Wellington Cricket Club’s Annual General Meeting for 2016 was a slick affair on the evening of Tuesday 19^th January when the Club’s affairs, operational and financial performances and other strands that had made for the 2015 season were all brought together under one banner and provided the platform to work from for 2016.

Club Chairman Duncan Short oversaw proceedings in what will be his sixteenth season in the Chair as his service that began in 2001 continues; his Chairman’s Remarks were well represented in his ‘Four Ups’ strategy statement that, for example, asked all members to ‘pay up’ their subscriptions and fees on time and to ‘roll up’ to Club social events and when work needed to be performed around and at the Club’s facility.

Reviewing 2015 both Mr Short and Club Secretary David Derrick noted that the 1^st XI had achieved their aim of earning a place in the new West of England Premier League following its period of transition and restructure; a final position of fifth was commendable and, in effect, represented a promotion the meeting agreed.

2016’s season for the side represents nothing short of a challenge, but it is most worthwhile one and one that can bring rich rewards.

As a result of the WEPL changes and that the Somerset League has had to absorb into its structure a number of 1^st and 2^nd XI who were WEPL based up to and including 2015 has seen that the Club’s reserve side will play in the new Division Five, an assignment that offers a very good potential for success – had one more late season result gone in favour of the side in the old SCL Division Three then a new Division Four place would have been achieved, but new surroundings offer new options and these can be exploited in 2016.

The 3^rd XI are not affected by the previously mentioned changes and will continue to play in Division Eight South of the Somerset League for a third season running; finishing fifth was a commendable effort that was assisted in no small manner by a fine end of season run of results (only one loss in the last six games).

Sunday cricket continues to prove popular and brings together all kinds of Club member in one setting and a position of League runners up in Division A of the Taunton and District League was a good outcome; it is hoped that 2016 sees the side’s schedule not be so affected by other competitions as it was in 2015; that said all that was required to be played was…

Midweek cricket, mainly in the form of 20/20 evening matches with local sides, retains a pleasing popularity and again plenty of players wish to turn out for the side.

Junior cricket again flourished in 2015 with a runners up spot for the Under 11s, a top four finish and a KO Cup quarter final for the Under 13s and a mid-table closing spot for the Under 15s in collaboration with Bishops Hull CC.

Plans for 2016 are for the Under 13s squad to move to eleven a side cricket and for the Under 15s to be self-sufficient.

The Under 11 squad continue to be the best populated in the Club.

A fine year of social occasions was cited too with the Dinner and Awards Evening at Somerset CCC, two Past Players Association events, a second Ladies Day, Club Day and others getting mentioned; the effort put in to organise now needs to be matched in terms of attendances at these events and it is hoped that 2016 will be a fine year for the Club’s social portfolio.

At this point Club Treasurer Marc Holloway stated that an overall loss had been posted for 2015, but he was at ease with this based on a solid cash reserve, healthy balance sheet, assets and the potential for organic growth in 2016 and beyond.

Some specific financial decisions were then taken; membership subscriptions to be simplified and modestly increased, match fees to be rationalised and to be subject to a small rise in certain categories and to abolish the granting of honoraria for specific post holders and replace this with expenses to be claimed and paid when appropriate.

All these notions were passed without issue.

One last piece of membership based business was to make the first Life Membership appointments for some seven years as Simon Spalding and Simon Rudd were jointly proposed and duly accepted the offer; these well-deserved appointments were made in recognition of a lifetime’s service to the Club in many roles – both had been Club Captains for example – and it was pleasing to hear that both were to continue working for the Club in 2016.

Appointments of Club Officers for 2016 brought about the following output,

President and Financial Verification Officer – Roy Hutchings

Vice Presidents – Re-elected en bloc

Chairman – Duncan Short

Vice Chairman and Cricket Development Officer – Simon Spalding

Secretary and Club Welfare Officer – David Derrick

Treasurer – Marc Holloway

Fixture Secretary – Steve Symons

Bar and Clubhouse Manager – Amanda Moysey

Ground Control – Des Campbell and Mike Beal

Junior Section Secretary – Mark Salter

Membership Secretary – Kevin Crout

Special Projects Officer – Simon Rudd

Selection Adviser – Bernie Burnett

Sports Federation Representative – Ivor Mitchell

General Committee Members – Tony Rudd and Tony Hutchings

Once this matter had been completed it was time to elect the Team Officials for 2016

Club and 1^st XI Captain – Alex Sparks

1^st XI Vice-Captain – Luke Desave

2^nd XI Captain – Rob Moysey

2^nd XI Vice-Captain – Jake Nichol

3^rd XI Captain – Des Campbell

3^rd XI Vice-Captain – Richard Henwood

Sunday XI Captain – Arron Campbell

Sunday XI Vice-Captain – Jack Beal

Midweek XI Captain – Jack Beal

Midweek XI Vice-Captain – Macaulay Campbell

Under 11s Manager – Mark Salter

Under 13s Manager – Tony Hutchings

Under 15s Manager – Richard Short

Under 19s Manager – Des Campbell

Some items under the Any Other Business category were then worked through before the meeting was closed just before 9.00pm