ROYAL NAVAL WRITERS’ ASSOCIATION (RNWA)
COMMITTEE AND MEMBERS MEETING
HELD 1900 THURSDAY 15 MAY 2025
Present
Colin Hughes (CH) President
Pat Prior QVRM (PP) Vice President & Treasurer
Lyn Gannon (LG) Secretary
Jim Donaldson (JD) Committee Member
David Spicer (DS) Committee Member
Adrian Hamilton (AH) Member
Vicky Hamilton (VH) Member
John Glover (JG) Member
Penny Wallis (PW) Member
Greta Grindell (GG) Member
Bob Millard (BM) Member
Christine Senior (CS) Member
Committee Apologies
Tony Mason
Brenda Ryan
Ian McHugh
Martyn Cornish
Tony Webber
Member Apologies
Alf Parr, Brian Wead, Christine Senior, David Scott, Richard Webb, Kathryn Simmons, Greta Grindell, Kym Carr, Tony Coates, Jim Froggatt, Bruce Jeffrey, Mike McGeever, Jed Stone, Mick Watt, John Glover, Julia Appleby
Crossed the Bar
Details provided since the last meeting:
Derek Gawler and Colin Graham Doddington. A one-minute silence was held.
Minutes of the last meeting 15 May 2025
The minutes of the last meeting were approved – proposed by DS, seconded by PP.
Matters Arising from 15 May 2025
TW’s amendment to rules and regulations regarding the Cenotaph Contingent. All agreed, to be ratified at the AGM in October
Treasurer’s Report
PP reported that the balance in the account was £7685.78, plus the £500 deposit paid to RMH for this years’ dinner. This figure includes monies paid for Dinner tickets and the balance of the ring-fenced money for the memorial at DLSA plus benches upkeep. The true balance is £4848.08. With the introduction of bank charges, PP outlined the different accounts and interest paid on them. It was agreed to place £2500 into a 3-month access account, paying 2.83% interest, leaving £2300 in the currently held account.
Proposed by PP, seconded by DS, this was unanimously agreed.
PP stated that 2 charity payments (£25 each) had been made, in memory of members that had crossed the bar.
Tickets Application for this year’s Cenotaph Marchpast
LG said that to date 17 of the 22 places had been taken up. She asked if the closing date of 29 August could be amended to 31 July, to allow these people to book their accommodation and travel arrangements. This was agreed. There was still time for the final 5 places to be filled.
Annual Dinner 2025
LG said that to date, 54 dinner applications had been received. Another Newsletter would be sent out shortly reminding members. She asked if she could spend £100 on raffle prizes to start the raffle table off. This was approved. Depending how many dinner tickets were sold, the prizes for the 2 games of Heads or Tails might be cash, rather than wine. A decision would be made nearer the event.
Membership Secretary Report July 2025
New Members since Last Meeting Update
| Name | Current/Former Rank/Rate |
| Christopher Banks | CPO Wtr |
| Darell Barber | Wtr |
| Robert Hemphill | CPO Wtr |
| Jim More | WO1 |
We also have three other new members in the process of joining.
Total Membership (After allowance for those that have lapsed/resigned or CtB since October 2023):
| Honorary Life | Life | Members | Totals | ||||
| May 25 | July 25 | May 25 | July 25 | May 25 | July 25 | May 25 | July 25 |
| 3 | 3 | 27 | 27 | 300 | 304 | 330 | 334 |
Subscriptions/Standing Orders
There are still quite a few subscriptions/Standing orders outstanding, so please check here https://rnwa.co.uk/members/renewals-due/ on the website to see if you need to renew your subscription.
Merchandise
JD said that the very recent new supplier of embroidered tops had stated he was closing his business. However, JD has found another supplier at very reasonable prices. (£25 inc postage for Polo shirts, £25.99 inc postage for Sweatshirts).
Any Other Business
AH said that he had been made aware of an RNWA Life Member near to him that had moved to a Care home. He was awaiting confirmation from the family so that he could go and visit. CH said he would ring the wife and get her to ring AH. AH agreed to give an update at the next meeting.
There being no further business the meeting ended at 1926.
Due to LG, PP and BR all being unavailable on the proposed date of the next meeting (18 September), the date of the next meeting is WEDNESDAY 10TH SEPTEMBER 2025.