After an unhappy year the ACU&S; seem to be back on course with new faces up for election after the discourse between Barrie Stuart- King and David Burden, which at one time threatened to split the Association. European umpires may have been on the periphary of events but as most are members of the Association the events of the last 8 months will not have gone unnoticed.

Lord Griffiths of Govilon, MC, President of the Association made the follwing statement quoted from "How's That?" the umpires bimonthly journal;

"As members will be aware there has been a good deal of acrimonious dissent amongst the membership.

Today General Council considered the situation and received the report of the Committee of Enquiry set up to consider certain alleged financial irregularities in the conduct of the Associations affairs. At the request of the General Council, I chaired todays meeting.

General Council has today accepted the resignations of Mr Barrie Stuart-King and Mr David Burden as officers of the Association, which were tendered in the best interests of the Assocation so that it may move forward under new leadership untainted by past dissention and struggles. It is my earnest hope that the membership will now unite under the new Chairmanship of Mr Geoff Lowden, and draw a line under the unhappy events of the summer.

In due course a further detailed synopsis of the Committee of Enquiry will be made available to the membership."

Signed
Lord Griffiths of Govilon
22 October 2005

The ACU&S; are recognised as the body for administration and examination of umpires and scorers throughout the UK and further afield including Europe and several Dutch umpires make the yearly pilgrimage to show a European face at the meeting. This year it is scheduled to be in the Long Room at Lords on Saturday March 25th starting at 14.00

The nominations are as follows;

Chairman- Mr G Lowden
General Secretary- Mr K A Say
Deputy Chairman- Mr M J Cornwell

All members should note that one of the motions up for approval is;

"That from 1 November 2006 subscriptions be:

Qualified members ₤24 (₤ 22 by Dircet Debit)
Other members ₤ 22 (₤ 20 by Direct Debit)
New Members under 16 ₤2
Affiliated Organisations ₤15.

So when you receive your ballot papers do not forget to vote!

Even more interesting was a further snippet in "How's That?";

"Just before "How's That?" went to press the Treasurer, Peter Freeman and I (Geoff Lowden) requested a meeting with ECB Financial director Brian Havill, to discuss matters relating to the ACU&S; financial situation. However, Frank Kemp and Hugh Morris also attended the meeting. Surprisingly, without any notification ECB officers proposed that the ACU&S; should become part of the ECB structure in a version similar to the ECB Coaches Association. ECB were unable to provide any details relating to their proposals, so we requested such. Upon receipt of the relevant details and when they have been discussed by the Executive and General Council we will advise Members accordingly."

An interesting proposal and good to see that the Association is forging ahead and being approached by the ECB.