J O U R N A L O F T H E A R M Y & N AV Y C LU B 36 Pall Mall, London, SW1Y 5JN
Issue No. 55 | November 2019
MESSAGE FROM OUR NEW CEO, ROBIN BIDGOOD The old adage ‘Time flies when you are having fun’ surmises perfectly my first three months in post. It is hard to believe this amount of time has already passed, but it has been hugely enjoyable. My sincere thanks to the vast number of Members that have taken the time to say hello, provide feedback or offer up suggestions for what we might do in the future. It is all greatly beneficial to me as we look to steer the Club and Clubhouse into successful times. Please do keep it coming and I promise to keep listening. At the AGM, there were several questions about a gym or use the use of gym facilities. I am delighted to confirm Members now have access to the excellent facilities at the In and Out Club across the square. Full details are available from the website or through the Club Reception, so please do make the most of this arrangement. Your feedback and usage of this facility will help inform us on the demand and business case for any future facilities installed at The Rag. This time of year is a busy time for planning and budgeting for the next financial year. You will have by now received notification of the
modest yet necessary rises in membership subscriptions for 2020. We have managed to keep these lower than originally anticipated because of the upturn in members’ usage of the Club. Please keep making the Club your venue of choice for that specially occasion or working lunch. Yes we have some tough financial challenges at present, but the Board and I believe that by keeping Rag membership at such excellent value, coupled with reasonably priced bedrooms and enticing food from Stuart Hart, we might be able to achieve our target of balancing the books by the next AGM. Your use of the Club is key. Many members have told me how delighted they are to see Paul back in the Smoking Room. He feels he is back home too, so please do come and see him for your favourite tipple. We have a new menu in the Ribbon Bar also. On offer now alongside the firm favourites, are nibbles such as arancini and croquettes, perfect to share with a pre-dinner glass. We have also introduced charcuterie
platters and Ploughman’s boards, either to enjoy alone or share with others. As I said at the AGM, it is clear to me, in the limited time that I have been here, there is so much that unites Club members in terms of shared values, behaviours and beliefs. At its most simple, everyone I speak to wants for very few things: • A respect for the Club’s military heritage and culture • A core food and drink offering that is varied, good quality and represents great value • A place where one can feel as relaxed as one does in one’s own home • A clean room for the night and happy staff • An environment that is open, welcoming, safe and friendly These things will remain at the heart of everything that we do in the coming weeks, months and years, so please do come and enjoy your Club.