1. ATTENDANCE
- Marc Shipley, Mandy Forster, Kevin Forster, Tracey Coats, Ian Davies, Mick Barnes, Anita Hammond, Russell Hughes
2. APOLOGIES
- Connor Snaith
3. MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING
- Minutes of the Meeting 8th September agreed.
4. MATTERS ARISING/ACTION POINTS
4.1 Action Point Update
- 4.4 (11/2/25) Marc/Kevin – Ongoing. (New aluminium front door on order).
- 4.4 (18/3/25) Marc - Ongoing. Saturday Keep Fit Leader to be contacted about parking.
- 4.4 (4/8/25) Marc – Completed. (Side tables placed around the club).
- 4.4 (8/9/25) Marc – Completed. (Repair carried out on glass-back court).
- 5 (8/9/25) Marc – Completed. (Confirmed Ashbrooke did not charge for courts for first Open competition held but will charge for next one). After discussion Committee agreed to charge £120 court usage fee for 2025 Boldon Open).
- 5 (8/9/25) Marc – Completed. (Paul Craigs catering for Boldon Open).
- 5 (8/9/25) Marc – Completed. (Email reminder issued to all members about 3 Guest Rule).
4.2 Dashboard
Marc advised that £1451.00 has been transferred to the Treasurer for court bookings.
£2224.00 in membership money transferred.
161 members to date.
4.3 Squash News
Team Squash 2025-2026
Marc reported the following results for the opening games of the new season: Boldon 1 won 1 lost 1; Boldon 2 won 0 lost 1; Boldon 3 won 1 lost 2; Boldon 4 won 3 lost 0.
Discussion held around team players not playing away matches in order to play internal league game at home.Committee agreed that team players representing the club should take priority over playing an internal league game. Team Captains will be asked to make this clear and enforce as necessary.
Boldon Open 2025
- Similar set-up as 2024, however the installation of power supply on each court for continuous use of each tablet on the 4 courts will be useful (as battery power ran out last year and paper scores had to be kept whilst the tablets were recharged). Committee agreed the glass-back court is advantageous for viewing, especially in view of the number of participants and spectators who attended last year). Dave Barnett is bringing his stringing machine to enable on-the-day racket string repairs, plus he will offer re-stringing as prizes. ACTION Marc – to confirm with the Executive Committee that the Bar and kitchen area will be open early to allow Paul access for the catering.
Handicap Auction & Competition 2025
- Kevin reported that as the 4th team are playing an away match on Sunday 23rd November the Auction is to be brought forward to Sunday 16th November in the Bar between 12-2pm. ACTION Marc – to confirm with the Executive Committee that 16th November 12-2pm Bar use is okay. The closing date for entries will therefore be Thursday 13th November. ACTION Kevin – to confirm with Joe Priestley that he will act as Auctioneer again. ADDENDUM – Joe has agreed.
4.4 Squash club maintenance/ improvement
Kevin reported that a new TV has been purchased for court 4 as the current one stopped working, and the cost of repair was more costly than a new TV.
Kevin reported that there has been a significant amount of water pooling in the car park outside court 4 as the car park level is too high, resulting in damp walls on court 4. ACTION Marc – to contact DIGON (Building firm) for advice.
Mandy reported that the new feature on the Wazygoose booking system to enable sharing of court costs online is proving most useful.
Marc thanked the court maintenance crew (Kevin, Tracey, Mandy & Anita) for their hard work in getting all 4 courts cleaned prior to the start of the new squash season.
Members Feedback
- None
Cleaning
- Independent cleaner doing a good job, no problems to report.
4.5 Club Executive Committee Feedback
Letter of complaint to be raised at next scheduled meeting (14/10/25) regarding verbal assault and threats made to Kevin in the Club car park, which relate to the recent incidents of vandalism in the squash area reported to the Executive Committee for their action.
Club finances look set to reach £400k for 2025.
Discussed which particular functions are most cost effective for the Club, agreed not to go ahead with request to hold wedding in 2026 and instead host the Football Presentations over 2 nights.
Boilers in Ladies Squash Changing Room are to be replaced.
Going ahead with Air conditioning/heating in function room.
Proceeding with Solar Panels as ECB grant secured.
Fence being installed around new cricket nets.
First draft of 2024 accounts produced by accountants, to be distributed to Committee.
Cricket 1st Team promoted to Premier League (and therefore whole Club promoted). Under 9’s won their League. 8-9 year olds team now have 20 girls.
5. AOB
Russell, Ian and Tracey all reported that the new oven is not working properly. ACTION Marc – to raise issue at next Executive Meeting.
Mick reported that there has been an increase in the use of foul language on court, and often off court, a fact that most of the Committee have noticed. This matter was discussed and the Committee felt it important to be addressed, particularly as the club has many junior players and we are trying to encourage more families to participate, especially at Sunday Socials. ACTION – Marc and Kevin to produce signs and produce an email for the attention of all members.
Kevin reported that one of our Junior players – Sophia Jameson – recently became U15 County Champion by beating the Number 1 seed 3-0, and in addition never lost a game throughout the tournament. The Committee expressed their delight at Sophia’s success.
Date of Next Meeting – MONDAY 10th November 2025 6.30pm
