Site Map All England Bar Billiards Association

The meeting was opened by the President of the A.E.B.B.A Mr Eric Hill at 14.20 (2.20pm), who welcomed all those present to the meeting.

Mr Hill then handed over to the chairman Mr Dennis Atkins.

1 Roll Call and Apologies

7 counties were represented. There were no apologies received from the absent counties.

2 Minutes of the A.G.M. 2005 (already circulated)

These were read by Dave Alder and were accepted on a proposal by Phil Hawkins, and seconded by Charlie Gildersleeve


3 Matters Arising

Dave Barnes asked if the Bournemouth account was produced last in its semi-audit form as in previous years. As this was not done it was recommended by Dennis Atkins that the account for 2008 be produced in audit form and completed by April 2008.

4 Chairman’s Report

The chairman, Mr Dennis Atkins started by saying his report was more of a list of people to thank. Starting with Everyone for turning up, Dave Alder (Good Job Done-Setting of tables), selection committee (Good Job Done), Eric Hill ( Bournemouth), Mark Trafford (Accounts), Chris Saville (Good Work on Rules), Phil Hawkins(Setting Tables), Ron-Eileen Briton(Door), Brian Daniels-Tony Webster(Table Supply), Pete Farrelly(For his work on BBQ) Said information is greatly missed. Also thanked the sponsors for their support. He congratulated the England teams for the superb performances this year. Dennis went on to thank Nigel Senior for everything he has done during his three years as Tournament Director, at which point he handed over to Dave Alder who Presented Nigel with a Microphone Trophy.

5 Secretary’s Report

Dave started by stating that sitting in the hot seat after Dave Barnes was never going to be easy, he described his first year as a personal failure. Dave apologised to everyone for his lack of understanding the enormity of the position as secretary. He also apologised for not sending out proposal forms or dealing with the reformation of the rules. Dave thanked everyone for the advice and support throughout his first year, giving personal thanks to Dennis Atkins – Chris Saville – Nigel Senior – Phil Hawkins and Sam Alder for setting up tables. He thanked Ron and Eileen for their work on the door and raffles. Dave congratulated the England teams on their performance this year and to al competition winners. Dave gave thanks to Nigel Senior for his work as Tournament Director, adding that seeing things at first hand gave an insight to the amount of time and effort that goes into running our Tournaments, The work you see up front is only a small part of it, a lot of the work is done behind the scenes and never gets the credit it deserves.

6 Treasurers Report

The treasurer, Mark Trafford apologised to everyone for the unprepared accounts due to the lack of time given to prepare them, stating that Eric Hill had only handed the Bournemouth account to him last week, also that Dave Alder also only handed over Tournament Account at the Grand Prix one week earlier. At this point Keith MacDonald said that the end of year accounts usually completed after the mixed pairs and that the Grand Prix was added to the next years accounts. Mark said he would complete accounts and sent to everyone ASAP. Phil Hawkins asked Bournemouth was still making enough profit to benefit AEBBA.s future as was the case in the past, the profit being minimal in recent years suggested otherwise, Brian Daniels stated that it should make extra profits, it was recommended that this should be looked at for the season of 2009.There was no prize money handed out at the Grand Prix because Dave Alder was unaware of the fact. This will be dealt with accordingly ASAP. Dave Barnes asked if cost of Post Office Club is to remain at current cost. Dave Alder said as far as he knows there will be no increase.




7 Tournament Directors Report

The Tournament Director, Nigel Senior started his report by congratulating Keith Sheard and Ray Sturgess on a great final in Bournemouth, he congratulated county team winners, Oxford –Div 1, Surrey A – Div 2, Sussex B – Div 3, and Nigel praised Bucks for sending a makeshift team but was disappointed at Berkshire for pulling out of the Ladies team event. He congratulated Jean Brackenridge – Ladies Singles, but was again disappointed at the turn out from the ladies. On a more encouraging note there were 12 entries for the under 25s, Nigel thanked Dave Barnes and Jean Brackenridge for their help, He encouraged the use of web sights as a form of information to coincide with the information sent from the secretary, Nigel suggested that the Tournament calendar be discussed and reviewed and also suggested that the ladies represented at the Grand Prix should be reduced from 8 to 6.

