Minutes of the 6th AGM of the Suffolk Grounds Association

Held on 19th February 2014 at the premises of Tomlinson Groundcare Hall Road Buxhall.

Members present:-Ted Clarkson, David Oakes, Mike Pratt, Rob Jones, Adrian Gale, Gary Girling, Ivan Whitehart, Ross Stannard, Clive Witherly, David Monk, Tony Catley, Tim Jones, Gary Colman, Kester Clarke, Tim Parker, Chris Barber, Bobby Flack, Mark Flack, Andrew Gallant, Michael Rinaldi, Steven Firman, Graham Pryke, Andy Dodds BEM, Adrian Malcolm, Ken Lucas, Ray Gibbons, MartinTaylor, Rodger Chapman, Andy Burgess, Ian Flack, Barry Meadoure, Chris King, David Worne, Jon Watkins, Rick Jones, Stephen Perrin, Paul Arnold, Bill Arnold, Clive Nunn.

Meeting Started 7.35pm.

  1. Apologies: - Apologies were received from Mike Osbourne, Charles Revell, Richard Sparrow, Alan Barnes, Jason Boor, Andy Bendall, Liz Parker, Dennis Fisher, Bill Byford, Andy Hopkins, Stevie Warne, Paul Martin, Graham Masters, Jon Readman, Simon Edgar, Andy Holness.
  1. Minutes of the 5th AGM held on 20th February 2013:- The minutes of the 5th AGM were accepted and signed as a true and accurate record. Proposed- Andrew Gallant Seconded- Adrian Malcolm.
  1. Chairman’s report: -

The chairman welcomed the 40 or so people present. The number of clubs using the SGA trailer was once again up on the previous year and for the first time we decided to deliver our own Autumn/Winter training course,not that we wish to abandon the IOG but Andy Clark thought we were god enough to “go it alone” so thank you to our two pitch advisors for running the course and to Woolpit CC for hosting it. A Spring/Summer course is already booked and some 14 delegates have already registered to attend.

Thanks to all the committee for their hard work and it is with great sadness I report the death of an original committee member Rick Langford.

I would like also to thank Tomlinson Groundcare for hosting us again tonight and the ladies for providing us with supper. Their continued support and sponsorship of the SGA is much appreciated.

I would also like to congratulate Andy Dodds on receiving a BEM.

  1. Secretary’s report: - The secretary advised that the profile of the SGA has risen yet again over the last 12 months.

Committee meetings were held throughout the year and if anyone wishes to see the minutes etc they are available in hard copy or digital just email me and I will pass them on.

The committee took the decision to run their own in house training course as the feeling was the IOG course were now expensive especially as it was unsure how much subsidy the SGA would get from the SCB to reduce the cost to members. The first one was held at Woolpit CC on 5th October 2013 on Autumn Renovation and most who attended made favourable comments so it was decided to hold a Spring Preperation one on March 22nd 2014 so if you would like to attend please speak to me or one of the committee members. These are a more practical course with less time spent in the classroom.

The SGA are planning to hold a Workshop on Weeds/Pests and Diseases sometime in July more info would be available shortly.

Thanks to Adrian Malcolm the database was up to date but if any personal details change please could members let me know as soon as possible.

Also thanks to Rob Jones and Jo Turner at the SCB for all the help over the past year with administration of the courses etc.

  1. Treasurer’s report: - A copy of the accounts was circulated on the night. Mike thanked Tomlinsons for their continued sponsorship of £500. In 2013 the SGA had 44 members which was an increase of 12 from 2012. Income from trailer hire was up by £1,300. At the time of the AGM there was £886.56 in bank account and £1,851.71 in ISA account the SGA had assets of £1,335.12 which we all felt was very healthy. It was proposed that the accounts were adopted. Proposed- Gary Girling Seconded- Tony Catley.
  1. Election of Officers: - As no additional nominations had been received to become officers of the Association, it was proposed that all three present officers be re-elected on block. This was unanimously agreed by those present. Proposed- Tony Catley Seconded- Andrew Gallant.
  1. Election of Committee members: - It was proposed that all the present committee was to be re-elected on block as there were no other nominations received prior to the meeting. This was unanimously agreed by those present. Proposed- Tony Cately Seconded- Andrew Gallant.
  1. Annual affiliation fee: - It was proposed that the affiliation fee should remain at £10.00. As there were no other proposals this was unanimously agreed by those present. . Proposed- Tony Catley Seconded- Adrian Malcolm.
  1. County Pitch Advisor report: -Tim Parker gave a report to the meeting please see Appendix 1 attached to the end of these minutes.
  1. Suffolk Cricket Development report: - Rob Jones (Operations Manager SCB) gave a report to the meeting please see Appendix 2 attached to the end of minutes.
  1. Tomlinson Groundcare – Sponsors of the SGA: - Adrian Brown welcomed everyone to Buxhall and advised that Tomlinson Groundcare is happy to sponsor the SGA as he loves cricket. Also if any club has an equipment issue, he can be contact at Tomlinson’s because they may be able to offer a solution, possibly by hiring equipment.

