PRESENT

S Constable President

M Fletcher Chairman

P Rhodes-Fisher Secretary

P Belton Treasurer

B Claridge Wessex League Secretary

B Harris Publicity Officer

C Keep G Carroll (Abingdon) P Jordan P Bowen B McCarthy ( Thame ) N Cundy ( University )

P Stevenson J Simpson E Alden W Ling K Talbot ( Oxford )I Merriman (Witney)

N Perceval-Price ( Menagerie) M Brown P Baxter ( Wallingford) G Nicholas (Aylesbury)

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

M Day D Bygott A Bryden S Brown K Kennedy N Bresler J Barlow R Brown

MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS

The minutes of the meeting held on 9^th April 2001 were agreed and signed, proposed by K Talbot seconded by E Alden and carried unanimously.

The minutes of the meeting held on 7^th June 2001 were agreed and signed, proposed by S Constable

Seconded by P Stevenson and carried unanimously.

MATTERS ARISING

The motion proposed at the AGM regarding the composition of the Selection Committee in which there were 6 votes in favour and 5 against ultimately failed. As it would have meant a change in the Constitution a 2/3 majority was necessary.

A Nicholson has volunteered her services as County Youth Officer. She would welcome contact from any members who can assist.

OBA Sim Pairs - C Keep and M Simpson were thanked for volunteering to write the commentaries.

The Amit Badiani trophy for the Swiss Pairs championship has been obtained. The Chairman has been in contact with Mr Badiani Snr to agree a suitable form of inscription for Amit’s collection of books which he is proposing to hand over to the Oxford Bridge Club. W Ling stated that the bookcase is in place and it is planned for the books to be made available for loan. C Keep suggested that the website be updated with this information.

Further to the changes recently agreed the Wessex League Bye-Laws need to be amended. This will be agreed by B Claridge M Fletcher and S Brown and presented at the next meeting.

B Claridge will seek guidance from Max Bavin regarding transitional arrangements should the Wessex League increase to 5 Divisions. At present there are 39 teams and an increase of 2 teams would seem the optimum number to enlarge to 5 Divisions.

B Claridge will also remind Wessex League captains that matches should now be played in two stanzas of 12 boards.

OFFICERS REPORTS

The Secretary had nothing to report

The Chairman had nothing additional to Agenda items to report.

The Treasurer reported that the finances were in a healthy position due mainly to the influx of subscriptions. He also reminded the Abingdon delegates that there was still an outstanding amount of £93 from a cheque which had not been honoured.

The Membership Secretary reported that there were 648 members. Reminders about subscriptions were to be sent out by the EBU.

She also sought the views of the Committee regarding the provision of the list of members to clubs on disc. After discussion it was agreed that whilst there was no implication under the Data Protection Act the lists should not be given but the Membership Secretary would happily check membership.

The Match Secretary did not submit a formal report but a team comprising S Noble K Bennett

M Day and N Perceval Price had recently won the Healey Cup

R Brown submitted a written report. T o date there were 9 confirmed Presidents Cup entries and

8 Chester Cup entries.

M Brown reported that the Summer League had gone well and urged more entries for next year.

EBU Report P Baxter reported that the date of the last meeting had been changed so he had not been able to attend. He informed the meeting however that a new General Manager Terry Collier had been appointed. There were no proposed changes to subscriptions for 2002/3. A scoring programme should be available in the autumn. It was hoped to include Bridge as a "Sport of the Mind" at the Commonwealth Games. Peter was given Committee backing in his judgement at the impending elections at the AGM of the EBU.

B Claridge will check with S Claridge and liase with P Jordan regarding the position of the

County Constitution.

The Publicity Officer explained the EBU omission of the County news in English Bridge. The news had been published on the website and all club secretaries had been circulated.

She urged all delegates to submit information . S Noble agreed to proof –read. B Claridge and

C Keep agreed to verify the information going to the magazine.

The Publicity Officer concluded her report by urging delegates to canvas the reasons for such apathy in the clubs and asked all clubs to advertise county events. P Baxter added that Wallingford club includes all county events in the Membership calendar.

GREEN POINT EVENT

The Chairman stated that volunteers were still sought if the County wished to stage such an event and a bid will not be made until a support team is organised, the main duty being to arrange a venue.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS

B McCarthy assisted in drafting a proforma for participants in the County Pairs final

P Baxter on behalf of Wallingford and Thame clubs asked the Management Committee to consider the following proposed change to the Wessex League rules

"If the home team wishes to offer a non club venue for a match it must be acceptable to both teams otherwise the location should revert to the away team’s club venue any additional expense incurred being the responsibility of the original home team."

This proposal follows a practice of some clubs holding teams of eight matches in private houses and some of the venues offered have been deemed unacceptable by the visiting team.

Discussion ensued and the chairman agreed that there had been comments that need to be addressed. He added that it was incumbent on all hosts to ensure suitability and for outlying clubs thought should be given to the option of a central venue. Objection could only be raised on the unsuitability of the venue and not the distance. P Jordan sought guidance from the meeting if team captains refuse to consider a central venue. After discussion the chairman stated that it was preferable if agreement could be reached but there was nothing in the Bye-Laws to suggest the home team should change venue.

W Ling suggested that it was time that prize money for County competitions should be reviewed. After a brief discussion the chairman suggested that this should be considered at the next meeting.

Wallingford Bridge are starting "Bridge for All" classes week commencing 17^th September.

DATE OF NEXT MEETING

Monday 7^th January 2002

There being no other business the meeting closed @ 8:57pm