Welcome to Wanstead Vets

The President opened the meeting with a mention of the 3 members we have lost in year – Peter Micholotti, Danny Haigh and Eric Weldon and asked for a toast to “Absent Friends”.

1. Apologies for Absence – Brian Atherfold, Andy Marsh, Pat McSweeney., Russ Dunlop, Dave Butler and Bob Perkins

2. The Minutes of the previous meeting (16 December 2022) were taken as read and approved as a true and accurate record.

3. No matters arising.

4. The Secretary’s report was read by Derek Stew in the unforeseen absence of the Secretary.

2023 has been a challenging year for the section in many ways. 

Our playing record in matches was patchy. Once again we played just 14 matches with 4 wins, 2 halves and 8 defeats. Kofi captained us in 10 matches with Bob Rutter standing in for him on 4 occasions. My thanks goes to the 36 members who represented us in the matches as well as those who partnered the captain and collected the money and of course to Pete and Andy for their administrative efforts. Four members made their debut. Mark Boyd, Brian Elvy, Tom Reidy and Bob Wilson. Bob Rutter and Joe Few made themselves available most times with 13 each. 

Our competitions ran successfully with the new charity bowls being well supported and raising over £200 for Cancer Research and The Vets Captains charity. The knockout competitions were completed in a timely fashion with minimum input from me so my thanks to everyone who got their matches completed but the deadlines.

Although we only had 14 matches, contrary to 2022, we were only fully subscribed one one of those matches these three days prior to the match was played. This meant that I had to chase, persuade, cajole and pressgang members into playing in matches on almost every occasion. Something I don’t want to repeat in 2024.  

Whilst numbers were a bit down we were able to host two successful candlelit suppers again this year. My thanks to Andy and his associates for their efforts in organising and for all of the members and guests who went along.

The changing horizon led me to sending a survey to members in an attempt to plan a course of action for next year.

I will now share those results with you.

• The survey was sent to 66 members with 38 responding of which all signalled their intention to play vets golf next year but only two thirds were likely to play in matches or competitions.
• Almost all respondents felt we had the right number of competitors and didn’t want to see any changes. Only ⅓ wanted the Bill Stirling to be changed to a summer event.
• ¼ of respondents felt that match days were too long.
• Less than half of respondents felt that there would be a benefit to moving to a later start time. 
• 90% of respondents wanted to continue with after match hospitality with the majority supporting the move to sandwiches and chips after the match rather than a sit down.
• Vast majority of respondents were happy with the current selection policy for teams and that 16 a side continues to be more preferable to 12 a side.
• Less than half of respondents wished to attend 2 candlelit suppers per year with ⅓ never having attended and unlikely to do so.
• 100% of respondents embraced the website and would continue to use it.
• There were a variety of comments some of which were:
  • I would like it if one of the vets roll-ups was later in the morning/afternoon in summer.
  • As I am involved in lots of other things and play at weekends I find it difficult to commit to many of the Vets events.
  • 8 valid cards in past 12 months to be able to win a Vets Board Competition. Only one handicap division in Vets Board Competitiowns.
  • The option for red or white shirts for matches. Handicaps when representing Vets as opposed to representing Club.
  • Try & get more of the over 55’s in the club interested in playing with the vets
  • At the moment I am happy with balance between competitive and social .If we were to lose the matches maybe another chomp or two to compensate.
  • I would probably try to play some Vets matches if we started a bit later in the morning say 10:30/11:00
  • Internal comps could start later in the morning
  • The Vets section, in my experience, provides an enjoyable social milieu particularly for all those who take active part it’s activities.
  • I’ve felt really welcomed since I joined 3 years ago. I think the organisation is very well structured. I think it would be a shame to lose the matches.

Unbelievably the web site now receives over 40,000 hits every year (110 per day) and is in its ninth year of use. It seems incongruous then that people still leave it until they get a reminder before signing up! I would urge everyone to sign up to matches and competitions as early as possible.

The working party continues to do sterling work throughout the winter months. A huge vote of thanks to all vets who give up their Monday’s for the clubs benefit.

Sadly I have to report that we lost Eric Holt, Danny High and most recently our past president Peter Michelotti during this year. Can I ask our president to say a few words.

Trophy winners for the past year were as follows:-

2023

Doughty Putter  -  Paul Siggins

Roberts Quaich  -  Gareth Jones

King Shield   -  Ed Flack

Presidents Cup   -  Gareth Jones

Pajwani Trophy   -  Joe Few

Mixed Greensomes   -  Joe Few & Madeleine Griffith

“Tail-end-Charlie” Eclectic  -  Kofi Agbolegbe

Alex Laing Greensomes   -  Ed Flack & Andy Marsh

Alex Wilkinson  -  Joe Few

Bill Stirling Trophy   -  John Yeo & Bambos Panayis

Effor Foursomes  -  Bob Rutter & Brian Elvy

Geoff Cole Memorial Cup -  Bob Rutter, Gareth Jones, David Hamilton

Stan Suggate Trophy  -  Gareth Jones

Charity Bowls   -     

Vet of the Year  - Andy Marsh

5. Peter Hamilton presented the Statement of Account for the year, indicating that the Section had sufficient funds, the annual subscription was to remain unchanged (and now due). There were no questions raised by attendees. Bob Feeney proposed acceptance which was approved by acclamation.

6. Social Secretary’s report was given by Bob Rutter as Andy Marsh was unable to attend.

7. Bob Rutter’s appointment as Captain was enthusiastically received; Past Captain’s Report had already been circulated to membership. Bob announced that Andy Marsh has accepted his invitation to be his Vice Captain. His charity for the year will be in support of next year’s Club Captain – one of our own - Baldev Sehmbi. Captain announced that Andy Marsh was Vet of the Year for 2023.

8. There were no volunteers for the three Committee roles (Secretary, Treasurer and Social Secretary) and the existing holders of the posts were re-appointed by acclamation with a heartfelt vote of thanks for their efficiency in their roles throughout the year.

9. The proposal for a latter start time (9.00 am) for rollups was discussed and it was agreed that before any alteration was put in place, the Office would be consulted to see if there was any possible infringement on existing other groups within the Club.

10. The membership were reminded of the need to comply with the Club rules as to active handicaps (8 cards in year) to be eligible for the Vets Board competitions.

11. The President was thanked for providing the wine at the table. Baldev invited and requested support at his drive in - Sunday 21st January 2024.

12.  Bob Rutter closed the meeting