Welcome to Wanstead Vets

MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF WANSTEAD VETERANS SECTION HELD IN THE CLUBHOUSE ON FRIDAY 17th DECEMBER 2021 .

1.    Attendees: Bob Skidmore (Captain),Steve Woodward,  Mel Gooch, Bob Perkins , Derek Stew, Gareth Jones, Joe Few, John Yeo, Alan Hart, Baldev Sehmbi, Kofi Agbolegbe, Tony Devaney, Giles Brown, Mike King, Russ Dunlop,  David Riddle, Paul Siggins,  John Rouse, Terry McDowell (President),  Peter Hamilton (Treasurer), David Hamilton, Bob Feeney,  Alan Walters, Martin Roffe, Gerry Caley (Deputy Treasurer), Eileen Devaney, Hazel Smith

2.        Apologies received from following: Ed Flack, Brian Atherfold, Bob Rutter, Ken Winberg, Alan Goodman, Martin Grimshaw, Brain Elvy, Andy Marsh, Tony Bergin-McCarthy and Robert Wilson.

3.        Minutes of the AGM meeting of 13th December 2019 have been posted on Vets web-site. Derek Stew proposed that they be taken as read / seconded by Bob Feeney. Passed by acclamation.
 

4.    There were no matters arising.    

5.    SECRETARIES REPORT 2021
     Firstly, please accept my apologies for not delivering this report to you in person but I am currently at my sons wedding so I hope that you accept my excuse! Many thanks to Alan for agreeing to read it out for me.

This report is the culmination of two years of Vets activity, or perhaps inactivity, which has been interrupted by the Covid pandemic which started at the beginning of the 2020 season. No inter club golf was possible in 2020 and this year matches were disrupted in the early part of the season. These finally got underway in mid June. However we were able to play nearly all of our competitions during this time which were initially shoe-horned into the end of the 2020 season. This year has been normal and all of our competitions have been played during the normal playing season with a minimum of rescheduling necessary.

Although we only played 11 matches this year under Bob’s captaincy we won 6, halved 1 and lost just 4. 36 players represented our club in those matches, with Gareth Jones the only Vet to make himself available for all matches. 5 more were available for 8 or more. Generally, raising teams was OK but people tended to wait longer before committing themselves to play. Largely I believe that this is as a result of the website sign up. Members do tend to wait until my reminder email a week or so before a match is scheduled. As always my sincere thanks to all those that did play especially those that filled in at the last minute. We had three members making their match debuts this year namely: Joe Few, Stuart Phillips and John Yeo. 

Looking forward, I think that it is fair to say that Vets golf will continue to change. Our position inside the new ULEZ boundary means that two clubs have removed us from their fixture lists, whilst others are generally struggling for numbers. Rising catering costs mean that we have significantly reduced the number of sit downs after competitions in an attempt to encourage as many members to play as possible. I believe we need to discuss as a group the direction we want to follow with regard to post match catering and this is indeed a point I have raised for your consideration later in the meeting.

At our peek we were playing some 26 matches a year. I felt, like many other members that this was too much organised golf especially after we had added our internal competitions. Next year our scheduled matches are reduced to 18. We have lost fixtures against Canons Brook, Romford, Warley Park and Stapleford Abbotts. Given that many of our ‘regulars’ are available for fewer matches I think that this is actually a positive move and I am now confident that we will continue to field full sides, something that I would not have been so sure of had we still had 26 fixtures. However should members feel that they would like the number of matches to increase again then I will do my best to find alternative fixtures. I would be interested to have your comments.

Thank you to all members for embracing the new technology. I appreciate not everyone has found it easy or straightforward. Please continue to check the website frequently, especially during the playing season as it is continually updated and where possible sign up to events early - that makes my life so much easier.

b)  Covid meant that social events have been scuppered for the past two years. With a new social secretary about to be announced I hope that you will get behind him and support our section throughout the coming year by attending suppers and quiz nights which we hope to recommence in 2022.

c)  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.

d)  Sadly I have to report that we lost two more friends this year in Alan Brown and Frank Davis. I would like to propose a toast to absent friends.

e) Trophy winners for the past 2 years were as follows:-

2020

Doughty Putter  - Peter Hamilton

Roberts Quaich  - Russ Dunlop

King Shield   - Bob Perkins

Presidents Cup   - Russ Dunlop

Pajwani Trophy   - Bob Skidmore

Mixed Greensomes   - Not played 

“Tail-end-Charlie” Eclectic  - Not played

Alex Laing Greensomes   - Russ Dunlop & Bob Rutter

Alex Wilkinson  - Not Played

Bill Stirling Trophy   - Not played

Effor Foursomes  - Steve Woodward & Dave Butler

Geoff Cole Memorial Cup - John Yeo, Mike King & Gerry Caley

Stan Suggate Trophy  - Russ Dunlop  

Vet of the Year  - Not awarded

2021

Doughty Putter  - Gareth Jones

Roberts Quaich  - Bob Rutter

King Shield   - John Yeo

Presidents Cup   - Bambos Panayis

Pajwani Trophy   - Gareth Jones

Mixed Greensomes   - Derek Stew & Andi Brown

“Tail-end-Charlie” Eclectic  - Alan Walters

Alex Laing Greensomes   - Andy Marsh & Bob Rutter

Alex Wilkinson  - Not Played

Bill Stirling Trophy   - Not played

Effor Foursomes  - Steve Woodward & Dave Butler

Geoff Cole Memorial Cup - Bob Perkins, Bob Haswell & Dave Butler

Stan Suggate Trophy  - Bob Feeney  

Vet of the Year  - Bob Feeney

6. Treasurer’s Report
   This had been previously circulated to the membership, The Treasurer highlighted the more important aspects and recommended that subscriptions remained unchanged for the upcoming year,
The Accounts were accepted by acclamation, Proposed by Derek Stew / seconded by Bob Feeney.

7.      Captain’s Report
       The Captain thanked all those members who had given him great support and assistance throughout his tenure. The announcement of the Vet of the Year as Bob Feeney was warmly greeted.
 

8 Appointment of Officers 

         The standing officials had indicated continuance in office and were approved by acclamation, Andy Marsh was voted in as Social Secretary.
The officials received a vote of thanks for their sterling efforts, 

9. Appointment of Captain & Vice Captain 

         The President announced the appointment of Paul Siggins as Captain and he took over control of the meeting going forward, The Captain announced that Kofi Agbolegbe was to be his Vice Captain. 

9. Proposals for Discussion 

Two proposals had been submitted for discussion 

i).   That we canvass opinion of other clubs to change our traditional 2 course sit down lunch after matches to sandwiches. In absence of the Secretary, DS presented the proposal advising that the caterers had indicated that they would be wanting to increase charges ( possibly to £20 per head). 

A general discussion took place with several members expressing their views, The consensus was that matches were taking too long to complete; regularly not finishing till 3.00 pm and a solution is required
The food standard was disappointing and not good value for money, This was to be taken forward with caterers / Management Board at a future time. The proposal was carried. 

ii). We continue with 18 matches per season going forward The Proposal was carried. 

There being no other business the Captain closed the meeting at 2.30 pm and the attendees adjourned to the bar.