Minutes of the Annual General Meeting of the
Hampstead Lawn Billiard and Skittle Club
held in the Freemasons Arms, Downshire Hill, Hampstead
on Tuesday January 11th, 2000 at 8.00 pm GMT

Apologies for absence: Guy Tunnicliffe (late appearance)

Failure to turn up: Katy Reese (driver to Tom Lederer)

1. Minutes of last AGM: not available for reasons no one was quite clear about (lost computer disk).

2. Matters arising: not possible consequent on above. It was agreed that if anyone recalled anything relevant, it could be brought up under AOB.

3. The Chair made a few remarks on the lines of "Here we are in a new Millennium for the World, Humankind and Skittles.... He was listened to with due gravitas and attention.

4. The Secretary's Report was presented and accepted.  Various points of information and comment were made.  Paul Robinson announced that the web site had had over eighty visits. It was suggested that The Freemasons' might like to establish its own website.  Bass might mention the skittles site on their site. Thanks and appreciation to Paul were expressed.
Steve Barnes reminded us that the Norbury Skittle Club has at present no bar (cries of distress).  The Wenlock Arms would be able to supply a container (probably a polypin) of something Real to take with us when we play there. Lager drinkers and others with debased tastes would have to fend for themselves. 
Muted concern was expressed that given the change of landlord/lady, completion of the work in the alley might be delayed.
The success of the Secretary's talk to the South End Green Association was noted and it was agreed that friendly contact with the SEGA might well be valuable in the future.

5. The Treasurer's report was presented and accepted.  Points arising included the understanding that receipts for the year were slightly down as a result of the alley being closed for several weeks. However it was agreed that on the occasions when the Treasurer was not present in the alley, there should be constant vigilance to ensure that all games were paid for.
There was uncertainty as to the whereabouts of the dividend monies due on the Clubs Alliance and Leicester share holding. The Treasurer is to seek it out.

6. Fees for AD2000: There was a division of opinion as to whether fees should be raised. Arguments for included the general observation that fees had been pegged for some years, that everything else was going up and we should play our part in the success of the market economy by raising fees in line. It was also pointed out that the club might need at any time to spend a substantial sum on alley rebuilding etc.  Arguments against included the observation that the club had an adequate financial cushion, both in cash and in shares, to take care of any unexpected large expenditure. In addition, putting up the annual subscription might be off putting to new members.
It was finally agreed that the annual subscription would remain unchanged, that the competition entry fee of £1.00 (with no further round by round payments) would remain unchanged, but that the game fee should be increased from 30p to 40p.

7. Election of Officers. 

All last year's officers were prepared to stand again. After some searching examination of their past performance, each was re-elected nem. con.

(At this point the proposition that the Club buys the next round was passed and the next round was duly purchased. Several members expressed appreciation of the fact the London Pride was once more available on draught. Members demonstrated their ability to sup, slurp and discuss business at the same time.)

8. Presentation of Trophies.  Since both the Page and The Handicap Competitions have not been completed due to the closure of the alley in the autumn, all presentations have been postponed. It is suggested that all trophies be presented at the same time in order to make a bit of an occasion of it.

9. AOB:  It was agreed that a letter of thanks be written to Mark Aylott for his support for the club during his managership of the Freemasons. The new manager should be introduced to the Club, the game and her honorary membership of the Club confirmed.

There being no other business, the members adjourned to the alley to celebrate the new/old pins with a game of Twenty Ones.

Thanks to Lionel Trippett for the minutes.