Please find below a copy of the minutes from the Benwell Hill 2026 Annual General Meeting (AGM) which was held on 23rd February.
Attendees:
S Lunn (Chair), S Williamson (secretary), H Dyson (vice chairman), W Dawson (Treasurer), P Haves, B Pearson, A Dawson, G Haxon, B Angus, T Williamson, T McVinnie, M Avery, M Hynd, C Pounder, P Brown, M Maclauchlan, M Williamson, S Frisken, A Chapman
Meeting commenced at 7:15 pm with a moment of silence and reflection was held for members and friends of Benwell Hill who had sadly passed away in the previous year.
1. Apologies received from:
PJ Nicholson, WJ Smalley, B Evans, R Gibson, D Archbold, P Bell, M Wright, A Heather, D McKay
2. Consideration of 2025 AGM Minutes:
2025 AGM (20/2/2025) – the minutes from 2025 AGM were agreed as accurate reflection of what took place in the February 2025 meeting. Larry Dawson reminded the meeting attendees that there were no nominations for role of assistant treasurer at the 2025 AGM, and this was a far from ideal situation if it continued and encouraged members any interested members to come forward. Scott Williamson agreed to approach James Walder (not present at the meeting) to see if he would be interested.
3. Chairman's Report:
Simon welcomeed everyone to what he believed to be 143rd Benwell Hill AGM since the formation of the Club back in 1883. He said this was based on the assumption that AGM’s took place back in the pre-war years, although there was a “pi** off” response from the President when Simon asked to confirm this.
Simon Lunn provided all attendees with a copy of his view of the pevious year, these are published on the Website News section, see Chairmans News - March 2026.
4. Vice Chairman's Update
Hugh Dyson confirmed he was stepping down as Vice Chairman and from the Board of Directors, but would remain on the General Committee, he expressed his thanks for many happy memories over past 60 years, Simon thanked him for his huge contributions to BHCC over that time.
5. Consideration of Annual Accounts for 2024/2025:
Club Treasurer Larry Dawson provided a precis of the Club Accounts for 2024/25. He explained the financial position between the Limited company and the CIC, in terms of the Limited Co. gives a donation to the CIC equal to the profits it has made in the year.
Benwell Hill Limited – looks after bar and social events. Any profit from Limited company goes to the CIC as a donation, this was £60k (it was £69k in previous year). Main contribution for the lower figure were the purchases of new furniture and various repair bills. The CIC loss in past year was £632, this was a reduction on the previous year loss of over £5k.
Bank accounts currently stand around £45k, this is a more positive position than same time last year. Larry thanked two main sponsors Multi Connect Communications (kit sponsor) and NBMS (ground sponsor), plus the significant sponsorship contribution from Jellyfish for women and girls kit.
6. Election of Officers, General Committee Members, Cricket Captains and Vice-Captains:
- President: Tom Williamson – nominated by Simon Lunn, seconded Hugh Dyson
- Cricket Secretary: Scott Williamson - nominated by Simon Lunn, seconded Tom McVinnie
- Membership Secretary: Gordon Haxon - nominated by Barry Peason, seconded Andy Dawson
- Ground Secretary: Max Williamson - nominated by Andrew Dawson, seconded Matty Hynd
- Fixture Secretary: Andrew Dawson - nominated by Simon Lunn, seconded Max Williamson
- House and Social Secretary: Phil Haves - nominated by Simon Lunn, seconded Scott Williamson
- Treasurer: Larry Dawson - nominated by Simon Lunn, seconded Hugh Dyson
- Assistant Treasurer: James Walder - nominated by Scott Williamson, seconded Andrew Dawson
- Squash Secretary: Martin Avery - nominated by Simon Lunn, seconded Tom McVinnie
- Assistant Squash Secretary: Pete Brown – nominated by Martin Avery, Seconded by Tom McVinnie
- 1st XI Captain: Phill Bell – nominated by Cricket Committee
- 1st XI Vice Captain: Max Williamson – nominated by Cricket Committee
- 2nd XI Captain: Joe Fletcher – nominated by Andrew Dawson, seconded by Chris Pounder
- 2nd XI Vice Captain: Pete Jones – nominated by Simon Lunn, seconded by Max Williamson
- NTCL 3rd XI Captain: Chris Pounder – nominated by Phil Haves, seconded by Barry Pearson
- NTCL 3rd XI Vice Captain: James Walder – nominated by Chris Pounder, seconded by Barry Pearson
- NEPL 3rd XI Captain: Matty Hynd – nominated by Barry Pearson, seconded by Andy Dawson
- NEPL 3rd XI Vice Captain: Position TBC
- Ladies Captain: Amy Chapman – nominated by Barry Pearson, seconded Scott WIlliamson
- Ladies Vice Captain: Nicky Baguley – nominated by Amy Chapman, seconded by Andy Dawson
All Officer positions above, as well as the Head of Senior Cricket (Phil Nicholson) and Life Members pre 2020 qualify for membership to the General Committee.
In addition, the following people were elected/re-elected to General Committee:
- General Committee (re-elected on block):
- D Archbold
- B Angus
- S Frisken
- M Wright
- R Gibson
- T McVinnie
- D Haxon
- General Committee (new members):
- B Evans – nominated by Phil Haves, seconded by Tom McVinnie
- M Maclauchlan – nominated by Andy Dawson, seconded by Max Williamson
The following sub committees were also agreed:
- Cricket Selection Committee: P Haves and A Dawson remain from last season alongside P Nicholson and the Captains and Vice Captains of each team. Barry Pearson was nominated by Andy Dawson and seconded by Matty Hynd to replace David McKay who indicated he did not wish to stand for 2026.
- Squash Committee: Martin Avery, Pete Brown were re-elected - nominated by Simon Lunn, seconded by Tom McVinnie.
7. Election of Benwell Hill CIC and Limited Company Board Members
This will be confirmed at the first General Committee Meeting following confirmation of Chairman role for coming year.
8. Any other business
Subject of Girls cricket and getting help with Girls Dynamos coaching event which will last for at least 8 weeks for 8-11 girls. It was confirmed overseas player David Christie plus coaches, Andy Jewett, Barry Pearson, as well as Ben Cant and Rachel Cant we be supervising involved. This will take place on Tuesday evenings in the summer.
Hugh Dyson brought up subject of Will donations, and mentioned the generous contribution of £1k in Nick Craig will to Benwell Hill. It was agreed that we should ‘remind’ members that BHCC would be an excellent place to make contributions in their Wills, as it will help safeguard the future of the Club for many years to come.
Subject of dangerous pot holes in car park brought up, Phil Haves confirmed this is in plan to be dealt with before season starts.
The meeting was closed by Simon Lunn, who thanked everyone for their attendance, meeting ended at approximately 8:25pm.