8 Secretary’s Honorarium

As is customary at this stage, the Secretary was requested to leave the meeting, so those members present could discus the Honorarium to be awarded. It was decided to keep it at its current level of £500.
This was proposed by Kevin Tunstall, and seconded by Charlie Gildersleeve and accepted unanimously. After the vote, the Secretary was asked to rejoin the meeting, and was informed of the Honorarium, to which heartfelt thanks were given to the members by the Secretary.

9 Table Supplier

Brian Daniels said that bookings for 2008 were almost complete, he thanked Post Office Club, Dave and Sam Alder for looking after tables, Brian Said price of table hire will increase from £47.50 to £52.50
Brian wondered what had happened to the sets of balls after being replaced as the colour and condition of the balls had deteriorated, Brian said that use of a restorer would be better than using a cleaner, Chris Saville Suggested that perhaps the quality of the balls was in question as he only uses Aramith quality balls. Brian asked it tables will be stored again next year saying that if not then AEBBA will be charged per Tournament. He will this year charge £300 for the hire of the tables from September to December.




10 AEBBA Rules Update

The discussion on the rule changes was reduced dramatically when Chris Saville said he had not received the revision sent to him by Eric Hill, it was therefore agreed that an EGM be held at Bournemouth on Friday 7th March 2008. AEBBA Secretary to issue copies of rules for discussion to be send to all County Secretaries so as they can review them prior to the meeting.

11 Proposals

No proposals were received this year due to the proposal forms not being sent to county secretaries. Dave Alder apologised for this error.

12 Election of Officers

With the retirement of Nigel Senior, nominations were asked for with no one stepping forward, Dave Alder will direct the Tournaments this year. All other officers were elected en-bloc. Proposed by Kevin Tunstall Seconded by Sue Atkins
Therefore the elected Officers for the AEBBA for 2008 are as follows:-

Secretary David Alder
Treasurer Mark Trafford
Chairman Dennis Atkins

13 International Match Report

This report was given by the England Men’s Captain Kevin Tunstall and he started by praising the England teams for their victory in Jersey, especially with so much inexperience in the team, He told his team at the start of the contest that it was important to win one leg as results can sometimes be won or lost by a one leg margin. He was also pleased with the win over Guernsey, saying it was such a big win for England. Kevin said that more selectors were needed. With the ladies team being comfortable winners in their matches, Pauline Withey had nothing to add. The forthcoming match against Jersey will be held at the skyline hotel on Saturday 9th February. The England Teams to play the Channel Islands is in the selection report.




14 Selection Committee

All Committee members were re-elected en-bloc on a proposal by Brian Daniels and 2nd by Charlie Gildersleeve

15 British Isles Open Pairs Competition

This, as usual will be staged at Bournemouth over the week-end of 7th – 9th March 2008, at a cost per person of £99.50. Those interested are to contact the President Mr Eric Hill for details, and entry.

16 All England Competition Dates

The competitions that are overseen by the AEBBA are as follows

September 21st Division 1 / Division 2
September 28th Ladies / Men’s All England Individuals
October 5th Division 3 / Ladies Individuals
October 19th Team Championships / Special Ladies
October 26th Alternate Rules
November 23rd Mixed Pairs / Under 25 Individuals
November 30th Over 50s / Over 60s / Grand Prix
December 7th All England A.G.M.

17 Other Competition Dates

Dates given for the County Open Competitions are as follows:-

Oxford Open 16th February 2008
Mermaid (Hants) 13th April 2008
Sussex Open 8th June 2008
Kent Classic 13th July 2008
Bucks Open 10th August 2008
Berkshire Open 7th September 2008
World Championships 8th / 9th November 2008 (Jersey)

18 Any Other Business

Some counties had not yet paid their affiliation fees, Members were reminded that if county fees are not paid they can not enter competitions; Mark Trafford (Treasurer) will collect unpaid fees. Nigel Senior will continue to do rankings in the current format; anyone wishing to help can contact Nigel. Discussion on scoring games, it was suggested by Kevin Tunstall that the losing player should remain at the table to score the next game.

19 Close of Meeting

The meeting was closed by the Chairman Mr Dennis Atkins at 16.45 (4.45pm) and wished everybody a merry Christmas, and a safe journey home.