Club News

2021 Subscription Fee Discount

All members who renew their membership for 2021 will receive a 10% discount on their 2021 annual fee.

The Chairman, Ben Cussons, said in an email to members: “Throughout the crisis, I have been heartened by the messages of support I have received from many members, including some generously offering an additional financial contribution. As a Club and a mutual organisation, we are in a stronger position than commercial organisations, in that you have shown true understanding of what is required to support our Club through thick and thin.

“I have always held the view that this is one of the most compelling features of the Club; that we are a members’ club, owned by and managed by members for members, rather than for the benefit of external shareholders. In good times, members reap the rewards of membership with the Club’s Tuesday 5 January outstanding range of facilities and quality of services, improving year-on-year with surpluses being reinvested in the Club. In lean times, members have always taken shared responsibility to help the Club recover.

“As I was pleased to announce at the AGM, the Board has decided that, as a result of swift and decisive actions and prudent cost control, we are now in a position to provide all members with a 10% discount off next year’s subscription fees in order to encourage you to renew your membership. To put this into perspective, this measure could reduce our membership revenue by up to £3m in 2021, but our judgement is that, having taken account of the future financial risks, this is affordable and the right thing to do – to thank you for your fortitude and loyalty in these challenging times.”

Membership Renewal

This winter, you will once again be able to renew your membership online.

By the end of November all members for whom we have an email address will receive their invitation to renew in an email and the pro forma invoice will be attached.

Further reminders to look out for your renewal email will be provided nearer the time, but for now please go to the ‘My Account’ area of the Club website and check that we have an up-to-date email address for you and that your Direct Debit

Members who have asked for paper monthly statements or who have not registered an email address with the Club will receive their renewal notice by post. The Club Sale

details are correct.

Save the date now for the next Club Sale, offering members the chance to book overnight stays at discounted rates. Further details to follow.

VAT Reduction

Members can continue to enjoy lower prices in the Club’s restaurants thanks to the reduction of certain VAT rates from 20 per cent to 5 per cent. This saving is being reflected in full in the Club’s prices. The Government has announced that the temporary reduction will last until at least 31 March 2021.

AGM

For the first time, the Club’s Annual General Meeting was conducted online, with the Board on camera in Pall Mall and more than 250 members logging in. Members were also able to vote by proxy online or by post.

Held on Thursday 17 September, the AGM approved the 2019 Annual Report and Accounts and the reappointment of Gordon Ballard, Elizabeth Bishop and Ben Cussons to the Board.

The Chairmen of the Pall Mall, Woodcote Park, and Motoring Committees each reported on their areas of responsibility and their speeches can be seen in full on the Club website.

The Chairman, Ben Cussons, reported that in 2019 the Club had achieved a good financial performance despite the political instability and economic uncertainty as the country wrestled with Brexit, with Club Social Media The Club’s social media channels are attracting a growing following, showcasing highlights of life at the Club for current and potential members and staff.

Look out for regular posts about events and activities taking place around the clubhouses, interesting facts about our heritage and behind-thescenes views of the team hard at work. Whether we’re posting about the latest guest chef in a Club restaurant or showcasing a new treatment or cocktail creation, following our social media is a great way to keep up-todate with what’s happening at the Club.

You can find us using the links on the homepage of the Club website or on Twitter @RoyalAutomobile and on Facebook and Instagram @royalautomobileclub. revenues of £49.4m (an 1.6% increase on 2018) and an EBITDA of £8.3m. The membership renewal rate at the start of 2020 was 95.7% and the waiting list was strong.

Moving on to the events of 2020, the Chairman stated that the Club’s current financial position is stable due to early and decisive actions taken to manage the crisis and, in part, to government assistance. The clubhouses were shut down by the government on 20 March and measures were immediately put in place to protect our staff, preserve our facilities, and conserve cash by freezing recruitment and cancelling all uncommitted non-essential capital projects. During lockdown, online activities, classes and coaching were provided and then the Club’s physical facilities were reopened as soon as possible.

The Chairman concluded by saying: “Whilst the current financial situation is not without its perils, we believe that we are well placed to ride out the storm. We remain cautious, particularly as there is no obvious end date for the situation that we find ourselves in. For the time being, we continue to focus on containing costs, conserving funds and providing a wide range of excellent facilities in a safe environment. I encourage you to come and visit your Club, where you can enjoy high quality service and a warm welcome from our friendly staff.”

The questions from members covered a broad range of topics, including membership fees, capital projects, Pall Mall sports facilities and the plans for

motoring events.

Benjafield’s Racing Club hold first Double Twelve since 1931

The 1920s and 1930s were a halcyon period for endurance racing. In 1923 the ACO (Automobile Club de l’Ouest) inaugurated the Le Mans 24 hour race, now the most famous motor race of all time. The British embraced the idea and the JCC (Junior Car Club) paid homage to it by creating The Double Twelve Hour Race. It was so-called because night time noise restrictions forbade 24 hour racing at Brooklands, so the event was divided into two daylight sessions with the cars being locked up overnight.

