Royal Naval Writers Association Annual General Meeting
Friday 10 October 2025 @ 1730 at the Royal Maritime Hotel
Present
Colin Hughes (CH) – President
Pat Prior (PP) – Vice President and Treasurer
Lyn Gannon (LG) – Secretary
Brenda Ryan – Membership Secretary
Tony Mason (TM) – Committee Member
David Spicer – Committee Member
Greta Grindell – Member
Elaine Binks – Member
Mark Yates – Member
Peter Danks – Member
Robert Millard – Member
Shirley Magill – Member
Patrick Magill – Member
Bill Whaley – Member
Jane Adams – Member
Gill Walby – Member
Kathryn Simmons – Member
Phil Mountain – Member
Committee Member Apologies
Tony Webber
James Donaldson
Martyn Cornish (Web Manager)
Member Apologies
Ian Freegard
Crossed the Bar
Lt Cdr B G Norris Dave Mullet
Pam Miles Chris Hayward
Ellen Worthy (nee Childs) Daphne Jones
Richard Vigar Ian McLean
Phillip Kerr Jenny Sharp
Nigel Bancroft Mick Tavendale
David McBirnie Lesley McCarthy
Steve Montgomery Alec Lumb
Ignatius Fanning Dorothy McIlroy
Susan Lacey Gerry McGuire
Joseph Moynihan Jim Tuplin
John Phillips Mavis Gilmore
Iain Sinclair Bob Lynn
Philip Carlick Katrina Plummer
Minutes of the Last Meeting (Friday 10 October 2024)
There being no comments from attendees, the minutes were proposed by Tony Mason and seconded by Greta Grindell.
Brenda Ryan and Martyn Cornish – Confirmation
Both co-opted members were confirmed in their posts.
New Committee Members
CH said that as of today 10th October 2025 all the Committee were available for re-election except for the Vice President. As of tomorrow, I reluctantly accept the resignation of Tony Mason and wish him every success in his civic duties and thanked him for his work as a Committee member. The Association had received one volunteer namely Ian McHugh and asked for a vote of acceptance which was carried.
Treasurers Report
PP said that the balance in the account was £6036.43 – this would reduce after effecting payment for the dinner. £4003.87 was held in a savings account to try and get some interest.
Unfortunately, Treasurers accounts have now become subject to charges – Just over £4 per month and 50p for every cheque/cash paid in or out. The RNWA was not eligible for charitable status. It is proposed to counteract this, any member sending cheques in will be required to add a further £1 on to the amount sending in. Proposed by Lyn Gannon, seconded by Bill Whaley, and agreed by AGM attendees.
Members who currently send cheques in for fees, dinner etc, please note electronic payments are preferred.
BR reported the following:
Membership Report for AGM Oct 2025
New Members since Oct 2024: 34
We have lost a few members this year due to crossing the bar and those that have lapsed or resigned their memberships for differing reasons.
the membership is still increasing steadily which is great news with a net difference in membership of +15.
Total Membership (After allowance for those that have lapsed/resigned or CtB since October 2024):
|
Honorary Life |
Life |
Members |
Totals |
|
3 |
27 |
303 |
333 |
Subscriptions/Standing Orders
Wherever possible we would ask members to pay their annual subscription fees by standing order or bank transfer, as the bank charges for cheques have increased significantly and we may need to ask for the members who continue to pay by cheque to cover these fees in addition to their annual subscription.
There are still several members where we appear to have not received subs for the current year – I will be contacting them over the next month to advise that if we do not receive them within by the end of the year then their memberships will be lapsed.
Bill Whaley asked for confirmation of Life Membership – it is 50 years membership. All members can buy back missing years if they wish.
Rules and Regulations
CH said that the paper for the details of Cenotaph applications/attendance had been circulated. The Secretary was the focal point and would attend. If either the P or VP cannot attend, another member would be nominated. Tickets to march would be on a first come first served basis.
Proposed by Pat Prior, seconded by Robert Millard.
Election of Officials
TM said people were voted in at the AGM but voting them in to positions should be done at the next meeting – President, Chairman, Vice Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer, Membership Secretary and Web Manager – this would happen at the meeting in November.
TM suggested making CH Honorary Life President. This was proposed by Tony Mason, seconded by Pat Prior, and agreed by attendees. There would no longer be a Vice President role.
There would now be a vacancy for a new Chairman and Vice Chairman – they can be coopted if necessary – or voted in at the November meeting.
Grand National Tickets
LG said that a great deal of time, effort and expense occurred in sending out tickets – and only half were returned this year. When tickets ran out this year, we allocated virtual numbers. It is proposed that a ticketless draw would take place in future.
Proposed by Lyn Gannon, seconded by Robert Millard, unanimously agreed.
Date of the Next Meeting
Friday 9th October 2026, venue to be confirmed idc.
