Bassetlaw and District Umpires Association AGM
by Paul Barker, 6th October 2003

The A.G.M. of the Bassetlaw and District Umpires Association was held at Worksop on Saturday and opened on a sad note when acting Chairman Mr. Alan Bennett asked for a minutes silence for members Bernard Gibbons and Steven Corbridge who had passed away over the last twelve months.

Mr. Bennett then asked for apologies for absence with this year producing a rather long list. He then asked Mr. Peter McKenzie the secretary/treasurer to read the minutes of the last A.G.M. These were taken as read and no matters were arising from them.

The Secretary then read his report for the season thanking the people who had conducted training courses, reminding members to wear the badges provided by the sponsors and stating that although there should be no complacency that the League were still in the enviable position of having more umpires than in other leagues where only the top two sections receive any umpires at all. One major disappointment was that only a few umpires had returned their sheets for sportsmanship and facilities and Mr. McKenzie stated that it would be difficult to ascertain their real value after such a poor response.

Mr. McKenzie elaborated on this though by saying that the quest to recruit more umpires must continue and thanked Mr. Geoff Holden the Appointments Secretary for his unstinting work throughout what had been a difficult season.

Mr. John Leaning then read Mr. Holden's report in his absence stating that only the Bank Holiday Monday programmes were the only dates when a full compliment of umpires had been possible. He also thanked the umpires who had switched matches at a late stage to help the cause.

Mr. McKenzie then read his Treasurer's report and stated that they had suffered a bad year financially with increased fees for the speakers in the Winter and also the increase in Insurance which the Association takes out to cover its members. He ended by asking for an increase in subscriptions from £5.00 to £7.00 which would be the discounted rate for early payers.

The officials were elected en-bloc for next year with the one vacant position on the committee being taken by Mr. Niven Roper.

Mr. John Heaman then read out the details which the Association will be presenting to the League's A.G.M. regarding fast bowling, fielding and helmet regulations issued by the ECB for young players. It was also agreed unanimously to seek a minimal increase in the Umpires expenses for the 2004 season.

Mr. Mike Smedley (President) then presented a 20 year tie for long service to Mr. Ron Lovegrove who has served the league with distinction in his time as an umpire.

The Joe Richardson Memorial Trophy which was presented to Eric Adwick is to stay with his widow for a further 12 month after Eric sadly passed away shortly after the presentation.