Note attachments are available on request and are not included here. Apologies for the delay in publication.

Minutes from Abingdon & District Aunt Sally Association AGM held on 26th January 2026
At The Croft Bar, Abingdon

Present: Committee – P. Stone (Chairperson), R. Nichols (Treasurer), T. Woolloff (General), G. Lee (General) and C. Foster (Secretary)

                   Teams Represented (22 Teams) – See attachment 1

Registration & Welcome

P.Stone welcomed everyone and thanked all for attending.

1.    Minutes of AGM 2025

Agreed and proposed by D. Harris and seconded by E. Reisener

2.    Chair’s Report

2026 has been a good year for the league as far as the sections go as we managed 60 teams making us the biggest league in the county, and as some might say, the world!

We still have challenges with venues still having a difficult time, we are aware of a couple with issues that will affect next season, but we also know that the teams affected are looking for new locations so are keen to keep playing which is excellent news.

We are also aware of a few new teams and venues that want to take part so we may be in the position of having to instigate some byes this season. As we are a 10-team section league if we step over 60 teams we really need to leap to 66+ to avoid multiple byes in sections. Of course, many of our venues with a single pitch can support two teams so do encourage others to think about having another team. And a slight plea to think about the number of players registered – we don’t set a limit but having 16+ players registered seems a bit daft when you could probably have two teams.

As far as performances go Dave Dix who was again 1 short of the maximum in Week 16, he did total 6 sixes in the season but that was equalled with Phil Adams who also missed the maximum by one doll in Week 12! Both missing dolls in the first leg. Surely, we should be getting a max this season.

I can’t mention all the other 24 sixers here, but it was great to see both our Honorary President John Simmons get one in Week 14, nice to see him getting some form back, and our sponsor, John Pownceby got one in Week 8.

Sadly, I need to mention another sixer Andy Shipman from Harwellian B who we lost over Christmas. He was their best player (he scored 6-5-4 in Week 9) and will be sadly missed by the team and his family.

With every player that puts down their sticks, as it were, we, like a lot of pastimes, need to encourage a younger element to take up the game. There’s a lot to be said to drag some away from their screens and outside into a social gathering both for mental health and social skills. This is not without risks as we’ve seen this year with 2 incidents with behaviour which have been dealt with and for the first time in my history of the Summer League has led one player to a rest-of-season+1 ban. We are all conscious that a mix of alcohol and strong opinions can lead to heightened emotions and it’s up to teammates, and Captains, to ensure everyone’s behaviour is sensible. Two incidents out of 540 games isn’t much but any incident is shocking.

For the avoidance of doubt this league will not accept anti-social or threatening behaviour.

Which brings me on to the people that support us in the League not that they are anti-social or threatening!

Thanks to the efforts of the committee, we have the 60 teams to give us a strong league both in financial and playing terms. Roger Nichols of course puts in a great deal of effort to get us going and keep us going in the season and for Competitions, Presentation Night and of course this AGM as Treasurer.

Roger didn’t do all this on his own and Claire, Geoff & Tosh – your committee, helped us along the way.

Once again, we were grateful for John Pownceby of Thames Cable for sponsoring the League and for the new lower section pairs competitions. For which the one for the D/E/F sections was very popular in the summer with a great turnout at The Harwellian.

We’ve still not increased our fees and as we know almost everything else has gone up. We don’t intend increasing this year but there will come a time when we need to look at our income vs expenditure.

I’ve mentioned the lower section competition, and we did manage to get enough entries to run most of the competitions this year, but it was a hard slog, and Roger did his upmost to cajole and strong-arm teams to enter to get the bare 8 we need for a decent start. Unfortunately, some of those teams dropped out meaning that competition didn’t happen.

I believe the competitions are the best way to hone your match nerves and of course your skills as a player and would hope more teams will take part this year. Singles is always well supported, I’d just encourage you to take part in the other events.

So, I think we are looking forward to another successful year of Aunt Sally.

3.    Financial Report – see attachment 3 & 3A

Proposed by M. Crook and seconded by M. Samways

A query was raised on trophies and names. It was explained that some trophies had gone missing/destroyed etc during COVID. Teams to let committee know what trophies are incorrect.

4.    Rule Change/Amendments.

Suggestion – could players fill in if another team is short at the same club? It would mean all players would need to sign on for 2 teams for entering scorecards??? Best option is to try and get another team?

5.    Sponsorship

Thames Cable have sponsored us again and have also donated £200.00 to lower league competitions which was very much appreciated.

6.    Competitions

A big dilemma – which days to hold them, are there too many etc
8’s – handicap is 2 per section at present. Is this fair? Suggestion to use players handicaps instead.
5’s – no handicap at present. Should handicap be introduced?

From the floor – Suggestion of staggering the comps, starting with the lower leagues?

                                  Wednesday for competitions

 AGREED – To leave to committee to decide handicaps

Other competitions and start of season:

22^nd April will be first round of 8’s competitions
League will run from 29^th April until 26^th August
3’s, 4’s & 5’scompetitions will be take place on 2^nd and 9^th September
Captain’s and Secretary’s to stay as individual competitions but if not enough entries, this will be combined – AGREED

7.    Election of Officers

The existing committee was willing to stand for another year with no new members.

Chairman – Paul Stone
Treasurer – Roger Nichols
Secretary – Claire Foster
General – Tosh Woolloff and Geoff Lee
All nominated by J. Pownceby and seconded by P. Soden.

8.    Dates

16^th March – Registration Night @ Ab Con Club from 7.30pm
16^th September – Final’s Night @ Ab United
 23^rd October – Presentation Night @ Ab United

9.   Recruitment

Hopefully there will be the same number of teams in the League this year as the ideal number is 60 teams. We understand pubs/clubs change hands and circumstances do change but we always welcome new teams/venues.

10. A.O.B.

1. Scorecards – it is not necessary for each player to sign but the captains must sign to agree scores and players.
2. All handicaps will be published and put into welcome packs.

The meeting closed at 9.15pm.

The 2026  Annual General Meeting is being held on Monday 26^th January at 8pm at The Croft Bar, Peachcroft Road,  Abingdon.

A full agenda will be issued ahead of the meeting. It will include the 2025 Financial Reportand commentary, Competitions, Key dates for 2026, 2026 Registration, election of oficers and any other business. 

It is your opportunity to have a say or suggest changes on any matter ahead of the 2026 Summer season. 

It is also the chance to join the Committee if you would like the opportunity to have a say in how the league is managed either as a full member or as a section representative. We operate with a small band of 5 volunteers so any additional numbers and/or ideas will always be welcome 

If any team,  team captain or secretary wishes to raise or suggest any issues for discussion at the meeting then it would be helpful to raise these ahead of the meeting so that they can be included on the agenda for the meeting.

It’s your opportunity to have your say either as an individual or as your team representative.

Ideally we would like a representative from every team to attend, but realise that’s not likely, but if your substitute don’t/can’t make it then you lose the opportunity to have your say at the meeting as any voting needed on tjhe night is one team, one vote!

Hope to see you all on the 26th.

Regards and a belated Happy New Year to you all!