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AGM 2026
 
Hastings Bar Billiards AGM
 
Held at the Cutter 23rd September 8:00
 
Attendees
Roger Andrews, Andy Ellison, Sandy Harmer, Dave Pearce, Mick Osbourne, Ray Norton, Tom Pope,  Jez Horsler, Andy Horsler, Paul Wickens, Alex Reardon, Matt Jones and David Dow.
Apologies – Colin Southouse, Alec Pope, Sam Croxton, Phil Swan and Steve Astley.
 
Item 1
Last year’s minutes were accepted.
Item 2
Review of last year – we have had a successful year with the League, the Challis Trophy handicap, and the Rix cup events. We broke even on the year, with the successful returning competitions for Captains and Pairs. Sandy commented on the really great engagement across all of the teams. The open weekend including the 4-pin competition was really well attended, not so much the singles Sunday event, with the excellent support of the Jenny Lind who sponsored the room for 8 days plus the tables, which came in cheaper as Alec had to fetch them, rather than being delivered.
Item 3
Surplus, with the open weekend raffle, we managed to make a £200 surplus, and then it turned out that the table hire charge of £200 from pre covid times when Linda was landlady had not been paid.  Despite a debt that old being un-enforceable, the room agreed that morally, and in support of Bar Billiards in general, that we should pay that historic bill.
Item 4
No one volunteered to join the Board, so Colin and Sandy will continue in their current roles.
Item 5
No new rule changes were proposed.
Item 6
Next season, it has been proposed we start on Wednesday 7th October with a 10-week season which still allows for a bye week for any missing matches. Fixtures will be distributed, thanks to Roger, he will tweak then to avoid some of the repetitions that last year’s had. It will finish on 16th December. Late BP’s will still be recorded.
After the Xmas break the second half will be the Challis handicap – again 10 weeks, again with a bye week. That will be based on a home and away average from the first half. Starts on 6th Jan until 17th March.
That will be followed by the Rix cup, starting 31st March, which will be held on neutral tables, with no handicap. To be completed by 5th May.
Leagues and cup competitions were agreed unanimously.
We discussed that the player in the handicap with the disadvantage will continue to start, as the room felt that the handicap scores worked out well earlier this year. We might require some additional bye weeks if we have clashes with Wednesday football matches at the Cutter, but the teams would be encouraged not to slip too much, as it is best to wrap the season up to make it clear who were the winners etc. The question of the away tables for the Rix cup was discussed, especially as there may be a new landlord at the OKJ, but it was felt on balance that if players were in attendance this should keep the pub interested.
We discussed reducing the team member numbers to ensure that the matches take place, but we already have a 3 player minimum rule, so hopefully this should suffice. We also agreed to stick with the 5 separate frame match set-up.
We also discussed the “buy a ½ drink for the winner” tradition and decided that this should be optional, especially if it discourages new players.
We discussed getting more players involved, and Ray suggested we hold some beginner nights, but his first attempt at the Jenny was tricky owing to a clash with a band. He will try again, on a different night, but other teams might see what they can do.
We discussed the possibility of getting more pubs involved with league tables, but again the issue here is having the contacts and someone willing to lead in the pub to “encourage” the landlord. We discussed the upstairs at the Cinque ports, that Matt had asked about, and that we understand that the Duke of Wellington will re-open as a Brewing Brothers pub, but their main push is Pizza’s, so room might be tight despite the back room previously having a pool table. We need to keep our eyes open for any former hosting pubs to re-enter such as the Nags Head. Colin has purchased a narrow 4-pin style table which would be a great addition, if only we could find a host. Once that is installed somewhere we can work out how to fit it into the schedule.
As Colin was not in attendance, so he could not update us on the 4-pin league, but it was generally thought to oi be a great success, with the addition of the OKJ team.
Item 7
Competitions, this season we will add in another lower average’s competition, fixtures, eligibility and entries TBA. The fixtures will be played on non-league nights. Agreed unanimously.
Item 8
We all agreed that the Finals night and open competition, plus 4-pin were a great success, but Andy H suggested we needed to advertise the event more downstairs in the Jenny, and maybe other pubs too. Hopefully the Jenny will be just as supportive. Dates TBA. We will try to reach out to the local press and get their interest. They seem to prefer Snooker reports as they have pictures, so maybe that is an idea.
Item 9
Sandy handed over to Ray who outlined this year’s Annual 12-hour bar billiards marathon, which is being arranged with Jez. This is taking place from 12 midday on Monday 26th October in half term week. Proceeds towards McMillian and St Michaels Hospice. There will be a raffle, so prize donations are requested. Elaine has volunteered to run the raffle, and there will be table contributions and collection tins for team donations. Last year’s we raised an incredible £1,626 charity total. The 243,550 total score is unlikely to be improved upon, as the table is still not playing right since the open weekend levelling! There will be the trophy for the highest combined score on the day and in memory of my wife Tracy we will have a Marmite themed award, but we are working on what that will be awarded for. Ray will write a report to the local papers to gain some publicity, and prepare posters for the Jenny and other pubs, along with additional collection boxes. It was a fun day last year and all are welcome.
AOB
Sandy thanked Roger for his assistance on both the fixtures and moving the open day tables, along with the extra efforts of Alec Pope. Discussion followed on other potential host pubs, Nags Head, Horse and Groom, St Mary’s club and the new Snooker Hall in Debenhams were all mentioned.
Meeting closed at 8:45 with a re-iteration of the dates:-
3 pin League – 7th Oct to 16th Dec.
Chalis Handicap – 6th Jan to 17th Mar.
Rix Cup – 31st Mar to 5th May.
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