Area Annual General Meeting 22 November 2025
The Area Council meeting followed by the AGM will take place on Saturday 22 November at the Folk Hall, New Earswick, York. The Council meeting will commence at 11am followed by the AGM at 1pm. There will be a break of approximately 1 hour for lunch, so please bring your own refreshments.
The Representatives' Reports and signed Annual Accounts are available to download below.
The Representatives' Reports and signed Annual Accounts are available to download below.
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Area Demonstrators' Test Saturday 26 July 2025 - UPDATED 27 July
An extremely successful Demonstrators' Test took place at Stockton on the Forest Village Hall on Saturday 26 July, the chief adjudicator being Margaret Rumens of South Midlands area.
Below is an image taken at the end of the day. "Our" (North East Area) candidates' names are in bold.
Left to right:
Rita Braithwaite (area chairman), Ann Simpson (area secretary), Rachel Kirkwood (candidate, Driffield FC and Beverley FC, holding the basket), Nicola Robson (candidate, Ilkley FC), Geraldine Carter (candidate, Halifax FC), Sally Wardell (candidate, Whitby FC); Hilary Gilmore (candidate, Sheffield FC North Midlands area), Sue Spencer, North East Area Demonstrators' Representative), Cate White (candidate, Headingley at Bramhope FC), Carolyn Drury (candidate, Epworth FC North Midlands area), Sarah Atwell (candidate, Epworth FC North Midlands area), Janine Gray (candidate, Halifax FC).
Prior to the successful candidates' names appearing in the area lists, if any programme secretary wishes to contact any of them please can they contact Sue Spencer in the first instance (her address is in the area booklet)
Latest news is that ALL the North East Area candidates passed. Congratulations to them all.
Below is an image taken at the end of the day. "Our" (North East Area) candidates' names are in bold.
Left to right:
Rita Braithwaite (area chairman), Ann Simpson (area secretary), Rachel Kirkwood (candidate, Driffield FC and Beverley FC, holding the basket), Nicola Robson (candidate, Ilkley FC), Geraldine Carter (candidate, Halifax FC), Sally Wardell (candidate, Whitby FC); Hilary Gilmore (candidate, Sheffield FC North Midlands area), Sue Spencer, North East Area Demonstrators' Representative), Cate White (candidate, Headingley at Bramhope FC), Carolyn Drury (candidate, Epworth FC North Midlands area), Sarah Atwell (candidate, Epworth FC North Midlands area), Janine Gray (candidate, Halifax FC).
Prior to the successful candidates' names appearing in the area lists, if any programme secretary wishes to contact any of them please can they contact Sue Spencer in the first instance (her address is in the area booklet)
Latest news is that ALL the North East Area candidates passed. Congratulations to them all.
Area Council Minutes, Quarterly Financial Reports etc can all be found in the "Links and Downloads" page of this website.
North East Area Annual General Meeting 2024
Below are some images taken at the 2024 AGM held at New Earswick Folk Hall on 16 November 2024.
During the 2024 AGM and before the changes of office. From L-R: Sue Guilliatt (Treasurer), Ann Simpson (Secretary), Janet Ratcliffe (President) Sheila Drybrough (Chairman), Rita Braithwaite (Vice Chairman), Mary Holmes (Second Vice Chairman)
Sheila Drybrough the outgoing Area Chairman welcoming Rita Braithwaite into office
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Janet Ratcliffe presenting Sheila Drybrough with her retirement gift of a watch.
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Rita Braithwaite presenting Mary Holmes with her Vice Chairman badge of office.
Outgoing President Janet Ratcliffe welcoming Sheila Drybrough as Deputy Judges' Representative
Two members of York FC, Marilyn Ingle (L) and Marilyn Kirkham (R) congratulate Rita Braithwaite, also from York FC upon her Chairmanship
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Mary Holmes presenting Jean Hawkins the new Second Vice Chairman with her badge of office
Presentation by Diana Smith of Spen Valley FC to outgoing Area Chairman Sheila Drybrough
Lynn Naylor and Geraldine Carter presenting flowers to fellow Halifax FC member Janet Ratcliffe on her retiring as Area President.
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The Chairman's Letter Spring 2025
We are past the dark and dankness of the shortest day and we start to look forward to exciting things to come. Colourful catalogues tempt us to find another corner for growing. Holiday brochures have us planning to travel. Yes, Spring is a time for optimism.
The Schedule for Harrogate Spring Show can be downloaded from the Harrogate Shows website. The show is our greatest shop window for our arranging talents. If you have never shown this is the place to start. You will find plenty of support among your fellow exhibitors. If not competing do come along, to say hello at the Area Trading Stand and to see a riot of colour and be amazed at the ingenuity of competitors. April 24th to 27th.
Another schedule to watch out for is for the NAFAS Nationals being held for the second time in the splendid Gloucester Cathedral. Unfortunately, the date clashes with our competition at Harrogate Autumn Show (September 19th to 21st) The schedule of our classes will be available at the Spring Show. Where will you choose to go? A tough decision to be made.
Many of our clubs will be holding their AGM, what can you do to help in your club? It is an old but very true adage “the more you put in, the more you get out”.
The Area is starting training new demonstrators, do support our fledgling talent. Everyone has to begin somewhere and it’s good to see them develop and grow. There will be tickets available for Mock Tests (7th June) and Tests (26th July) Keep the dates in mind.
I look forward to meeting many of you at The Area Luncheon on June 25th, The Parsonage, Escrick is our much enjoyed venue.
We have much to look forward to in our clubs and our Area in 2025.
Whatever your hopes and aspirations are, I wish you well.
Rita
Rita Braithwaite
Area Chairman
The Schedule for Harrogate Spring Show can be downloaded from the Harrogate Shows website. The show is our greatest shop window for our arranging talents. If you have never shown this is the place to start. You will find plenty of support among your fellow exhibitors. If not competing do come along, to say hello at the Area Trading Stand and to see a riot of colour and be amazed at the ingenuity of competitors. April 24th to 27th.
Another schedule to watch out for is for the NAFAS Nationals being held for the second time in the splendid Gloucester Cathedral. Unfortunately, the date clashes with our competition at Harrogate Autumn Show (September 19th to 21st) The schedule of our classes will be available at the Spring Show. Where will you choose to go? A tough decision to be made.
Many of our clubs will be holding their AGM, what can you do to help in your club? It is an old but very true adage “the more you put in, the more you get out”.
The Area is starting training new demonstrators, do support our fledgling talent. Everyone has to begin somewhere and it’s good to see them develop and grow. There will be tickets available for Mock Tests (7th June) and Tests (26th July) Keep the dates in mind.
I look forward to meeting many of you at The Area Luncheon on June 25th, The Parsonage, Escrick is our much enjoyed venue.
We have much to look forward to in our clubs and our Area in 2025.
Whatever your hopes and aspirations are, I wish you well.
Rita
Rita Braithwaite
Area Chairman