CLUB AGM NOTES – MON 26TH NOVEMBER 2007

The meeting was again held at the Tetley Club in Warrington although
apart from the committee only one member turned up (thanks Alan!)
which was rather disappointing to say the least. This is the once a
year chance for members to air their views about how the club is run
and without members input your committee really has no idea if what
we are offering is what members want from the club.

I would urge members to write to the committee should they have any
new ideas/suggestions for the club to consider in 2008.

As regards the meeting I can report as follows:

• Treasurers report – Thanks to Richard Mattinson for
completing the accounts again this year. Although membership fees
fell during the year the club still made a healthy surplus of £651
compared to £270 last year. The club reserves increased to £2821 as a
result. All figures as at 30-9-07. Special thanks must go to Ken
Unsworth whose in house newsletter production has enabled the club to
remain viable without increasing subs for the last few years. In view
of the improved financial position no increase in the subs for 2008
is proposed.
• Membership Report – numbers have fallen slightly in 2007 and
whilst the number of members not renewing seems fairly stable the
ability to recruit new members is becoming more difficult – as such
continued spreading of the word by existing members is much
appreciated. For 2008 it was agreed that we shall class members
living outside our core catchment areas of Lancashire, Cheshire,
Merseyside, and Greater Manchester as `Country Members'. This is to
differentiate between those members who have less access to club
previews etc. For 2008 `Standard' members (about 80% of current
membership) will be given at least one free entry to a club preview
night and `Country Members' a £5 voucher for a free club competition
entry. Based on the existing membership data base `Country Members'
will be defined as those living in Cumbria, North Wales, Shropshire,
Yorkshire, Northumberland, Durham, Derbyshire, Leicestershire,
Scotland, Ireland, Isle of Mann. A new `Group' membership option will
be launched next year also – intended to attract small syndicates/pub
groups etc. There will be a minimum group requirement of 10 persons
with £20 charged for the first member and £2pp for all additional
members – such groups will also be invited to publicise their group
in the club newsletter. Members who would prefer to receive their
newsletter by 1st class post will have an option to do this in 2008
for an extra cost of £1 for the full year.
• Newsletter – apart from the October newsletter which was
caught up in the Liverpool postal strike the production/distribution
has gone well this year again – many thanks to Ken in this regard. We
could do with greater input from members and ideas for new articles
etc will be appreciated. Ken will also receive other racing club
newsletters in future and borrow anything of interest from these
(with the other club's permission) in 2008.
• Web Site – this is maintained on a low cost budget but acts
as a real time update between newsletters for those with access to
the web. Any further ideas/contributions will be welcomed.
• Competitions – the Alex Bird entries tailed off a little
after Cheltenham/Aintree this year and any ideas for changes for 2008
should be sent to Alan Preston. Do we want to retain as covering all
races on every day or would members prefer to see the qualifying
races restricted to those live on TV? Overall a similar format of 4
rounds is envisaged with 80% of the pot to the round winner and 20%
added towards the seasonal prize. Probable meetings covered in 2008
will be Cheltenham, Aintree, Royal Ascot and York (Ebor). The
Classics Challenge entries rose 50% this year and hopefully is
becoming more established now. The Saturday Naps Competition entries
rose again this year and for the first time the prize fund topped
£1000! The Grand National sweepstake entries were down this year
however and I shall give it one more go in 2008 to see if this is
worth persevering with. The 49's draw remains reasonably well
supported albeit we still have about 5 available numbers.
• Preview Nights – apart from Cheltenham the turnouts have not
been as good as in 2007. Whilst appreciating that information is now
more readily available these nights are intended as social functions
as well thus we hope that greater support will be seen in 2008 – some
joint ventures with other parties may however be required to ensure
we get improved numbers. Provisionally looking at a Cheltenham
preview (at Haydock) on the eve of the meeting then previews for
Aintree, Chester/Flat Season, Royal Ascot, York Ebor then Jumps
Season. The venues for the other meetings will be determined by the
attendances expected in 2008 although if any members know of suitable
venues (e.g. racing orientated pubs/clubs) please contact the
committee.
• Stable Visits – with the role of stable visit co-ordinator
still vacant our thanks go to Helen, Ken and Lesley for arranging
visits to Geraldine Rees, Richard Ford and Brian Storey in 2007 with
thanks to Dave who is trying to arrange a stable visit in early 2008.
These visits are generally well supported still and members should
take advantage of these visits whenever possible as some regional
racing clubs no longer arrange these events due to the 7 days a week
racing nowadays. Any members with contacts in other yards who can
help us arrange a stable visit in 2008 should contact the committee
with details please.
• Ownership Groups – many members remain involved in the
Garstang syndicate with another 2 wins in 2007 (8 wins in total and 9
placed runs over 3 seasons). We shall continue to liaise with other
syndicate operators in 2008 – please send details of any ownership
groups you are involved with to the committee for publication
(subject to syndicate membership status).
• Racedays – A total of 5 arranged in 2007 with two at Haydock,
two at Carlisle and one at Bangor. We shall continue to seek options
is 2008 – any suggestions re new venues?
• Racing Trips/Holidays – our own Kelso trip in October
attracted limited interest albeit those that went had a great time
and it will be repeated in 2008. We may consider our own trip to
Ireland for a big flat race in 2008 if interest is sufficient. We
shall also publicise trips arranged via other operators.
• Discount Cards – the 2007 cards covered 18 courses and up to
30 meetings a month in the summer. Hopefully we can maintain/improve
on that in 2008.
• Dinners/Socials – If Dave Kay/Helen&Brian Goodwill are still
interested in arranging a dinner in 2008 we shall try and take this
forwards – probably in the Autumn. A spring social night at the
Bickerton Poacher (close to Bangor on Dee) is also being considered
in the Spring.

Many thanks to all of the committee for all their hard work in 2007 –
thankfully all have agreed to remain in their posts for another year
albeit we shall need some new blood in the future if the club is to
continue to prosper as none of us are getting any younger!

As members of the club you remain the lifeblood and we rely on you
all to stay as involved as possible, give us plenty of feedback and
just enjoy being part of this great club of ours!

Phil Evans
Deputy Chairman.