Notes about the Fun Day 2025

2025 Follower’s AGM and Annual Meeting – Organised by Charles Knape

This year’s AGM and annual get together was an amazing and wonderful success.
As per last three years we again met up at Warwick University at the Radcliffe Centre for a day of Rupert Fun.

What happened
Sales, Talks and demononstrations…

Throughout the day:

Dealers' Bourse from 9 AM;
Origami demonstrations from 10 AM;
Stuart Trotter signing pre-ordered Rupert Annuals from 10 AM
AGM at 12 Noon;
Raffle: Draw at 4:30 PM
Buffet: 6:30 PM

Talks during the day:

Howard Smith: How Rupert survived the Tourtels
Mark Manley: A Year with Rupert
Stuart Trotter: The Surbiton Train Station Project

These were all extremely well received.

AGM
The absence of John Beck made the AGM seem rather strange but it went well. We held a minutes' silence in recognition and memory of John, and were delighted that his daughter, Melanie, joined us this year. Committee Members were confirmed along with a minor change to the constitution.

The Fun Day:
This year we decided to tailor down the event to just the one day of activity, aiming to go back to the early days where the focus was more social than razzmatazz. With rising prices all around us, this kept the costs of the event down for both members and the Society and allowed us to charge only £15 registration.
We didn't hand out welcome packs in the traditional way: this year’s newly designed Warwick University 2025 badge (one per registration paid) along with any prepaid meal tickets and the day’s programme were available to collect from the Followers’ sales table. Also, we didn't hold any formal events on the Friday evening for the early-birds - although most attendees were to be found in the bar area!

The venue offered us promotional-prices reserved accommodation for the Saturday and the Friday. Those who have stayed at Warwick Uni before will know the facilities are excellent, there were complementary teas, coffees and biscuits and a paying bar. Accommodation, restaurant and the bar are all on the same floor, an easy distance apart which was perfect for those for whom mobility is becoming an issue.

Instead of a Gala Meal on the Saturday evening, there was a 2-course buffet evening meal. The food was excellent and everyone seemed very happy to sit/wander and chat in a totally relaxed atmosphere.

Sellers:
There was the usual bourse on throughout Saturday and many satisfied customers returned home with lightened wallets.

After the usual splendid breakfast, attendees made their way home on the Sunday morning.