Date: Monday 10 August 2009 Place: Seedfield Methodist Church Hall

Present: Ken Crimes, Keith Warrington, Keith Butler, Graham Jeffries, Rodney Hall, Simon King, Graham Wardle Ian McKenzie, Edward Freeman, Bob Goodman (President)
Apologies: Steve Hathaway, Mandy Winskill, Andrew Webster,

1 Handbook adverts

KC had contacted previous advertisers and all but one have placed an advert again this season. GW has details so he can invoice them all.
Action: GW to invoice advertisers

2 Formation of the divisions

There are now twelve teams in each division.

3 Cup Competitions

There were discussions about how the new handicapping systems will work and under what circumstances players may become cup-tied. Details will be on the website. The rule on cup-tied players may have to be relaxed in later rounds if circumstances make it appropriate.. It was agreed that SK had done an excellent job in getting the new arrangements in place.

4 Additional cup competition

SK proposed that competition be held for those teams eliminated in the first round of the Dwyer Cup. This was approved unanimously. The suggested name is The Sponsor’s Cup.

5 Closed Championships

The Castle Leisure Centre has been booked at a price of £61 per hour. There is a question as to whether charging an entrance fee for each competition in the Championships conflicts with League rules. This is arguable but given the costs of the arrangements this season it was agreed to proceed with individual charges. GW proposed reclassifying in the accounts £1 per person from the registration fees to the Championships to reflect the changes made in 2002/3. There was a mixture of views on this suggestion and no decision was made. SK has agreed to hire tables, surrounds and refereeing equipment from Jarvis for £525. After a discussion on what should be awarded to the winners of the various competitions it appeared that some kind of medal was the preferred option.
Action: SK to review the options

It was agreed to continue with two Veterans’ competitions with players being allowed to enter only one of them. The dates for eligibility would be 1 March 1970 and 1950.

6 Finals Night

A provisional booking at Elton Vale has been made at a cost of £25. The question of improved lighting at the venue has not yet been resolved. The club had already plan to carry out some upgrading so RH will discuss with them the specific requirements for table-tennis. The new competition arrangements mean that there are potentially more finals to be played than can be fitted into one evening. This was left as an open item – it may be that some finalists may prefer not to play on Finals Night in any case. A decision will be made nearer the time.

7 Finance

GW has now received all the papers from his predecessor and will prepare the 2008/9 accounts for auditing. GW agreed to contact the sponsors about payment of the sponsorship fee.

8 Website

KB will make the necessary changes to switch over completely to the new site as soon as he has confirmation from KW that he has tested the uploads.
KW to test the site and KB to switch over

9 Next meeting

Monday 26 October or Monday 2 November, at 7.30pm at Seedfield.
KC/KB to advise