MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE
WIMBLEDON GREYHOUND OWNERS’ ASSOCIATION
HELD ON WEDNESDAY 29TH SEPTEMBER 2011 AT THE STADIUM
Item 1 – Apologies:
Apologies were received from Lee Canon and Sheila Milne. A late apology was read by the Chairman from Mr. Keith Hallinan (GM) who had previously agreed to attend and answer questions at the end of the formal proceedings. Mr. J. Boothby intervened through the Chair to say that he was of the opinion that this was very unprofessional and disrespectful both to the committee and to those attending who took this one occasion as an opportunity in the year to ask direct questions of the GM on aspects of racing at Wimbledon.
There was a general consensus of opinion that a formal letter of complaint be sent to the CEO of GRA. The Chairman undertook the task of complying with the wishes of the meeting.
Item 2 – Minutes of the last meeting:
The minutes were approved; proposed by Mr. L. Shipp, seconded by Mr. J. Simpson.
Item 3 – Matters Arising. There were no matters arising.
Items 4 & 5 – The financial statement and Chairman’s report:
The Chairman/Treasurer presented his financial statement followed by his annual report. In the absence of a candidate for Treasurer from within the committee he was continuing to administer both roles. He stated that it was not entirely satisfactory for him to be both Chairman and Treasurer, but until such time as a Treasurer be appointed would continue both roles.The accounts for the year were distributed which showed a surplus of income over expenditure of £171.23 making a balance at bank of £6,182.93. This healthy balance would be reduced by the initiatives of the committee with regard to sweepstake sponsorship referred to later.
Once again it had been a very tough year for the Sport and Wimbledon in particular. There had been no increase in prize money but at least there had been no reduction as in previous years. Details were emerging of an unexpected increase in the bookmakers’ voluntary contribution to greyhound racing which would increase prize money nationwide by £1m between now and the end of 2012. The Secretary would expand on this welcome addition in his part of the proceedings this evening.
One of the committee’s initiatives apart from the regular trophy nights and awards has been to promote a super sweepstake, the A1 Champions Trophy Sweepstake taking place currently wherein the winner will collect £1,000 plus a trophy and a presentation jacket to keep. There would also be substantial money prizes for the finalists and the winner of the Plate competition. Overall, about £2k would be distributed to WGOA members in one form or another. It was hoped to
persuade Sky to feature this race in its broadcast of the St. Ledger finals at the track on 4th October.
The Chairman thought that one disappointing feature of the year had been a missed opportunity to capitalise on the achievement of Wimbledon racer, Cloheena Cash in reaching the Derby final, the first “home” greyhound to achieve that for a number of years.
With regard to the accounts, the financial statement showed a surplus for the year of £171.23 with a surplus at bank of £6,182.93 (this figure would be substantially reduced by the introduction of the A1 Champions initiative). However, the balance is healthy which is largely due to the highly successful Presentation D/D in May each year, where this year a maximum of 120 persons attended and where substantial sums were raised in the raffle and auction of items of value. As usual, we were able to support WGW from these ventures and in the year had contributed £1,208.40 to that homing and greyhound care organisation.
On the downside, during the year we had lost some highly supportive members and our thought are with their families. One in particular Steve Godfrey will be missed for his generous contribution to the racing scene by organising an all card sponsored meeting and inter-track races with Romford including added prize money and trophies.
Item 6 – Secretary’s Report:
The Secretary reported that the committee had met at regular intervals in the period under review but that the meetings with senior management had been fewer than the committee would have liked.
The Secretary commented upon and gave details of the recommended way that the BGRF additional prize money, touched upon by the Chairmen earlier should be spent. Spread evenly throughout the licensed tracks it amounts to approximately £26k per track, to be used as graded sweepstakes. Normal track money will be paid for heats but the finals will be funded by the BGRF with £500 to the winner, with a trophy and jacket, £100 to others and the winning trainer to receive £100. All track money unpaid for finals to be set aside and used appropriately as bonus prize money later.
