FROM COLIN HUGHES – PRESIDENT
Fellow scribes,
Tis the season of mists and mellow fruitfulness, as Keats informs us, but we have not seen much of that so far, do we put that down to climate change, who knows? It is true though that we are fast approaching Christmas when we remember the family and I hope, all things joyful.
The RNWA has had a year to remember for some trials, tribulations and successes, and we are stronger for it. There are changes ahead following on from the AGM e.g. the way we run the Grand National raffle amongst others, but I leave that to our Secretary to explain in more detail.
I would like to thank the Committee for all their support during the year and wish you all, especially those sick or infirm, and your families a very happy and holy Christmas and if possible after Robber Reeves budget a prosperous New Year.
FROM PAT PRIOR – TREASURER
MERCHANDISE
Treat yourself for Christmas:
Sweatshirts (blue with printed RNWA logo) £22.99 inc P&P
Polo shirts (black with embroidered logo) £25.00 inc P&P
Orders to Pat – rnwa.treasurer@gmail.com
LYN GANNON – SECRETARY
RNWA ANNUAL DINNER ON 10th OCTOBER @ ROYAL MARITIME HOTEL
The dinner was another great success, despite a couple of no shows and some cancellations due to illness. Tony Mason and David Spicer held a good raffle with lots of prizes and there were a couple of games of Heads or Tails.
The 139th dinner will be held on Friday 9th October in 2026, at the Royal Maritime Hotel. Preparations are underway, seeking a venue for the 140th dinner in 2027. Historically, every 5 years, the dinner has been held in London, so a couple of venues are being checked out there plus another at the Holiday Inn in Southsea. The date may also change.
RNWA CONTINGENT AT THE CENOTAPH ON SUNDAY 9th NOVEMBER
Although we were allocated 22 tickets this year, 19 applied and 17 marched. It was a lovely day for it. I shall be applying for tickets for next year, come and join us, it is a great day to catch up with people you have not seen for ages.
Attendees this year were: John Donovan, Lyn Gannon, Nigel Coy, Brenda Ryan, Elaine Binks, Sheena McGeorge, Gail Foster, Mick Watt, Andy Arnold, Sarah Jane Adams, Mark Yates, Judi Bushell, Julia Parker, Tracey Poultney, Tony Webber, Mark Whitty, Chris Brier.
GRAND NATIONAL DRAW 2026
As voted in at the AGM, the draw will be a little different next year. It takes a lot of time, effort AND COST to send out 2 books of tickets to all members, over half of which never get returned. So next year, the tickets will be e:tickets. A letter will be sent electronically to all members, for them to email back saying how many books of tickets (£5 per book) are required. Once payment for those tickets has been received in the bank, numbers will be allocated sequentially, starting at 1, and recorded. You can still sell numbers to your relatives/friends, just let me know and I will record their details on the numbers. When it comes to the actual draw, a number generator will select the winners and the horses to go into the prize draw.
This will save on ticket printing costs, envelopes, letters, and postage. If enough enter, the prize money will remain the same or increase, depending on numbers sold.
You’ve got to be in it to win it!!!!!!!
MEMBERSHIP REPORT – BRENDA RYAN
The full membership details are on the minutes of the last meeting which you will have received electronically, currently we are standing at a total membership of 332, please encourage any scribes past or present to join us!
There are quite a few annual subscriptions still outstanding, please check the renewals list on the website, I have now had the chance to do a full reconciliation against the bank account, and letters have been sent to home addresses of those who are still outstanding for this year.
If these fees are not received, we will have to assume that you wish to lapse your membership but if you could confirm this to me by email it would be really appreciated.
I wanted to remind you, that as I am still working, I only carry out membership duties on a Monday or a Friday and there are also times when I am away on those days, so if you don’t hear from me immediately, please bear with me, I promise I will get back to you as soon as I am able. I would say, if you have not heard back from me within 3 weeks, then please do not hesitate to contact me on bnr1@btinternet.com.
