ROYAL NAVAL WRITERS’ ASSOCIATION (RNWA)

COMMITTEE AND MEMBERS MEETING

HELD 1900 THURSDAY 20 NOVEMBER 2025

Present

Colin Hughes (CH)               President

Pat Prior (PP)                       Treasurer

Lyn Gannon (LG)                  Secretary

Martyn Cornish (MC)           Webmaster

Jim Donaldson (JD)             Committee Member

Tony Webber (TW)               Committee Member

David Spicer (DS)                Committee Member

Gill Orchard (GO)                 Member

John Glover (JG)                  Member

Adrian Hamilton (AH)          Member

Vicky Hamilton (VH)             Member         

Committee Apologies

Brenda Ryan

Member Apologies

Alf Parr, Bob Gelder, Brian Wead, David Scott, Penny Wallis, Dave Greenway, Lenny Carroll, Sue Walters, Colin Redstone, Greta Grindell and Bob Millard

Crossed the Bar

Details provided since the last meeting:

Jeremy Oliver, Katrina Plummer, Linda Sloggett and Peter Sweeney. A one-minute silence was held.

Minutes of the last meeting 10 September 2025

The minutes of the last meeting were approved – proposed by JD, seconded by DS.

Allocation of Responsibilities

 CH reported that there had been a volunteer to take over the role as Chairman and a potential candidate for Vice Chairman. His role is now as Life President as voted in at the AGM. All current incumbents as Treasurer, Secretary, Membership Secretary and Web Manager are content to continue in their roles.

The Rules and Responsibilities will need amending once the new Chair is in place (potentially at the January meeting).

Treasurer’s Report

PP said that the balance in the current account was £1176.29 with £100 liabilities (renewal of RMH membership and the lottery registration).

She said she had been moving funds into a savings account, which now held £5206.51. The very small amount of interest gained would help offset bank charges.

Update on Reunion Dinner 2025

LG said  83 people had been listed to attend, but the no shows and people cancelling due to illness had brought the attendees down to 78. After expenses, the dinner made a small profit of £46. The evening was a success, plentiful food and wine!

The dinner in 2026 will be at the RMH on Friday 9^th October.

Venue for the 140^th Reunion Dinner in 2027

CH said that historically, every 5 years, the dinner would take place elsewhere. It has been held at the UJC before. London appeared to be a popular venue, so LG agreed to obtain information on holding the dinner in:

UJC
HMS President
or Holiday Inn in Southsea

Once information had been obtained, the committee will be informed to make a decision. The date of this dinner will be discussed – may be subject to a change of normal date.

Membership Report November 2025

New Members since Last Meeting Update

Total Membership (After allowance for those that have lapsed/resigned or CtB since October 2023):

Subscriptions/Standing Orders

Please follow this link to the website, which will show if your subs are overdue and if they are due for the remainder of 2025 https://rnwa.co.uk/members/renewals-due/ .

We have sent 25 letters to members whose subscriptions are 3 months or approaching 3 months overdue, if subscriptions are not received before 31 Dec 2025, then those members will be deemed to have lapsed.

Merchandise

JD said that there was still a good supply of sweatshirts and polo shirts. Information will be placed on the website and in the newsletter coming out next week.

Any Other Business

No items were tabled.

There being no further business the meeting ended at 19.18.

The date of the next meeting is Thursday 15^th January 2026.