Wellington CC Annual General Meeting 2019 – Formal Press Report
Wellington Cricket Club’s AGM for 2019 was a effective and well managed affair that took place on the evening of Tuesday 22nd January at the Club’s own social facility, The Long Hop Bar…
In just over an hour the 2018 season had been reviewed and the required plans for 2019 were put in place by making the appointments and elections required to provide the operational basis for the coming year.
Club Chairman Mark Salter welcomed some thirty two persons to the meeting and he thanked them for braving a cold and sleety evening to consider the Club’s business.
His review of 2018 started with the 1st XI’s re-elevation to the West of England Premier League’s Somerset Division after a season in the Somerset League’s Premier Division where a third place finish and WEPL’s requirements had seen the playing level that the team had achieved between 2012 and 2017 reprised; he offered warm congratulations to Club and 1st XI Captain Arron Campbell for his work both on, off the field and as a player in this success.
The 2nd XI had had a difficult season and had been relegated to Division Five of the Somerset League; skipper Rob Moysey was thanked for his sterling efforts in respect of the team at what had been some tough times and perhaps a less committed Club member would have not seen matters through.
The 3rd XI had achieved a very creditable mid-table finish in Division Seven South of the Somerset League and once more Des Campbell had led well and had seen his side be a breeding ground for the players of the future.
The Sunday XI had won the Taunton and District Sunday League title for the third occasion to become that competition’s most successful ever team with this, a third success and skipper Macaulay Campbell was thanked for all his efforts.
Midweek XI cricket had been T20 evening affairs with local sides in nature and outgoing team skipper Jack Beal was thanked for having provided two seasons of enjoyable and social matches in his time in the post.
The Junior section had enjoyed success with the Under 11s winning the Taunton and District Youth League’s Western Division for that age group; the Under 13s had achieved a top four placing in the same league’s Western section for that age group and the Under 15s had played with a smile on their face despite winning only once.
Off the field the Club once more expended much energy to offer its social facilities to members and outside organisations too and the efforts of Amanda Moysey, Ali Campbell, Sharon Frost and the Ladies Team were warmly noted and thanked for; seeing even more take advantage of what is on offer at all times at WCC was a main driver for 2019 it was said.
The efforts of Groundsman Des Campbell and his brother Andy, appointed as Assistant Groundsman at the meeting, had been supreme as they catered for all games, types and lengths through the course of a year that saw extremes of weather from heavy snow in March, flooding in April and then extreme heat all through May, June and July; they had deservedly jointly won the Clubman of the Year Award at September’s Dinner and Awards Event.
Other areas of Club life were touched on such as eighty young people having attended the opening session of a tenth successive winter coaching programme for those aged up to 15 the previous Friday evening at Court Fields School, a successful Club Mark re-accreditation process in conjunction with Somerset Cricket Board, the good relationship with the Club and its Past Players Association who had once more made a generous cash donation to support the Club in its operational aims and the formal setting up of a Ladies Section which was set to further prosper in 2019.
Club Administrator David Derrick had circulated his comprehensive annual report prior to the meeting; his main point was that he was looking to offload the role of Fixture Secretary at the next AGM.
Club Treasurer Marc Holloway reported a pleasing set of financial figures and noted how these had been achieved; taking advantage of the social opportunities on offer was echoed in his report to the meeting.
Once more a sample of the Club’s financial records and papers had been subject to a verification and Club President Duncan Short, who carries out this activity, had reported himself satisfied with what he had reviewed in this respect; he was also thanked for his work in obtaining, retaining and procuring sponsorship opportunities on behalf of the Club as was Tony Hutchings who had done and is doing similar work for the Club’s Youth Section.
Match fees will be raised by £1 per head on Saturdays only for all who play in such games; this was agreed by the meeting.
Election of Club Officers for 2019 gave the following results,
President and Financial Verification Officer – Duncan Short
Immediate Past President – Roy Hutchings
Chairman – Mark Salter
Vice Chairman – Simon Spalding
Administrator – David Derrick
Club Welfare Officer – David Derrick
Membership Secretary – Trevor Brooks
Head Groundsman – Des Campbell
Assistant Groundsman – Andy Campbell
Bar and Clubhouse Manager – Amanda Moysey
Head of Youth Cricket – Tony Hutchings
General Committee Members – Ali Campbell, Ivor Mitchell and Connor Wickenden
Election of Team Officials for 2019 gave the following results,
Club and 1st XI Captain – Arron Campbell
1st XI Vice-Captain – Luke Desave
2nd XI Captain – Rob Moysey
2nd XI Vice-Captain – Ryan Adams
3rd XI Captain – Des Campbell
3rd XI Vice-Captain – Richard Henwood
Sunday XI Captain – Macaulay Campbell
Sunday XI Vice-Captain – Oli Beale
Midweek XI Captain – Oli Beale
Midweek XI Vice-Captain – Tyler Fyfe
It was confirmed that competitions would be on a multi platform basis with league and cup competitions all been entered at both senior and junior levels; with the 1st XI’s return to WEPL it was good to be able to enter the National Club T20 competition and the Somerset Cricket Board’s Major Cup once more.