Change at the Top as Chris takes over
AGM REPORT
Great Melton Cricket Club's AGM, held last night at Park Farm, Hethersett, marked the end of Steve Phoenix's 39-years as Chairman. When he first stepped into the role the club played at Wymondham Recreation Ground, subscriptions were £3 and the club had one team playing in Division 4 of the Norfolk League plus a few Sunday friendlies. Now Melton have 340 playing members and 21 teams including women and girls. After paying tribute to those past and present who had helped him along the way, Steve handed over the reins to Vice-Chairman, Chris Wright, wishing him the very best of luck. Chris Elliott paid a fitting tribute to the outgoing Chairman before presenting him with gifts in addition to those received at the Presentation Dinner.
The AGM certainly saw plenty of changes with Nick Evans-Lombe stepping up to Patron and Steve becoming President. Simon Woods was elected Vice-Chairman and there is a new Secretary, Clive Gristwood. Celia Phoenix also ended her role as Safeguarding Officer after 14 years and was succeeded by Maria Greenslade. Celia was unable to be at the meeting providing family support for daughter Lucy who gave birth to the couple's 5th grandchild just minutes before the meeting started – two ‘gifts' in one night for the retiring Chairman!
All last season's skippers, Joey Greenslade (1st Team), Nick Aston (A Team), Eusha Fawad (B Team), Duncan Greenslade (C Team), Nick Mackenzie (Midweek Team) and Simon Woods (Over 40s) were re-elected while Kyle Weston proved a popular volunteer to run the Sunday Friendly Team. Miriam Osborne will take over from Trish Ellse in managing the Ladies.
The club are, however, still in need of volunteers to fill the roles of Fixture Secretary, Bar/Pavilion Manager and Volunteer Coordinator. The possibility of a sub-committee, comprising senior players and parents of juniors, to run the bar was proposed and certainly deserves further consideration. If you are interested in helping out anywhere in the club please contact us..
Chris Wright provided an entertaining presentation updating members on the improvements being made to the pavilion while Treasurer Carl Fawkes revealed that healthy looking set of accounts showing a cash balance of £99,550, up £62,339 on the previous year helped by a substantial award from Persimmon Homes and increased takings from the bar and barbecue. However, £90,000 of this cash has been earmarked for the pavilion project. With further grants applied for but not guaranteed, members voted to leave the setting of subscriptions and match fees to the Executive Committee following consultation with the Finance and Senior Cricket Sub-Committees.
Club Captain Chris Greenslade announced that the 2023 Golf Day was provisionally booked for Wednesday 29th March at Dunston Hall while Martyn Cook outlined a few possible changes for the website.
Finally, early ‘Christmas Drinks' has been revived and will begin at the Warwick Arms on Friday 2nd December at 7.00 p.m. All club members (of drinking age) welcome.
Full list of officers elected:
Patron: Nick Evans-Lombe; President: Steve Phoenix; Chairman: Chris Wright; Vice Chairman: Simon Woods; Secretary: Clive Gristwood; Membership Secretary: Georgia Ryan; Treasurer: Carl Fawkes; Safeguarding Officer: Maria Greenslade; Club Captain: Chris Greenslade; Head of Junior Coaching: Matt Rushton; Groundsman: Mike Phoenix; Statistician: Stephen Leinster; Junior Representative: George Ryan; First Team Captain: Joey Greenslade; A Team Captain: Nick Aston; B Team Captain: Eusha Fawad; C Team Captain: Duncan Greenslade; Sunday Team Captain: Kyle Weston; Women’s Team Manager: Miriam Osborne; Midweek Team Captain: Nick Mackenzie; O40s Captain: Simon Woods. Maxine Rushton will continue as Junior Secretary.
The full minutes of the AGM and the statement of accounts can be accessed here:
