Committee Meeting 06-Dec-2025 Minutes
Minutes of the Committee Meeting held on 6th December 2025 by Violet Rook
- Present: Henry Curry, Violet Rook, Vanessa Lester, Gary Carr, Louise Courtney, Ellie Stevenson, Liz Ashcroft, Susan Cartright Smith, John Grieve. (Note: Chris Huck had a technical computer problem and could not join the meeting.)
- Apologies: Jennifer Margrave, Gill Scholey, Kevin Machin.
- Minutes of previous meeting: The secretary checked the minutes with the members. There was a comment from Henry Curry in regard to the timing of the previous meeting, which it was agreed had closed at approximately 8.45 pm. Secretary apologised to Louise Courtney concerning having her accurate email address. Liz Ashcroft advised that Lester was the correct version of Vanessa's surname.
- Matters arising: All items were on the agenda. Secretary indicated these would be dealt with as they arose on the agenda. This included the idea of Vanessa Lester in regard to a Special Membership Offer before Christmas.
- Chairman's report (Chris Huck): Chairman had a technical computer difficulty and could not join the meeting.
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Treasurer's report (Liz Ashcroft): NatWest bank still had not sent details in the post in regard to her request for two further signatories to account. There had been problems setting this process up online. Liz Ashcroft will telephone the bank to check the situation.
Treasurer obtains information from Penny Ellis the previous Treasurer. It is she who paid the prize money and sent the trophies to the winning members in the recent competition. Three trophies were left at the homes of neighbours on the previous day. These were Alison Ringrose, John Glander and David Walton. According to the details from Penny Ellis, £500 was transferred from Paypal to the Current Account in regard to the prize money for the Membership competition.
Total income up to present date: £3,577.92
Total expenditure: £3,339.62
Total in current account: £738.30
Liquidity management 30 day account: £10,172.91 deposit account earning interest.
Interest earned £93.08
There had been £39.29 from Amazon royalties from anthropologies.To questions from Vanessa Lester regarding information about competition results on the website, Liz Ashcroft indicated Kevin Machin had asked for and received these on the day and she had also provided the titles of the members work.
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Membership Secretary's report (Violet Rook): Members were asked to refer to the report sent in regard to membership. This illustrated numbers of members and that reminders were sent to those who did not renew their membership. The secretary indicated that it was sad removing the names of members from the database. A discussion ensured in regard to the length of time before members removal from the database. This varied between six months to two years. The length agreed should be 18 months to 2 years. John Grieve wanted 6 months and wished this to be stated clearly in the minutes.
Gary Carr indicated a list of geographic locations of members would help in regard to future face to face events. Henry Curry referred to the area on the website which showed this aspect. Gary Carr had not seen this.
The Secretary said she would send same and to Gary and others who also request such a list.
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Festivals: A report from a Sub Committee which involved Henry Curry, Gary Carr, Chris Huck, Louise Courtney. Gary Carr mentioned he had had a medical problem the previous two weeks this had slightly delayed the group. He indicated that he had prepared some information and would send to the group. Also mentioned was the need for social media expertise in the future and organisation of events. He said he may receive some advice from a relative. He agreed with the secretary that items such as a podcast, a Youtube channel should be on a future list of ventures.
At this point Henry Curry indicated that Chris Huck had had difficulty when getting onto call.
Vanessa Lester indicated she knew a person at John Moore's University who could help with videos. Liz Ashcroft suggested Simon Whalley would be helpful in regard to workshops. Elle Stevenson asked for more information. It was indicated he was producing three workshops in regard to self-publishing, AI for another organisation.
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Competitions: Liz Ashcroft gave the names of the prize winners of the members' competitions. The same person won the short story and the poetry competition this was Simon Rees Jones. His short story was Shot at Dawn, the poem Camera Clicked. Second place short story was Charles Kitching, third Jan Keegan. The second place winner had been difficult to contact. It was said he maybe traced in the archives. Henry Curry said he had found an email in that regard.
The other poetry results were, Helen Looning Wild Green Thing. Third: I dreamt of my mother, Gwen Box.
Liz Ashcroft also indicated a problem in regard to the members password to the membership page on the NAWG website.
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Secretary: A report had been sent to the committee by the Secretary, she asked if their were any questions. An email from the Chair Chris Huck. This was from a group in Hexham concerning emails from a group called "Editors Groups" querying their membership. Another group also had received these emails. Chris and the Secretary reassured the groups these emails were not from NAWG. Emails were sent out to warn about such a scam. Could members tell their groups please.
A question arose from John Grieve concerning contact details from members of the committee. He had expected a form to complete. The Secretary indicated she had just asked for members to supply details via email. It was up to each individual member to supply the details they wished. This was in reference to a suggestion from Vanessa Lester at the previous meeting concerning a back up system in regard to the work of the NAWG being maintained. John Grieve suggested the situation with Chris Huck was an example.
The Secretary suggested there should be at least a second method of communication other than email between members of the committee.
- Technician's report (Kevin Machin): This had been put online. There were no questions.
- Newsletter report (Violet Rook):
- Editor's report: No report had been received. Any questions could be directed to Steve Bowkett. Henry Curry said he had compiled the most recent edition of the magazine from the material supplied by Steve Bowett. Henry Curry would continued to do so. Lix Ashcroft had sent 35 items to the Editor.
- Online events and courses: Gary Carr said NAWG must illustrate the benefit to members of their membership. This would be the aim of the Sub Committee in regard to future events, workshops both local, nationally on and offline. The Secretary mentioned about Grants and Gary Carr referenced that grants had been given for festivals held at Durham in the past. The need to held promote and encourage digital inclusion was also suggested by the Secretary.
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Any other business: The Secretary asked Vanessa Lester to describe her idea in regard to a Special Membership project before Christmas. Vanessa Lester indicated this would promote a six month membership offer up to 30th June 2026, in an effort to get back some members who had not renewed in July 2025. It would be £25 for groups, £15 for individuals and £10 for students. There would be an exclusive online writing group for individual members only facilitated by a member of the committee.
Susan Cartwright Smith agreed it was a good idea. A writing group online would supply feedback especially in regard to individual members who could not get to face to face writing group meetings. Elle Stevenson agreed. All agreed this needed to be done quickly to which Vanessa said she supply details by the next Monday and would be in contact with Susan Cartwright Smith about social media posts. All communications would be by email to the committee.
The Sectary would sent out information by email to those who had not renewed recently. The information would be put on the website by Kevin Machin.
The Secretary asked what the committee felt about a WhatsApp group. This was agreed to be a good idea. It would be setup within the next few days.
The committee also discussed a Christmas Event to be held on 19th December and a Christmas Quiz on 30th December. There local members would be encouraged to join the events.
- Date and time of next meeting: 10th January 2026 at 4 pm. The Zoom link to be send out by Henry Curry.