April Committee Meeting

SIDLEY CRICKET CLUB
Minutes of the committee meeting held on Thursday April 12, 2007 at Sidley Sports & Social Club.

PRESENT: Ian Mollart (chairman), Mrs Jenny Mollart (treasurer), Trevor Ramsden (fixture secretary).
Committee members: Tony Galvin, Simon Newstead, Cavan O’Connor, Jamie Ramsden, Ross Settles.

1 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
These were received from Chris Milton (treasurer) and Andy Pearson (vice-chairman).

2 MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING ON MONDAY MARCH 5, 2007
A copy of the minutes from the committee meeting on the above date was circulated and signed by Mr Mollart.

3 CORRESPONDENCE
Mr Trevor Ramsden had received a letter inviting the club to participate in an England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) pitch assessment pilot scheme. He had discussed the matter with Roger Lee and Pete Palmer, of Sidley Sports Club, who urged involvement due to its fund-raising potential. Mr Milton had since replied to Peter Butter, of the Sussex Cricket League, accepting the offer.
It had been queried whether we should publish the minutes of committee meetings on the website. We decided that it was beneficial for members to see what had been discussed, but that more-confidential matters would not be included.
Mr Milton stated the previously discussed Cricket Telecom fund-raising initiative would not be viable, an opinion endorsed by those present.
Mr Ramsden had received a letter from Sussex County Cricket Club asking for a contribution towards Richard Montgomerie’s benefit year. It was decided not to participate.

4 FIXTURES
Mr Trevor Ramsden asked at the East Sussex Cricket League’s pre-season meeting if any clubs would be willing to contest a friendly against the first team on Saturday April 21. Blackboys agreed on the proviso that Sidley weren’t going to be too strong for them. Mr Ramsden was awaiting confirmation from Blackboys.
Mr Ramsden said that Hastings Wanderers have pulled out of a scheduled Sunday friendly as a result of being offered a trip to Lord’s on the same day.
Mr Ramsden confirmed that opposition was in place for all three matches during Cricket Week, the last of which will be against a Chairman’s XI.
Mr Mollart stated that the fixture cards should be complete within the next fortnight.

5 FINANCIAL MATTERS
5a Treasurer’s report
Mrs Mollart reported the account balance.
She added that four subscriptions had been paid already.
Mr Mollart had received a cheque for ball sponsorship from the Sidley Residents’ Association.
A £35 affiliation fee was due to be paid to the ECB by June and a cheque needed to be sent to the Sussex League for match balls.
Mr Mollart had begun work on a fund-raising initiative called 1-200 and some numbers had been sold.
Mr Ramsden said he would like to see three fund-raising quiz nights held throughout the year. Mr Mollart will take up the matter with Peter King and Chris Hunnisett.

6 SUSSEX LEAGUE/EAST SUSSEX LEAGUE
Mr Trevor Ramsden stated that permission must be sought from the East Sussex League if intending to field a player under the age of 11 in any of its matches.
He added that no players under the age of 18/19 will be permitted to bat without wearing a helmet in any East Sussex League games.
The East Sussex League had asked permission to promote successful teams by more than one division for one year only owing to the influx of sides from the now defunct Cuckmere Valley League.

7 THE GROUND
Mr Mollart thanked everybody who helped with preparation of the ground the previous Saturday.
He added that work on the practice net at the top of the ground was well under way and should be completed within the next few weeks.
The possibility of preparing a strip on the square for pre-season practice was debated at length. Mr Woodroffe was approached about the matter and he said that he and a few team-mates would be happy to pay a small fee for the use of Horntye Park Sports Complex in Hastings rather than inconveniencing the Sidley groundstaff.
It was decided to set up another work party at the ground at 9 for 9.30am on Saturday.

8 COLTS
Training is likely to take place on Tuesday evenings once the pre-season meeting is concluded.
Mr Ramsden said he would like to see Robin Cooper become manager of one of the teams.

9 ANY OTHER BUSINESS
Mr Trevor Ramsden stressed the need to ensure that sufficient equipment and umpires’ coats were in place. He also wanted an order placed for two sets of bails and another set of stumps.
Mr Ramsden raised the issue of young children or those below a certain height requiring booster seats if travelling to matches by car. Mr O’Connor said that parents should be able to provide these if necessary.
Mr Ramsden suggested charging a subscription for the older colts’ age groups. It was decided to impose a fee across all colts’ teams.
Mr Settles talked about selection policies and Mr Mollart said it will be tightened up this year.
Mr Settles also requested and was given clarification on the payment of subscriptions.
Mr Newstead described the latest situation on the order of shirts/caps and that delivery was expected any day. Mr Settles will seek an update on the situation with suppliers Super Stitch 86 on Friday April 13.
Mr Jamie Ramsden suggested a light-hearted fund-raising programme for Sunday matches and it was agreed to give it a try.

10 DATE OF NEXT MEETING
It was decided to put back the scheduled date of the next committee meeting by seven days to Monday May 14, 2007 due to the original date falling on a Bank Holiday. It was also agreed to switch committee meetings to the second Monday of every month.
The meeting closed at 9.16pm.