NWRC – THE WAY AHEAD
A REPORT ON THE CLUB AGM & QUESTIONNAIRE FEEBBACK

This year's AGM was arguably one of the most important for many
years. Membership in the year fell by 10 to 334 although club
activities, especially preview nights, were not as well supported in
2005, resulting in a deficit for the year of £1062 reducing our
reserves to only £1900. Clearly this position cannot be sustained
much longer without firm action thus during 2006 the club will need
to cut costs in several areas as well as growing its membership
levels back towards the 400 mark.

The following areas were discussed and decisions taken at the AGM
which will be implemented in 2006 as soon as possible.

MEMBERSHIP

The questionnaire revealed that 95% of members feel the subs are
either too cheap or about right thus we don't really want to
increase these except as a last resort i.e. if the cost cutting
alone is insufficient. Only a handful of members would resist
payment by bankers order in future thus whilst not making this
method as mandatory the 10% discount will remain in future to
encourage members to renew by bankers order thus reducing the
administration burden for the membership secretary in future years.
The 5 year and life membership options are generally well understood
by members although a reminder will be published each year at
renewal time.

There were numerous good ideas suggested by members for encouraging
new members to join the club and a sub committee (Phil Evans, Dave
Bates & Guy Weaver) will look at these early in the New Year to
establish which can be progressed. If you can spare a little time to
assist with this project please contact any of the above in the New
Year as I'm sure a few extra pairs of hands will be useful from time
to time.

One immediate initiative agreed at the AGM was to launch a
new `introduce a friend' scheme with immediate effect. From 1st
December 2005 to 1st November 2006 introductions of new members will
be recorded with the member introducing the most members in the year
having a race named in their honour during the following year! All
other members introducing at least 5 new members will also receive a
free year's subscription as a `thank you'.

NEWSLETTER

Mark & Olwen Bevan has been involved in producing the magazine for
the last 20 years although prior to the AGM the club was advised
that after the December/January edition Mark would no longer be able
to continue his involvement in the production of Racin. The AGM
passed a vote of thanks to the Bevan's for their past services
received.

The production of the newsletter has historically been absorbing
the bulk of the annual subscriptions thus the committee has been
discussing ways of reducing the cost of producing the newsletter in
future to contain to within around 50% of members subs thus freeing
up funds to support other club events which are not always self
funded.

Based on the questionnaire responses the vast majority of members
feel that the current frequency is about right thus we did not wish
to tinker with this to save costs by say reducing to quarterly.

As from February 2006 the production of Racin will be moved in house
with Ken Unsworth taking up the role of editor and printer now! Some
additional computer equipment has been needed to take this forward
but the long term savings will more than compensate for this. Whilst
the size of the publication will probably vary in future this will
depend on the volume of articles submitted to Ken thus members are
again encouraged to submit items more frequently in 2006!

In future years the club may be able to make further savings if
members are willing to receive their newsletter via e mail although
further research will be required before taking this forward.

CLUB DINNER

Due to Dave Kay being indisposed for a large part of December it has
not been possible to arrange the usual February dinner in 2006
although as advertised in Racin there will be an alternative dinner
arranged at Belle Vue Stadium on Saturday 25th Feb 2006.

It is hoped to revive the traditionally racing dinner in early
September 2006 with Brian Goodwill volunteering to assist in this
respect.

Due to the termination of the NWRA this will reduce the likely
number of people attending by up to 25 (sponsors, guests, prize
winners etc) thus a smaller venue may be appropriate based on the
questionnaire feedback.

PREV IEW NIGHTS

Cheltenham remains the most popular preview night followed by
Aintree based on actual attendances in 2005 and the questionnaire
feedback. The most popular racecourse venue by far was Haydock Park
and whilst the preferred town venue was not as conclusive Warrington
came out top of the poll.

For 2006 it was agreed that Cheltenham & Aintree previews would be
held at Haydock (room permitting) after which the other previews
would be held at suitable smaller venues.

The admission prices will be advised by the Committee in 2006 but
are likely to be as indicated in the questionnaire i.e. £5 at
racecourse venue, £3/4 at other venues.

By moving the less well attended previews to smaller venues this
will help eradicate the large losses incurred at several of these
events in 2005.

As regards the suggestions for other forms of meetings these were
generally mixed ideas with no clear consensus hence until the club's
finances allow we shall probably store these ideas for future use.

STABLE VISITS

Helen Fraser reported that arranging these events with 7 day a week
racing is still difficult although where possible trips will be
arranged at some of the preferred stables in 2006.

The turnouts for such events remains encouraging albeit it is
notable that members rarely want to travel for longer than an hour
to a stable thus this tends to restrict our options unless we
arrange a visit jointly with another racing club.

COMPETITIONS

The entries for the Alex Bird competition were generally lower this
year which reflects the lower turnout at some of the preview nights.
The suggestions made in the questionnaire have been passed onto Alan
Preston for consideration in 2006.

The 2005-2006 Saturday Naps challenge has seen a 33% rise in entries
from last year which is very encouraging.

OWNERSHIP GROUPS

Whilst there were a total of 19 possible owners in 2006 we really
need around 30 to make this viable. As such we shall again encourage
members to join one of our affiliated syndicates in 2006 along with
other NWRC members.

SPONSORED RACEDAYS

Good turnouts seen at Haydock Racedays but others in 2005 were less
well supported. The questionnaire revealed the preferred tracks as
follows: 1) Haydock, 2) Bangor,
3) Chester & 4) Carlisle. Next came Aintree & Cartmel although we
have been unable to secure races at these tracks for the last few
years.

The AGM approved supporting 4 races in 2006 initially. The first of
these will be at Haydock on Easter Saturday 15th April (there is no
race available for us on Peter Marsh Chase day next January)

RACING TRIPS & HOLIDAYS

Again we see a diverse interest from our members based on the
questionnaire feedback there is no one trip that is likely to be
popular enough to arrange directly via the club thus we shall
continue to join forces with other racing tour operators in 2006.
The Arc and Irish racing trips fared best in the poll.




CLUB NAME

The proposal to change the club name to Northern Racing Club was
carried unanimously at the AGM and this will be adopted with effect
from 1st March 2006. The member's poll revealed 51% positively in
favour, 33% with no preference and 16% against the change.

Whilst it is clearly a wrench to change the name used for the last
26 years as it can be seen from the earlier remarks the club needs
to expand its membership base, especially in the North of our
region, where Cumbria, Northumberland and Scottish members remain
somewhat remote from many of the core club activities. It is hoped
that by expanding into the North East region that this will create a
larger group of members in the North with a commensurate increase in
club activities – albeit this may take a few years to fully achieve
the potential available.

Clearly retaining the old NWRC name would have restricted this
objective and hopefully those dissenting members will be assured
that this change will not adversely affect their ability to enjoy
club events in future.

CLUB CONSTITUTION

The draft constitution was adopted at the AGM with immediate effect
although will be updated wef 1st March 2006 to reflect the impending
change of name. Members can obtain a copy of the constitution by
sending a written request plus SAE to NWRC at 53 Dalebrook Rd, Sale,
M33 3LB or via the club's web site at www.northwestracingclub.info

OTHER MATTERS

Whilst NWRC has sought club discounts at specific meetings in the
past under the new Northern Racing Club banner we are currently
negotiating with at least 5 tracks to launch a new `Discount Card'
in 2006 which will give members discounted entry at certain fixtures
next year.

At the time of writing positive interest has been indicated by
Haydock Park, Hexham, Carlisle, Cartmel & Redcar.

Further details will be released early next year.

ELECTION OF COMMITTEE

The existing committee was re-elected en bloc with no new committee
members volunteering for election. Kieran Rowbottom continues in his
existing role under the new title of Chairman with Phil Evans taking
role of Deputy Chairman. Ray Squire remains as Membership Secretary
and Richard Mattinson as Treasurer. Other members re-elected are Ken
Unsworth, Alan Preston, Guy Weaver, Helen Fraser, Dave Kay, Dave
Bates & Lesley Lowe.