AGM 2012 The Annual General Meeting was held on the 23rd January 2012 at Wootton British Legion. This year 16 venues and 31 players attended and the meeting got underway at around 8.05pm. After the standard business of apologies, last years meeting minutes etc and the team register the Chairman gave his report. The balance sheet was accepted as a true record and the Treasurer drew attention to the increase in VAT which had increased costs by 2.5%. The reports were adopted. There were no formal proposals this year but a couple of suggestions via the website and a few from the floor. Scott Humphreys had suggested the instigation of an under 21 singles competition or similar to encourage younger players to take up the game. After reminiscing over how previous attempts had not got a great number of entries and the Father and Son competitions that used to be held it was agreed that it is something that should be considered and the Association would support. Brian Lacey made a suggestion (for the 2013 season - good thinking ahead Brian!) that a 9th player could be part of the side and substitued during the 2nd or 3rd leg. While this was agreed a good concept (Witchwood league have an arrangement of 6 from 9 over 5 legs) problems would occur with the old computer programme that keeps the scoring and with the scorecards which will need amending. Investigations would be made further to a formal proposal being made at the 2013 AGM.  Phil Soden suggested that the balance sheet should include the previous year so that comparisons can be made. Agreed. A request that the final league team list is given a fixed date to be published. Although the committee do as much as possible to publish the list 2 weeks before the start of the season (and it's published online as soon as we get the final copy from the printers)  it's not always within our control. The Committee agreed that a fixed date should be attempted. John Gapper asked about the success of the Wednesday night trial for the pairs and 4's competitions. Graham Brown replied that although on paper 9 rather than 7 4's were entered and 8 more pairs on the night many teams did not turn out. It also threw out the end of the season into September (almost running into the Winter League). Terry Downes raised a suggestion that because of the number of unclaimed trophies for section winners/runners up that these should be replaced with a detailed plaque commemorating the achievement with a 'mini league table' containing the names, dolls, 6's etc that could be displayed on a wall at the hosting venue (and if necessary moved as the team moved). This would be a more permanent and personal reminder of the achievement. The plaque/shield would be also slightly cheaper than the individual trophies. It was agreed that representatives should canvas opinion on substituting trophies for a plaque and a formal proposal be raised at the next AGM due to Rule 23 stating that trophies would be given. The Chairman raised the issue of the finals/presentation night. Several people have suggested that a bigger venue, maybe combining Finals with Presentation night and making it a night for partners as well would be a better idea than the current format. The meeting agreed that the Committee should investigate the possibilities. Most people are willing to pay £5 to attend. A suggestion that tickets need to be on sale well beforehand. The Abbey Hall was suggested as a venue but this is being refurbished this year. All agreed a better night needs to be planned.  Paul Stone mentioned that a day of filming with Johnny Vaughan took place in June last year and the programme 'Mud Men' starts its airing on Thursday this week on the History channel. With no further business the committee were elected enblock for another year.  Barry Parker suggested a vote of thanks to the Committee for all their work this year. The Meeting closed at 9:15pm. Brian Collins, The Stickmaker was available with dolls, sticks and equipment to purchase. Brian mentioned this is his 53rd year of making sticks. The Chairman thanked him for continuing to support the game in Oxfordshire.     Webmaster's Report  The website once again had increased traffic meaning its more popular than ever! A special mention for The Anchorman whose articles have, I'm sure, prompted many a 'discussion' around Aunt Sally. Twitter now has 50 followers (up from 34) and the email list has 107 names (up from 87).