Last held in 1931, the Double Twelve was won by Freddie March and C S Staniland in an MG Midget and the trophy they were awarded resides in the Pall Mall clubhouse.

On the weekend of 18-20 September, Benjafield’s Racing Club created history when 25 vintage Bentleys took to the historic Goodwood circuit to recreate the drama and excitement of the Double Twelve for the first time in 89 years. Racing for eight hours a day with the cars locked in parc ferme overnight, the enthusiastic racers, including Club members Martin Overington, Gregor Fisken, Jim Clark, Nigel Batchelor, Bert Dagenaar, Bill Cleyndert, William Medcalf and Christian Hore, battled for the glory of receiving the famous trophy from the grandson of the last winner and Club Vice-President His Grace, The Duke of Richmond.

The winner on handicap was a Bentley 4.5 litre driven by Simon Arscott and Graham Dodridge, whilst the award for the greatest distance driven went to William Medcalf and Nick Swift.

Concours of Elegance

On Saturday 5 September, the Royal Automobile Club presented the Club Trophy to the exquisite 1962 Messerschmitt KR200 at the Concours of Elegance at Hampton Court Palace.

Owner Dave Watson from Bedfordshire was awarded the Trophy by Club President HRH Prince Michael of Kent, despite stiff competition.

The humble Messerschmitt KR200 might not have been an obvious choice for many. The three-wheeled bubble car was designed by the aircraft engineer Fritz Fend and produced in the factory of the German aircraft manufacturer Messerschmitt from 1955 to 1964. This particular example was first registered in 1962 in Brighton. Its current owner purchased the vehicle as a non-running wreck in 2005 and underwent an eleven-year fastidious bare metal restoration.

Peter Read, Chairman of the Club’s Motoring Committee and Chairman of the judging panel explained: “The Messerschmitt is one of the finest examples the judges have ever seen. We were particularly impressed with the meticulous attention to detail in

In Memoriam

Mrs Ann Rooks 09/05/27–03/03/20

Mr Antony Cowling 02/01/36–14/03/20

Mr William Muddyman 27/12/37–06/05/20

Mr Peter Gallant 01/06/44-25/05/20 the restoration. The owner has managed to restore and retain as many of the original components as possible. Where parts were unobtainable, he researched and accurately handmade them himself to complete perfection. It really is a world class restoration.”

Messerschmitt KR200 owner Dave Watson with Peter Read, Chairman of the Royal Automobile Club’s Motoring Committee, photography by Philmitt Photography

Mr Ian Taylor 07/02/56–08/06/20

Mr John David Howell-Jones 01/06/36–10/06/20

Mr Christopher Neville 20/02/40–15/06/20

Sir John Perring 07/07/31–21/06/20

Mr Peter Warner 15/11/63–22/06/20 Mr Anthony Watkinson 14/11/39–29/06/20

Mr David Harris 20/09/42–07/07/20

Mr David Bowler 15/01/45–20/07/20

Mrs Barbara Williams 29/05/48–20/07/20

Sir Harold Evans 28/06/28-23/09/20

Christmas & New Year Opening Times The clubhouses will be open as usual except as follows.

PALL MALL

Closed from 4.00pm on Wednesday 23 December until: Sports Facilities and the Club Room

Open on Monday 28 to Wednesday 30 December, 10.00am until 6.00pm

Open on New Year’s Eve, 10.00am until 4.00pm

Open on Saturday 2 January, 10.00am until 8:00pm

Open as usual from Sunday 3 January Restaurants and Bars

The Brooklands Room: open at 12noon from Saturday 2 January

The Long Bar, Great Gallery and Cocktail Bar: open as usual from Monday 4 January

WOODCOTE PARK

Please note that some facilities will be open in addition to the following but only for residents. Fountain Brasserie and 19th Hole

Christmas Day – Only open for lunch (reservations only)

New Year’s Eve – Open as usual until 4.00pm, then only for members who have booked the New Year’s Eve Dinner Stirling’s

Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day and Sunday 27 December – Open for lunch

Monday 28 December to Tuesday 5 January - Closed Lounge

Christmas Eve – Closed 5.30-7.30pm

Christmas Day – Open as usual except drinks only from 6.00pm

New Year’s Eve – Open as usual until 4.00pm, then only for members who have booked the New Year’s Eve Dinner

Cedars Sports

Christmas Eve – Open 8.00am until 4.00pm

Christmas Day - Closed all day

Boxing Day – Open 9.00am until 5.00pm

Sunday 27 and Monday 28 December – Open 8.00am-8.00pm

New Year’s Eve – Open 8.00am until 4.00pm

New Year’s Day – Open 9.00am until 5.00pm

Golf

Courses – Closed all day on Christmas Day

Reception – Closed all day on Christmas Day and from 1.00pm on Christmas Eve, 26 to 28 December, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day

Club Shop

Closed all day on Christmas Day New Year’s Day – Open 8:00am until 2:00pm