Surrey Playing Fields 2018 AGM

On Thursday 25 October 2018, the Lord Lieutenant, Michael More- Molyneux, chaired the Annual General Meeting held at the new Surrey FA Headquarters in Dorking.

David Gill presented the Annual Report for the year which outlined the challenges, highlights and events that both we ourselves and clubs faced in the year to date.
He paid tribute to Jim Faulkner who was made Patron at last year’s AGM and again reiterated the thanks of the Surrey Playing Fields for the work that Jim as and is still doing on behalf of the association. He reminded the meeting that following our 90th celebrations of 2017 he and other members had also attended in 2018 the 90th anniversary celebrations of the Croydon Playing Fields Association. Our thanks also go to Edward Handley for his efforts for both organisations.
David then gave a very comprehensive video presentation which gave him the opportunity to highlight the 10 stand-out events, activities and challenges faced by the Surrey Playing Fields in 2018 which included:-.
• The Move from Leatherhead to the new Surrey FA Headquarters in Dorking for Executive and this AGM has given us to opportunity to enhance our meeting time while making use of the up to date technology this new venue offered.
• Our People. David highlighted the role of the BDO’s and thanked the Trustees for all their time and effort over this last year. SPF is well respected most of which is due to all the hard work that has been put in by people past and present. He was able then to bring members up to date wither the work carried out by the Playing Fields Network which Gerry was very much involved with. Our Partnership working is important to us including that with Active Surrey, Croydon Playing Fields, Fields in trust and our County Sports Representatives.
• Challenges The increase in building nationwide on green spaces resulting in playing fields being lost . The damage caused by the travelling community at number of clubs in Surrey.
The long hot summer and lack of rainfall made life difficult for many groundsmen, green keepers and volunteers.
• The recruitment of a new chairman following the untimely death of Gerry Ceaser
David concluded his report by thanking and acknowledging the contribution of the friends that we have lost, Gerry Ceaser, Dr Mike Clark, Ken Olson and Sandy Brigstocke and to the valuable support of those who are taking a step back from the organisation. Thank you once again to Jim & Paul for the tremendous support that you have given us over the years.

Election of officers. Robert Evans was introduced to the meeting and following a short resume from Robert on his background, he was then formerly elected to the position of Chairman. The Secretary Heather Dean, Treasurer Mike Hughes, County Development Officer, Barry Hitchcock were also elected.

Presentations. These were made to Edward Handley in recognition of his support for both Surrey Playing Fields and Croydon Playing Fields and Paul Garber was made a Vice President.
Zandra Ceaser presented the Gerry Ceaser Fair Play Award to the Surrey Heath Borough Team awarded at the Surrey Youth Games.

Following on from the more formal business of the meeting Simon Hards of the Surrey Cricket Foundation gave a talk firstly on the success of Surrey Cricket Club, with the Men winning the County Championship and the success of the Surrey Storm in the Women’s Super League. Guests at the meeting were able to see at first hand both trophies.
Simon went on to deal with his and the Surrey Cricket Foundation’s role at grass roots level. The Foundation operates as part of Surrey County Cricket Club and gives support to clubs, schools and communities by providing funding, knowledge, coaching and competitions throughout Surrey.
Their goal is to get more people playing cricket which in can only go a long way to improve the health and well being of the recreational game.
He also reported on the success of the “chance to shine” the inner- city initiative which since 2008 has engaged well over 20,000 youth people to the game