RAG CIRCLES
We are fortunate to have an ever-growing list of varied and active Rag Circles here at the Club – each with the purpose of bringing members together through shared interests. From choir and chess, to shooting and sailing, there are plenty of activities to enjoy in good company here at the Club, across the UK, virtually via Zoom and now further afield and beyond our borders. Whether you already have experience, or are a complete novice, you are welcome to join as many of the below Rag Circles as you would like.
We are pleased to introduce the Adventure Circle, a new initiative aimed at connecting members who have a shared interest in travel and adventure. This society will provide a platform for those who enjoy exploring new places and experiencing different cultures, adventurous sports and outdoor activities. Each year, the Adventure Circle will organise a group expedition, allowing members to embark on a unique journey together.
The Rag Golf Society was reconstituted last summer to compete in the London inter-club competition, the Bath Cup, where the team finished fifth out of 16. Following this, the group believed other members might be interested in representing the club in occasional matches and playing at members’ clubs. Recently, four members played at Berkhamsted GC and are planning another match near Reading in September. To gauge interest, members are asked to indicate their preferred frequency, locations, willingness to travel, and playing standard.
THE RAG DEFENCE STUDIES CIRCLE
The Rag Defence Studies Circle will provide a forum within which both current and historic defence issues can be discussed through seminars and relevant site visits in the UK and abroad. If this is something that interests you, contact Mark Spragg for more information.
Captain Billy Duff was a young officer and a gentleman of his time in the early Victorian era. He was colourful, dashing, sociable, free spirited and eccentric. He regularly hosted many supper clubs with his friends and peers in the Coffee Room. These unofficial supper clubs gained momentum, and soon Billy and his friends started to refer to themselves as the ‘Ragamuffins’. These qualities embody the time period when the Club was founded and invokes and synergise with the spirit of this Circle, this is why we have adopted the name Ragamuffins Circle.
The Circle aims to host events which allow members and attendees to socialise with as diverse a group of people as possible and make new friendships and connections. Our events to be colourful, lively and eccentric evoking good conversation, jauntiness and excitement.
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The Rag Club Choir was formed in 2019 and is now composed of around 20 Club Members who enjoy rehearsing both in the Club and online twice a month. All Club Members are welcome to join and rehearsals are generally on the first and third Mondays of each month at 5pm. We sing annually at the Tri-Club Christmas Carol Service at St James’ Piccadilly as well as in less formal settings in and around the Club. Repertoire ranges from liturgical anthems to arrangements of pop songs, so there is something for everyone and no great previous experience is necessary.
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PILATES
Emily is an expert and experienced classical Pilates instructor with over a decade of experience in the industry. With an innate passion for the wellness and fitness worlds, Emily dedicates her time to her valued clients across South West London. Emily is a comprehensive Pilates teacher, teaching both mat and equipment classes. Unwind – Evening Pilates Flow. This Pilates class is offered to all members of The Rag. This is a live class online using Zoom. Tuesdays 6-7pm. The class includes members and non members.
ROVING SHOOTING SYNDICATE
Days spent in the cheery company of two teams of guns emphasise just what it means to be a member of The Rag. Men and women alike from military and non-military backgrounds meet to enjoy each other’s company around a shared interest. The syndicate now has over 80 members on the list and gathers together to shoot between 25 and 30 days per season. They only shoot small bag days and mainly in the South West. Members are invited to join for a wonderful and above all safe season wherever you shoot. To join the ANCRSS please contact member James Cohen.
SAILING
The Army & Navy Club’s Sailing Group is open to all members, offering a variety of sailing activities and social events. Members can participate in UK coastal cruising, day sailing on Folkboats, classic boat experiences, and competitive racing. The group also provides RYA theory courses, access to the Army Sailing Association’s Grebe VIII for qualified skippers, and reciprocal arrangements with other sailing clubs. here!
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The Rag Sailing Circle Minutes
The Rag is pleased to invite players of all levels to join the Tuesday Social Chess Circle. These are informal and friendly occasions that take place at the Rag and are an excellent opportunity to meet other members. If you would like more information or would like to join, please contact member Mike Ross.
Join Member Lizzie McWhirter and like-minded individuals for a discussion on a different award-winning book every six weeks. The discussions are held on a monthly basis and can be attended in person or via Zoom. The beauty of the Rag Book Club is that we get to read and discuss books that we might not necessarily choose to read ourselves, thus widening our horizons on the literary front. Stimulating, friendly, enjoyable and sometimes challenging… that’s the Rag Book Club. If you would like more information or would like to join, please contact member, Lizzie.
On Monday 7 October ( note change of date and time!) The Rag Book Club will meet between 7 and 8.30 pm in the Clive Room to discuss The Feather Thief by Kirk Wallace Johnson.
This will be a hybrid meeting as some of us will be in the Club and some will be joining us online.
We are thrilled to announce our newly established reciprocity with the West London Shooting School in Northolt. Rag members can now access Premium Membership Prices when shooting at the school. Highlights include private lessons, gun fittings, corporate away days and bespoke event packages.
The Army & Navy Club Fly Fishers’ Association (ANCFFA) is a syndicate open to Rag members and provides access to some of the finest chalk stream fishing in the world. They are able to negotiate discounted prices with the huge advantage of offering an attractive variety of fishing on different rivers. Locations include Test on the John Lewis water at Leckford, Itchen at Brambridge, Kennet east of Hungerford, Avon north of Amesbury and Whitewater north of Hook.
For more information about our Rag Circles, please contact the Membership Office:
T: +44 (0)20 7930 9721, E: [email protected]