Present: Huw Davies (HD), Dave Dunford (DD), Shane Furness (SF), Phil Hopwood (PH), Tony Richardson (TR), Simon Waddington (SW), Ed Yardley (EY).

Apologies: Paul Coverley (PC), Bill Higginbottom (BH), Glenn Reynolds (GR), Ian Webster (IW), Lorna Young (LY).

Approved.

SF reported that he has recruited an additional two players (reducing the need to call on the 2nd XI) and that the 1st XI has had a good run of results, reaching 4th in the league. Morale is good, with a core of 15 or so players showing good commitment and SF hopes to push for honours next season.

In the absence of the Treasurer, EY presented a brief summary of the club's financial position. Income to date this season is £20,413, expenditure £24,505. The current overdraft is £4630 as at 23/08/11, with £700 worth of alcohol in stock, and £500 from Duck Race tickets (but lots still to sell) and £300 Pavilion Hire not yet banked.

With Paul Taylor's retirement*, HD and BH have been tasked with rethinking the club's approach to junior coaching. Huw and Bill propose to engage DCB Coaches for Thursday-night outdoor practices for 14 weeks in April-July and indoor practices for 12 weeks from January-March at Chapel-en-le-Frith Leisure Centre (both aimed at older juniors between 10 and 15/16). The cost of this coaching will be around £1200, plus venue hire for the winter sessions. Winter sessions will ideally take place on Tuesday nights to avoid clashing with New Mills FC practices and Champions League matches, etc. BH to book Chapel Leisure Centre a.s.a.p.

In addition, a new coach is to be sought for individual or small-group skills sessions for promising juniors of any age on Saturday mornings during the season, at the same time as the younger juniors (6-9) continue with their Saturday-morning practices as before. The need to practice all facets of the game was stressed, and it was suggested that badly co-ordinated net sessions are ineffective (especially as some juniors tend to disappear without bowling for others once they have batted in the nets).

SF proposes collaborating with other local clubs (including Compstall and Hawk Green) to share winter nets for seniors.

(*EY has written to Paul Taylor inviting him to attend the Comedy Night in November, at which he will be presented with Honorary Life Membership of the Club.)

SW has kindly agreed to co-ordinate this event, to be held this Bank Holiday Monday from 1pm. At least 8 (and possibly as many as 10) teams are likely to take part. The Duck Race has been postponed until the rearranged Open Day on 11th September.

SF is to provide two banners, as for the Ladies 6-a-side, which SW will install.

Although the Club has approximately £700-worth of drinks in stock, in view of the reasonable weather forecast, the number of teams taking part and the likely interest, it was decided to invest a further £200 on drinks to be sold on the day, although PH expressed concern about overstocking and storage. PH/EY/BH/Steve Famer to liaise over funding and purchase of additional supplies (plus serviettes, burger rolls and sauces).

Graham Clarke from the Kinder Lodge has agreed to provide and staff the barbecue; food supplies are in hand.

EY and SW to move the fridge into the kitchen on Saturday evening, switch it on and fill it with beer.

SW has arranged umpires, commentators and music. DD agreed to help with scoring. The whereabouts of the trophy is unknown (it was thought to have been last won by the Kinder Lodge or the Bulls Head); if SW cannot retrieve it he will purchase a replacement.

Raffle tickets have been printed and the winner will be announced at the Comedy Night on 11th November. The painting is currently on display in the Pavilion, and will also be exhibited at the Sheepdog Trials. Other suggested locations where it might be temporarily shown include the Royal, the antique shop and the Skillet. Tickets are priced at £10, which some felt to be excessive, but EY stressed that the painting was worth £1200. EY to produce colour flyers with an image of the painting to be distributed on demand and posted in local establishments, and to contact local press as necessary after the 6-a-side and Open Day. It was suggested that raffle tickets could be sold, perhaps at a reduced price, at the Comedy Night before the draw.

PH reported that he has booked the band Two Trick Pony, who performed at last year's event. The plastic ducks (borrowed from Old Glossop for the Duck Race that was to have been held on 17th July) have been returned and will need to be collected again.

TR and PH intend to remove the internal cladding of the roof to investigate continuing leaks. TR reported that the roof joists are in poor condition and require attention.

EY and BH will attend the League Meeting on 12th September, at which proposals to return to an U17 setup will be discussed.

The AGM will be held in February.

NEXT COMMITTEE MEETING: Thursday 15th September 2011.

MEETING CLOSED 9.20pm.

Dave Dunford, 24th August 2011