In addition £5,000 is to be allocated to Christmas bonus prize money, distribution of which may be double prize money but will probably be an extra £10 per runner at selected meetings throughout December
As mentioned last year, a committee consisting of the owners, trainers and breeders represented by the Practitioner at GBGB board level had met 12 times so far to discuss mutual issues. The fruits of such meetings have a bearing upon and can be gauged by the number of improvements and recommendations across a wide range of subjects from kennelling to veterinary regulations and BGRF prize money distribution coming from GBGB headquarters.
Item 7 – Membership Secretary’s Report
Alan Clarke again reported that the membership was the lowest since he had taken on the job some 10 years ago. There has been a falling off of individually owned greyhounds in favour of syndicates and an increasing number of trainer owned dogs. On the plus side, the website has proved very popular with members and non members a like!
With paid-up members at an all time low of 179 showing a loss of about 150 over a ten year period the Association could face a financial shortfall in its programme of benefits to members by way of trophy nights and extra prize money initiatives (Michael Bailey interposed to appeal to existing members to encourage newcomers and others to join WGOA and to offer suggestions to the committee on the subject of recruitment of new members – for which Alan Clarke thanked Michael for his contribution).
Item 8 – Election of Committee
The Secretary stated that he had received no nominations for election. The existing committee consisted of:
Bob Boswell Chairman and Treasurer
John Waldron Vice Chairman/Secretary
Alan Clarke Membership Secretary
Peter Green Presentation and Awards Co-ordinator
Paula Boswell Social Member
Alan Spriggs Social Member
Michael Bailey Social Member (Co-opted during the year)
The Secretary proposed to take the Chairman’s willingness to continue in his dual role as a separate item and he was duly re-elected .
All the remainder of the above committee had indicated their willingness to continue in office for another term and were re-elected nem con.
The Chairman stated that if anybody at the meeting wished to be nominated for the committee he would be pleased to speak to them afterwards.
Item 9 – A.O.B. There was no item for discussion under this heading.
There followed a question and answer session which, in the absence of the General Manager and the Racing Manager was held with Owen Winkley and Scott Murray from the Racing Office.
Q. Display of photo finish.
A. There had been a problem with the digital camera which had now been resolved and the display facilities should be back to normal next week.
Q. Would the main grandstand re-open in the future?
A. No, but there is a possibility that the Executive Suites would be open for the Christmas trade.
Q. Have William Hill ever shown any interest in purchasing the Stadium?
A. Unlikely, as the problems of old premises would be the same whoever took control. Their advertising here was support enough most likely.
Q. Reserved seating for owners.
A. Although the GM had indicated that there would be an opportunity to reserve some seating for owners nothing was, as yet, forthcoming. (Subsequent to the meeting a promise of some reserved seating for members had been agreed on WGOA trophy night in future).
Q. More variety of racing distances.
A. This depended upon the availability of suitable greyhounds for 6 bend and sprint races. There could be variety but it depended upon sufficient numbers of dogs to make such races competitive.
Q. Trainers have given trials to improve that situation only to find that the trial has not been followed up with a race before that dog was out of time.
A. this will be brought to the attention of the RM.
Q. Should grading times be lowered to allow more dogs to grade, fewer A8 / A9 and S3 grades of late.
A. Will speak to the RM to see if this is a viable proposition vis-à-vis the availability of dogs on the fringe of grading but unable to quite make the set times.
Q. Dogs remaining in the same grade too long before downgraded.
A. This is a matter for the RM who has to form an opinion based on what he observes during a race and time achieved, but will bring this question to his attention with others put forward this evening.
This concluded the Q. and A. session. The Chairman thanked a good turn out of members for attending, Owen and Scott for their contributions and the Management for making the stadium available and supplying refreshments and biscuits.
The meeting closed at 21.35.
J.L.Waldron