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Executive Summary – Federation AGM – Sat 14 Nov 2020
Via Zoom and You Tube

Whilst this is an Executive Summary, you can read the full Minutes at:
Special General Meeting Minutes
2020 AGM Minutes

Yet again our Federation rose to the challenge by holding the AGM as scheduled and with a very high attendance – twenty voting members accessed the Meeting via Zoom with another twenty members attending virtually via Youtube.  Despite the difficulties caused by the Coronavirus there was a lot of positive news from clubs, several kept their tournaments going, some increased their membership and good news of members winning national trophies and receiving awards.

Prior to the formal AGM there was a Special General Meeting to discuss changes to the Federation Constitution (parts 3.1 and 3.2).  This resulted in the Term of Office for the Chairman being extended from three consecutive years to five (dependent on annual re-election) and also a modernisation of gender wording.  Both proposals were passed nem com.

Chairman Paul Rigge welcomed everyone to the AGM and reported on a difficult year but was delighted all five Federation Millenium Tournaments were contested and in the light of this experience hoped ways could be found, if the Covid restrictions continue, of hosting more events next year.  League Manager Ivan Wheatley reported that despite the League being cancelled this year, he was planning a full programme for 2021 and clubs were requested to ensure team entries were submitted by 31 December.  Coaching Officer Paul Rigge organised two coaching sessions in January and February before Covid restrictions ended all further plans for the season.

Sarah Andrew, Development Officer, is encouraging clubs to apply for CA financial awards (Townsend, Apps Healey, Millenium), several clubs have gained these awards in recent years to help with their development costs – the closing date is 31st December.  The CA shop is also promotong a nice line in Face Masks, suitably emblazoned with the CA Logo – ideal stocking fillers for Xmas!

Don Williamson, Federation Handicapper updated the meeting on the development of combining Short AC and Full AC Handicaps.  After many meetings it has been decided not to pursue any changes to the current system.  Tony Thomas , Website Manager, reported several pages have been redesigned to make the website more user friendly for mobile devices.  John Dawson, CA Council Member, thanked Jean Hargreaves for her work at national level on Safeguarding – this is a complex and important topic, especially with more younger players entering the sport – it will be important that Clubs buy into the CA policy.

Ivan Wheatley, League Manager, explained the rationale for some minor changes to our League Rules making them more compatible with Tournament Regulations and will be presenting a draft 2021 League Rules for the Spring Meeting.  Ivan is also planning to manage the North West Festival (26/27 June 2021, covid restrictions allowing) and a working party will be set up to oversee the event.

The CA have changed their definition of Club Affiliate membership and this is not in accord with our Federation philosophy.  We need to redefine the role of affiliate clubs e.g. can play in Millenium competitions and Festivals but not the Leagues.  This will be discussed further at the Spring Meetyng and may need a change to our Constitution.

Most clubs were able to play this year albeit with Covid restrictions in place, many developed Lawn Booking systems successfully.  Bowdon had players in three national finals and several junior players in the CA national programme.  They also featured in a TV programme about playing Croquet in ‘lockdown’.  Bury played mainly at Coronation Park and gained much publicity when 14 year old Jack Good won two internal tournaments.  Chester hosted a successful evening for hospital staff.  Crake opened their new Clubhouse, held two Millenium Tournaments, a national C level GC qualifier, their normal open tournaments and had players in three national finals.

Criccieth hired portable toilets to overcome restricted access to their pavilion.  Culcheth had increased access to their shared lawns since other Sports Club Sections reduced their activities and this may have consequences for the future viability of the Sports Club.  Fylde ran a complete programme of internal competitions and were visited by Westmorland for friendly matches.  Llanfairfechan had a huge increase in membership as the health benefits of Croquet were promoted during lockdown.  Pendle completed all internal competitions, hosted five weekend tournaments in a safe environment and attracted new members.

Southport started the season late and lawns were fairly well used.  Highlight was hosting two national tournaments – Treasurers Tankard and Ascot Cup Final.  The club has purchased 200m of plastic piping which has been successfully used as ball guards.  Tattenhall have increased their membership and had a good season.  Westmorland attracted ten new members despite a reduced season.

The Meeting congratulated Howard Bowron (Penrith) and Don Williamson (Southport) for being awarded CA Diplomas recently.  All Officers were re-elected and Robert Essler was appointed as the new Independent Examiner.

The meeting ran very efficiently, excellently chaired by Riggey and well organised with expertise from David Walters and Liz Wilson.  We also acknowledge the great support of Eugene Change on behalf of the CA.

The next meeting will be the Spring Club meeting on 6^th March 2021.  This AGM closed at 12 noon.

Executive Summary of the Federation AGM – 16th November 2019

Federation Chairman Paul Rigge welcomed over 30 members (representing about 10 clubs) to the March Federation AGM at Culcheth on Saturday 16th November 2019. Before the formal Agenda commenced, Paul led a tribute to former Culcheth member and Federation Treasurer, Bob Connop, who passed away last season. Paul also highlighted a forthcoming attraction at Bowdon on 23/24 November where the international squad of GC players will be in action.