The meeting closed at 8.06pm.

APPENDIX 1

SGA AGM Pitch Advisors Report 2014

The past year has been a busy and rewarding one for David Oakes and I. Good numbers attended the Part A IOG Foundation course last April at Copdock and the SGA Committee took the ground breaking decision to dispense with Part B and instead hold a less technical and more practical half day seminar at Woolpit with David and I as tutors. This proved to be a great success and much information on autumn renovation was imparted with lots of hands on demonstrations and lively question and answers during an excellent lunch. A repeat of this formula to cover spring maintenance and wicket preparation and marking will be at Woolpit Sunday 23rd March.

A record number of clubs made use of the County Trailer and the services of David and I last autumn and we continue to invest in better equipment. The amazingly wet but mild winter has resulted in excellent grass cover but large amounts of moss and worm activity. Also many squares are in desperate need of fertiliser to compensate for the almost unbroken growth period . With the lack of frost it could be a good spring for fungal disease and this will need careful monitoring. Through the SGA I’m personally delighted to be able to offer tractor mounted vertidraining as a new option for clubs. Over 30 clubs benefited this autumn. For many it was the first time cam- action spiking and a tractor had been on their squares and the results spoke for themselves and is now an absolute must for those who took the plunge.

Apart from the Spring Seminar various events are planned for this year. The effervescent Andy Clarke is booked for a Pest and Disease evening and all details will be sent to you shortly.

Tim Parker and David Oakes

Suffolk ECB County Pitch Advisors.

APPENDIX 2

Suffolk Cricket AGM report Feb 2014

  • Tom Huggins Level 4

I’m pleased to announce Tom Huggins has successfully completed his ECB Level 4. He now becomes one of an elite group of coaches nationally to achieve this standard.

  • Coach Education

ECB have launched their new coaching courses, emphasis is less on being able to demonstrate technical cricketing skills, and more on player centred coaching. They’ve been some teething problems however Jo has managed to ensure candidates don’t suffer too much.

  • England Ladies

Andrew Blanchard arranged another England ladies C2s ambassador visit just before Christmas, with Jenny Gunn visiting Hartismere and Holbrook High schools and also carrying out a girls coaching session at Bury St Edmunds CC.

  • Facilities

I’m pleased to announce that the new Bury St Edmunds facility has now opened. Whilst there are one or two bits of work to be completed it’s an impressive facility costing £2m+ with significant investment from the ECB. Suffolk Cricket now using it for a number of activities including Suffolk Young Cricketers and Coach Education

  • Chance to shine

Despite our primary school funding being cut, we’re working with nearly 60 primary schools in Suffolk this year. In addition also a number of secondary schools, where we’re linking their C2s into local cricket clubs or creating standalone clubs at the respective school. Part of this work involves tailoring the new ECB Cricket Activator courses where students carry out some volunteer work, to help local needs (eg Newmarket College and the Last Man Stands project on the Severals, Newmarket, where activators will help score and umpire LMS matches)

  • Coes

In conjunction with Coes we’ve organised another bat tester day. Any adult or junior wishing to try out some batsor other equipment please come along to Ipswich School on Sat March 1st anytime between 10:30am and 3:30pm. All equipment, clothing and footwear at the event will either be on sale or discounted by 15%. That’s my sales pitch for the night !

  • ECB

Following on from our Outcomes work started last year, which is fundamental to the funding we receive over next 3 years, we’ve been obtaining feedback from our Clubmark clubs. The Development Team have collated this data and will be setting up a Club seminar early May (probably at Bury) for all clubs , where we’ll be providing information, workshops and general advice on the support clubs have asked for. Our aim is to respond to what clubs are telling us they need help with (eg more volunteers, funding streams, facility advice etc)

  • Disability

Matt Abbott and Tom working with a couple of Adult Learning centres, and our aim is to offer players a link into local clubs as well as a pathway for school children with a disability, the chance to continue playing cricket once they leave school.