ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING : 3rd JUNE 2025
League Chairman Peter White reported on another good season’s
table tennis at the Annual General Meeting of the Clacton and
District Table Tennis League this week.
A new Club and four additional teams had been a positive for the
League, the Handicap Cup had produced excellent competition
and a competitive final, while the Closed Championships had once
again proved popular, with well over half of the League’s regular
players entering at least one event.
In her second report as League Secretary, Isabel Barton said it
had been a straightforward year without major problems, and she
thanked Management Committee members for their continued
help and support.
Press and Records Secretary Tony Oswick said it had been
pleasing to see four additional teams in the League, largely due to
the formation of the new Holland Club, the first new Club to join
the League since 1999. He congratulated and thanked Dave
Wright for doing this.
Mark Gale, the League’s Tournament Officer, said that both the
Handicap Singles and Closed Championships had been successful,
with particularly good entries from lower Division players. The
Closed itself had once again proved an excellent and well-
organised event, culminating in some top-class finals.
Treasurer John Barton reported on a healthy financial position.
The League was especially grateful to Gary Cattermole of The
Survey Initiative for his continued generous sponsorship of the
Closed Championships. However, as a result of an increase in
Essex County team fees, he was recommending a small increase
in League team fees to £20.
Coaching Officer Martin Edwards said the Monday night Junior
Coaching and Adult Practice sessions continued to attract good

attendances from both junior and senior players, and he thanked
the loyal band of coaches and helpers who helped every week.
The success of the two Brotherhood teams of juniors, who’d
finished in the top two places in Division Three, had been an
excellent achievement.
Three Rule changes were agreed. The qualification for the Closed
Championships is to be reduced to 25% of League matches
played; the League Rule regarding the maximum number of times
a reserve can play up (four times) was clarified to avoid
confusion; and from 2026/27, the role of Press and Records
Secretary is to be split between a Results and Records Secretary,
and a Media Officer.
The Bob Phillips Trophy for services to the League was awarded
this year to John Barton. John is one of the longest-serving
players in the League, having played every season since 1974/75.
He had been a loyal supporter of the League throughout, entering
tournaments and often acting as Team Secretary. In more recent
years, he had become involved in the management of the League,
as Windsor Club Chairman, League Treasurer and, most recently,
as League Vice-Chairman. He had also taken a lead in up-dating
the League Rules, acted as a reserve for the TT Leagues
administrator and become involved in the organisation of the
Closed Championships. All-in-all, a well-deserved recipient of the
award.
For only the second time in forty years, the Brian Hogg Trophy,
an award for a junior player of whom the League is proud, was
made to a team rather than an individual. In their third season as
players, but their second playing together as a team, Tom
Bryden, Lucy Carvell, Ruby Gallagher and Joe Sherwin of
Brotherhood F had dominated Division Three, conceding only
twenty-five points in winning the title. But as well as showing
continued improvement, they all support League tournaments
enthusiastically and, when attending outside events, such as the
Essex Trials and Essex Schools Finals, are excellent ambassadors
for our League.
Trophies for the 2024/25 season were presented by new League
President, Jenny Higgins, to Division One winners Nomads
Panthers, runners-up Nomads Lions; Division Two winners
Windsor Buzzards, runners-up Brotherhood C; Division Three
winners Brotherhood F, runners-up Brotherhood H.
Officers elected for the 2025/26 season were: President, Jenny
Higgins; Chairman, Peter White; Vice-Chairman, John Barton;

Secretary, Isabel Barton; Treasurer, John Barton; Press and
Records Secretary, Tony Oswick; Tournament Officer, Mark Gale;
Development Officer, Ferdy Rodriguez; Coaching Officer, Martin
Edwards; Minutes Secretary, Isabel Barton; TT Leagues
Administrator, Gavin Price; Welfare Officer, Jenny Higgins; Voting
Committee members, Grace Andrews, Sharon Gowlett, Bob Jillins,
Felipe Rodriguez, Gerry Widnell, Dave Wright; Independent
Financial Examiner, Sue Gallone.

Brotherhood F