In the Chairmans Report, Paul Rigge reminded members of the new CA management structure, thanked Colin Irwin for his many years of CA service. The CA have also announced National Croquet Day for 2020 will become National Croquet Week (11-17 May). A new version of the AC Rulebook is under discussion and your committee have been active with their suggestions. Secretary David Walters highlighted various decisions needed during the year – purchase of shield for new LPG Festival event, funding of “Event Style Toilet Units” for Festival, (requested not to use the term “portaloos” on website!). Your committee have responded to a national review of the Inter Club Short AC competition, the final in 2020 to be played at Bowdon. Treasurer Liz Wilson presented a very healthy set of Accounts for 2019 showing an increase in the bank balance compared to 2018. Subscriptions for 23020 will remain unchanged.

CA Representative, John Dawson updated the meeting on the new CA management structure and informed clubs new club survey to assist future planning. His involvement in the BBC Countryfile Live was again a successful marketing activity. Development Officer, Sarah Andrew informed the meeting of successful award to Tattenhall (Townsend Award) for exceptional progress in Lawn Development, whilst Crake have received CA Grant funding for their new Clubhouse and Craig-y-Don have also applied for development funding. The CA can help club with hire of Laser measuring equipment and provide computer software to analyse the data too identify ‘bumps and hollows’ in the lawn surface. Safeguarding Officer, Jean Hargreaves reminded members of new documentation (on the website) clarifying club safeguarding procedures.

League Manager, Ivan Wheatley reported on a very busy season involving 48 teams, the new B League worked well and all league titles were decided on the lawns with some being decided by very close margins. He reminded team captains that dates of fixtures could be changed provided both captains agreed but captains are also allowed to refuse requests. In response to questions, it was clarified the sequence of games in a LPG league match could be changed (provided both captains agree) but the scoresheet submitted must reflect the actual sequence used. There was a discussion about procedures when a player cannot complete a game during a match, the proposed change to League Rules was accepted sympathetically but the wording will be clarified in the Rules for the next meeting.

The Flying Circus Coaching events continued in 2019 with courses at Keswick, Pendle and Fylde. A Course for new Club Coaches has been launched very successfully, being oversubscribed, so far seven members have achieved Club Coach status.

Ivan Wheatley, Festival Manager, reported on another successful North West Festival, the new LPG event was deemed worthwhile, however, the experimental ‘triple banking’ will probably not be repeated. Pendle and Craven were the overall winners.

Club Reports for 2019:

Bowdon: Won two national inter-club competitions – Mary Rose and Short Croquet. Recruitment focussed on Taster Days followed by one day Beginners Courses, attendees were provided with temporary membership, resulting in 13 new members .
Bury: Have had record year in recruiting 15 new members, National Croquet Day was used as the main ‘taster’ activity. An additional two teams were entered in the Federation Leagues and Lawns have improved dramatically.
Chester: Have won three league trophies this year and reached a Final Secretary Shield) and Semi final (Longman) in national inter-club competitions. Several members have won regional and national competitions.
Crake: The old clubhouse has been demolished and a new building should be in use for the start of 2020 season. Hopefully two new lawns should also be available next year.
Craig-y-Don: Had an excellent season, entering Festival for the first time, increased membership, installed a lawn irrigation system, and are planning a new Equipment Store. Been very active in Community work raising over £1500 for a local Hospice. Have won various competitions involving other north Wales clubs.
Culcheth: Membership has increased, however there have been difficulties in fulfilling league matches due to member illnesses. Continue to run avery active social programme.
Fylde: Have increased membership by 14 and a new lawn drainage system installed. Three members have been awarded Club Coaches badges.
Llanfairfechan: Membership increased to 56 and the club maintains a full programme all year round. Plan to enter extra League teams in 2020 and the club continue to improve the lawn facilities via grants from local industry and government.
Pendle: Won the Federation Festival anb hosted three national tournaments in 2019. The lawns have received extensive work in a programme of improvements. A new Equipment Shed has been installed and new Spectator Pavilion planned. A new Car Park has been developed at the northern end of the lawns.
Southport: Held a successful ‘Come & Try’ event followed by two successful Beginners Courses generating 17 new members. Despite heavy rainfall, the lawns have been maintained in excellent condition.
Tattenhall: Had a successful season and been awarded the CA Townsend Award for great improvement in club facilities. Have been very active with corporate events.
Westmorland: Have increased membership in 2019 and undertaken major work on the lawns.

Presentations:

CA Townsend Award was presented to Sheila Marsden and David Boyd of Tattenhall.
CA Diplomas were awarded to Jean Hargreaves and Tony Thomas.
League Trophies were presented to Chester (B Adv collected by Gerry Guest); Chester (w/e Hcp AC collected by David Boyd); Pendle (m/w Hcp AC); Bury Crusaders (Short AC collected by Vi Richards); Chester Centurions (Level GC collected by Alan Clare); Crake Valley (Hcp GC collected by David Corns).

Future Meetings: Spring Meeting – 7th March 2020; Autumn AGM – 14th November 2020

(The above Executive Summary is a personal view written by Tony Thomas, please see the official Minutes when issued for the definitive version).

You can read the full Draft AGM Minutes here.