Minutes of a meeting of the Executive committee of NEBA held in the comfort of Mr Spoors’ town abode,
18 May at 7.30pm

Present: Pauline Durie (Chairman), Ken Spragg (Vice-Chairman) Sue Caygill (Treasurer), Ian Spoors (EBU Rep), Ian Rankin (Chief Tournament Sec) Bev Godfrey (Congress Sec) Mike Baker (Sec)

 Apologies. C Benneworth

1. Minutes of the previous meeting. The minutes were accepted as a true record.

2. Matters arising.
a. Computer. The purchase of a new computer is still on hold. The secretary was asked to enquire of Chris Benneworth what progress, if any, he has made.

b. Ian Rankin produced a splendid trophy he has procured for the Diamond league.
His acquisition received general approbation.

3. Council Minutes.

a.   Ian Spoors stated that if NEBA Sim Pairs ceased to be a charitable event he would score them at a commercial rate.

b.   Ann Bell (Cramlington) had written to express Cramlington members’ displeasure that the venue for the AGM had been changed, without the club secretary being informed directly. The Chairman had written to apologise for the oversight.

4. Treasurer’s report.
The treasurer said that entry fees for NEBA direct entry events should be raise from £5 to £6 to reflect rising costs. This was agreed. Ian Spoors mentioned that it was time the costs of NEBADUP were reviewed, and this would be done.

5. North East League.
It was agreed that the NE League competition should be completed before the AGM, both to facilitate NEBA’s Pachabo entry, and to enable the relevant trophy to be presented at the said AGM. Ian Rankin explained the difficulties experienced this year by illness, and prolonged absences from the area.

6. EBU Matters. Ian Spoors had attended the meeting on 21 Feb, when officials spoke at length but said little. Progress towards recognition of Bridge as a sport was progressing well in all but the important matters. The Benji 2 requirements have been relaxed by a point, as far as announcing is concerned. Details are on the EBU website.

7. Any Other Business

a.   Ian Spoors expressed his concern that the Kempson Cup & Plate finals had started early, for the convenience of the participating players. This is a major event to which spectators are invited, and the players must adhere to the conditions of play that are defined and published at the start of the NEBA year.

b.   Congress. The Congress Sec informed the Committee that meals would cost £1 per meal more, and prizes would be undoubtedly be more expensive. Other costs were in line with last year. The Newcomers’ section entries will be included on the main entry form. The Friday Men’s Pairs were poorly attended, and may be discontinued in favour of Open Pairs. Publicity will be sent to neighbouring counties, but will not be inserted in the EBU magazine.

c.   Diamond League. Ian Rankin asked if matches in the Diamond League merited the award of master points (MPs). It was agreed that such matches were within the MP requirements, and MPs would be issued.

d.   Ian Spoors said that NEBA needed new bar-coded cards, and he had sourced a supplier in Holland who offered such cards at a very advantageous rate. A purchase was agreed when it was established there was no financial risk involved.

e.   A complaint had been received appertaining to the humorous presentation of Minutes, hence the present style.

f.    The Chairman said that at the AGM she would plead for clubs to send their reps to Council meetings, so decisions taken reflected a wider cross section of the membership.

g.   Next Meeting. St Georges’ Bridge Centre, Monday, 11 June at 7.30pm.

There being no further business, the meeting closed at 1030pm, after warm thanks had been offered to Ian for his hospitality.

(M J Baker) Hon Sec