ROYAL NAVAL WRITERS’ ASSOCIATION (RNWA)
COMMITTEE AND MEMBERS MEETING
HELD 1900 THURSDAY 20 MARCH 2025
Present
Colin Hughes (CH) President
Pat Prior QVRM (PP) Vice President & Treasurer
Lyn Gannon (LG) Secretary
Brenda Ryan (BR) Membership Secretary
Martyn Cornish (MC) Webmaster
Jim Donaldson (JD) Committee Member
David Spicer (DS) Committee Member
Tony Webber (TW) Committee Member
Ian McHugh (IM) Serving Member
Greta Grindell (GG) Member
Peter Danks (PD) Member
Bob Millard (BM) Member
Adrian Hamilton (AH) Member
Vicky Hamilton (VH) Member
Penny Wallis (PW) Member
John Glover (JG) Member
Gillian Orchard (GO) Member
Member Apologies
Tony Mason
Committee Apologies
Alf Parr, Brian Wead, Christine Senior, David Scott, Chris Haley, Richard Webb, Christopher Bagley, Neil & Steph Durrance.
Crossed the Bar
Details provided since the last meeting:
Alec Lumb, Ignatius Fanning, Lesley McCarthy, Mike Tavendale, Steve Montgomery, Dorothy McIlroy and Susan Lacey. A one-minute silence was held.
Co-opting of Committee Members
Brenda Ryan (new Membership Secretary) and Martyn Cornish (new Webmaster) were co-opted onto the Committee – proposed by LG, seconded by PP.
Minutes of the last meeting 16 January 2025
The minutes of the last meeting were approved – proposed by IM, seconded by PP.
Matters Arising from 16 January 2025
PP to email JD with numbers to order polo shirts – in abeyance (see Merchandise below).
TW’s amendment to rules and regulations regarding the Cenotaph Contingent – details to be sent to all committee members for comment, to be ratified at the AGM.
Treasurer’s Report
PP reported that the current balance is £6805.29. A large payment had been made to the previous webmaster to get the website transferred to the new host. Included in this figure are payments for Grand National Draw tickets(£828) and the annual dinner payments (£1025) received so far. A deposit of £277.50 has been paid to Earth-Anchors Limited for the lectern leaving a little over £830 to pay on delivery at DLSA. A tree has been purchased at a cost of £125 (invoice awaited) and a brass plaque for the bench has been obtained as a donation. True balance held is £4575.99.
PP said that bank accounts for small charities were changing, and we would now be charged a monthly fee and be charged for all transactions – cheques and bank transfers. She was having a meeting with the bank sort out the best way forward for us.
Webmaster
CMC said that a company – 123 – was hosting our website (at a cost) and it was up and running. There may be more expenses to purchase plug ins as he became more experienced with the running of the site. He was encouraged to seek out training – at RNWA cost – to help with this. LG would also be taught how to look after the website as a back-up. BR said that the IT manager at her place of work was willing to give advice – details to be shared.
Tickets Application for this year’s Cenotaph Marchpast
LG said that she had contacted TRBL and had been informed that information would be sent out within the next couple of weeks.
Post Meeting Note Email received the next day and 30 places have been requested. Ticket allocation confirmation is due to be notified to her on 10th June.
Update on Reunion Dinner
LG said that to date, 29 dinner applications had been received.
Guest of Honour 2025
CH had written to Cdr Frances Coles-Hendry, Head of Logistics Training at DLSA, who has agreed to attend.
Membership Secretary Report
BR reported the following:
New Members since Last Meeting Update
| Name | Current/Former Rank/Rate |
| Ian Burke | WO1 WTR |
| Peter Catton | Lt Cdr |
| Pearce Mitchell | AB1 |
| Lesley Tomkins | CPOWWTR |
| Christine Ward | WRN WTR(G) |
| Martin Jackson | LWTR |
| Richard Webb | POWTR |
| Joanne Bouckley | WO2 |
| Phil Halliday | CPOWTR |
Total Membership (After allowance for those that have lapsed/resigned or CtB since October 2023):
| Honorary Life | Life | Members | Totals | ||||
| Nov 24 | Mar 25 | Nov 24 | Mar 25 | Nov 24 | Mar 25 | Nov 24 | Mar 25 |
| 3 | 3 | 27 | 27 | 295 | 301 | 325 | 331 |
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.
GM thanked BR for taking this role on.
Merchandise
JD said that it as proving difficult to contact the supplier – no response to 3 different emails. PP said that details of the supplier to the local RNA were available – higher cost for an embroidered logo (about £25). She had been to a local shop in Gosport but without the artwork, they cannot provide a quote.
AH said that he could provide details for a company in Swansea (provides for the Southwest RNA).
ACTION AH to send details to PP.
JD said he would continue to try and contact our supplier, to get the artwork, but it was likely to cost us and would have an update for the next meeting.
RNWA Memorial Update
CH reported that the lectern had been ordered, and it would be delivered to Peter Amsdon at DLSA. IM said the tree had been purchased, invoice to be forwarded, the plaque had been provided at no cost. Once the lectern was in place, a date will be promulgated for the unveiling, with a selected group of attendees (Committee and invited guests). Numbers will be decreed by DLSA.
Any Other Business
LG reported that a gentleman in USA wished to support us after receiving help obtaining information from George Mytom-Hart BEM, a former RNWA Treasurer. He has sent some $ (all received) with specific instructions on what to spend them on. LG has acknowledged receipt, and CH will send a thank you letter.
IM asked if anybody would like to meet up one lunchtime in the Portsmouth area, now that he has been drafted and is working from West Battery on Whale Island. This was readily welcomed!
There being no further business the meeting ended at 1938.
The date of the next meeting is Thursday 15 May 2025.