DESPITE cold and snowy conditions leading to a lower than expected attendance Wellington CC's AGM for 2013 still took place and made the important decisions that will carry the Club forward into 2013.

Eighteen members were able to make it to the meeting with 19 apologies being recorded for absence.

Club Chairman Duncan Short thanked all who had braved the elements to make it to Wellington Arts Centre and delivered his opening remarks - 2012 had been the most successful season in the club's history with a series of awards being won at both senior and junior levels and this success had been celebrated both internally and externally and the club was now very much on the map.

He was also able to report that sponsorship well into four figures has been secured for 2013 and this early declaration of intent from both existing and new sponsors showed that the Club was one that businesses wished to be involved with at this time - he hoped this would rise further.

Also for 2013 it was reported from the Chair that a new Pavilion facility, improved quality square and outfield and second bespoke sight screen was to be on offer to members whose numbers would increase naturally through the creation of a third Saturday side for the first time ever. The backdrop was good for the year ahead it was reported.

Club Secretary David Derrick reported that 2012 was the best season that the Club had ever had on the field of play as the 1st XI were crowned Somerset League Champions and make their way to the West of England Premier League's Somerset Division for the first time since 2002.

The 2nd XI won the Somerset League's Division Four title and will play at their highest level ever in 2013 and only in the past few weeks the club has completed arrangements for a third senior side to play under it's name for the first time ever; thanks were expressed to all who had enabled this to be the case both internally and externally - this side will play at three venues, namely Wellington School (5 games), Wellington Playing Field (3 games) and Nynehead CC (1 game).

Sunday cricket had remained popular and saw a third place in the top section of the Taunton and District Sunday League achieved and the non league sections of the Club's operation was in good health too it was reported.

It was just the weather that had been the thorn in the side of the Club's playing operation as the 2012 season coincided with the wettest summer for a century.

Junior section success had come in the form of league titles for the Under 11s side and Under 15s side in the Taunton and District Youth League's Western Section at these ages and the Under 13s had finished well too and had enjoyed being top of their section at times.

Off the field the work to make Wellington Playing Field Pavilion into a new and modern facility had started and the formation of a Ladies Committee, a Past Players Association, a Diamond Jubilee 20/20 event with local sports clubs descending on the Club and other events all knitted together to make 2012 a year to remember the Secretary concluded.

WCC is as strong a brand off the field as it is on it.

A four figure profit was reported by Club Treasurer Marc Holloway who confirmed a drop in match receipts and visitors teas due to the poor weather of 2012, but fundraising was increased as was sponsorship and already this had being bettered in 2013 as above.

Cash liquidity was confirmed as being of a healthy level that the Treasurer was content to operate with in the current climate, but he advised that prudence was to be exercised all the same.

The meeting agreed to the Management Committee's proposal that all membership categories related to playing be raised by £5 and this was accepted by the meeting - Wellington CC still has some of the lowest such fees and these new levels still represent excellent value for money.

Match fees will be retained at their 2012 levels.

Honoraria equal to the senior membership fee will be awarded where appropriate to the holders of certain Club posts and there were no nominations for Life Membership.

The current block of Officers were all available for re-election and this was accepted by the meeting with no other nominations coming forward, so for 2013 the Club Officer are: President and Financial Verification Officer - Roy Hutchings; Vice Presidents - Re-elected en bloc: Chairman - Duncan Short; Vice Chairman - Simon Spalding; Secretary - David Derrick; Treasurer - Marc Holloway; Fixture Secretary - Steve Symons; Club Welfare Officer - Ivor Mitchell.