of the Management Committee were mainly financial. The details of the discount scheme for the first two years of individual membership were agreed and a new system of banking accounts and signatorieswas approved, to reduce the risk of fraud, given that some banks no longer accept dual signature mandates, particularly for internet banking. It was also agreed to insure against losses due to fraud for a year and review this once the system has bedded down.

A working party to review the relations between the CA and the Federations is being set up.