Present: David Banner (chairman), Saqib Ahmed, Mike Burge, Martin Cartledge,
Simon Gooch, Tony Hewston, Zamir Khan, Rahul Punj, Matthew Stevenson

Apologies: David Peters, Murray Scott


Matters Arising From Previous Minutes

• TVL ground and pitch markings: we have still not received our annual marks from the TVL.
• TVL AGM report: David Banner has still not published his report.
• Sir Ali memorabilia for the club web page: there has been no progress on this.
• Picket fence: this has now been completed.
• Practice facility: this has been renovated and is now fully operational.
• Sightscreens: the two new sightscreens have arrived.


Cricket Report

• Overseas players: Matthew Stevenson reported that Adnan Khan had accepted an offer to return to the club in 2003 as an overseas player, playing for the 2nd XI and coaching the juniors. David Banner and Zamir Khan both have some leads to follow up re an overseas player for the 1st XI.
• TVL structure 2003: Matthew Stevenson reported that the league structure will remain the same, despite the fact that Hounslow, who were due to play in the Division above us in 2003, have folded. Promotion and relegation will broadly remain the same, although it is likely that both teams will have to finish seventh or higher out of ten to avoid relegation.
• Teas: it is understood that Sharon Douglas will be doing the teas again on Saturdays only, so the Sunday captains will have to make their own arrangements.
• Open day: Caroline Chipperfield has offered to provide the teas on Saturday, 26th April; this can be incorporated into the catering arrangements for the Spring Ball, which takes place that evening.
• President’s Day: Mike Burge reported that he had spoken to Sam Machin about this event; they will have further discussions in the near future.
• Hockey section: Simon Gooch said that he would get the poster, to promote the cricket section to the hockey players, done at his earliest convenience.
• Practice evening: it was agreed that Thursday evening practice sessions should be reinstated this season (they fell away last season because we did not have a usable practice facility). The first session will be next week, Thursday, 10th April; Matthew Stevenson will inform the members.


Fixtures Report

• Fixtures: Matthew Stevenson said that he still had filled the remaining blank date for the Sunday 1st XI, but was still looking for at least one more midweek fixture.
• Fixture booklets: Matthew Stevenson reminded the committee that there will be no fixture booklets this season. Printouts will be available on request, and all fixtures are published on the club web site.
• Buckinghamshire Advertiser Midweek League: David Banner said that he was currently finalising arrangements for a midweek league for local companies. All matches will be played at Chalfont Park, and this is likely to bring in circa £1000 in entrance fees alone, with extra bar income on top. The main overhead for the club will be preparation of pitches, opening the clubhouse, manning the bar and closing up afterwards, but it is a great revenue opportunity!


Treasurer’s Report

• Current balance: in his absence, Murray Scott let it be known that the current balance is circa £450, which should cover the anticipated balls and handbooks invoice from the TVL, due any time.


Social Report

• CPSA Spring Ball: Mike Burge said that he had spoken to all the captains, and would next contact each player individually. It is hoped that the cricket section will take four tables of ten each, with the various cricketers who also play hockey sitting on other tables. Both Martin Cartledge and Tony Hewston expressed concern that the 1st XI was due to play away on the open day, and thus the highest standard of cricket at the club will not be on show. Matthew Stevenson accepted this point, and also accepted that it would a rush for the away team to get back to Chalfont in time for the dinner at the Spring Ball, but this would apply to the 2nd XI as much as the 1st XI. David Banner was not keen to approach Ashford again, as we have already asked them to move the start time forward to 1.00pm.


Ground Report

• Third sightscreen: a further insurance claim, of circa £490, will be made for repairs to the third sightscreen. David Banner and Zamir Khan will purchase some white Perspex for the vertical panels and a work party will then be arranged to put it together.
• Electronic scoreboard: David Banner said that it had now been lifted down from the storage containers. Matthew Stevenson will arrange a work party this weekend to build a portable 1m wooden base and attach the electronic wiring to the picket fence. The scoreboard will then be lifted onto the base, and located in the corner of the ground at ten o’clock from the clubhouse.
• Covers: David Banner said that we have been offered the chance to buy some covers from Chenies & Latimer. The cost would be circa £500, plus the same again for transportation. David Banner and Zamir Khan will go over to Chenies this weekend and have a look at them.
• Square and outfield: these are both looking very good, although we currently have a problem with the water pressure, which is being exacerbated by the current dry weather!


Any Other Business

• Next meeting: this will take place on Wednesday, 7th May, 8.00pm, in the clubhouse.