Hastings & Bexhill Bar Billiards league

Hastings Bar Billiards AGM
 
Held at the OKJ 17th September 8:30
 
Attendees
OKJ – Chris Lamb, Roger Andrews, Andy Ellison, Nigel Doe, Mark Bailey, Rob and Gary.
Others – Sandy Harmer, Dave Pearce, Mick Osbourne, Ray Norton, Tom Pope, Steve Astley, Jezz Horsler, Colin Southouse, Alec Pope, Peter Payne.
Apologies – Paul Wickens, Jimmy Sullivan
 
Item 1
The sad passing of Bob Osbourne has means that we no longer have a Chairman.  Colin volunteered, and was seconded by Mark Bailey and was elected.
Item 2
Rule changes, no rule changes have been proposed.
Item 3
Next season, it has been proposed we start on Wednesday 1st October with a 10 week season which allows for a bye week for any missing matches. Fixtures have already been distributed, thanks to Roger. That will finish on 10th December. Black pegs late in the game will be noted on the score sheet to avoid falsely lowering the averages.
After the Xmas break the second half will be the KC handicap – again 10 weeks, again with a bye week. That will be based on a home and away average from the first half. Teams playing on their home table will use the home average, even if they are the away team, on the fixture.
The player starting with the highest deficit will take the first of the equal breaks. Start date 7th January, Completion is 8th May.
That will be followed by the Rix cup, starting 1st April, which will be held on neutral tables, with no handicap. To be completed by 8th May.
Item 4
Competitions, this season we will hold a pairs and captains cup competitions, fixtures and entries TBA. Any other suggestions, the fixtures will be played on non league nights.
Item 5
Finals night and open competition, we are hoping to have a finals night and weekend 4 pin and open singles competition next summer, the room was in agreement that this is a good thing to promote the Bar billiards league, and provisional dates will be discussed with Simon at the Jenny. It is hoped we will have 4 tables in the conference room, and also use the Jenny table. We do have money in the account, Colin will check the rental costs, and possibly the Jenny might cover some of the costs too, when they were sounded out they were keen.
Item 6
We have a trophy for the most improved player in Bob Osbourne’s name which we hope to award at finals night, but we need to add more events or trophies in memory of the late Bob to honour his contribution over the years. Suggestions?
Item 7
This year’s Bar Billiards marathon has been pencilled in for 27th October, which is the Monday in the school half term. Start time likely to be 12:00. Last year we raised over £1,000 for MacMillan, Ray will reach out to Phil Osbourne to see if there is a charity that we could contribute towards on Bob’s behalf, and maybe we will support St Michael’s hospice this year? Further details with regards to timing and maybe a just giving page will be announced once the arrangements have been confirmed with the Jenny.
Item 8
Sussex league affiliation, Colin suggested it would be a good move to re-affiliate back with Sussex, so that Hastings can take part in any league and interleague 3 pin events. We might be too late for this season, Colin will check that, and Alex Pope suggested he would sponsor the affiliation fee. In previous seasons that meant a monthly fixture generally on a Sunday that Hastings would need to send a 7-man team to. A poll of the room suggested sufficient interest at this stage.
AOB
Colin asked for any 4 pin rule changes, and the suggestion was to abandon the only playing the red rule, to speed up the frames, which was accepted. Any further changes could be agreed before the next summer season.