2011 is rapidly drawing to a close, bringing to an end an exciting and successful year for our three areas, and the RSA as a whole. It has certainly been a busy year, with more projects, events and governance than you can shake a stick at, and 2012 promises to be even bigger and busier I think!

There have been numerous highlights over the year – the launch of the Cultural Partnership in the North East; the series of events themed around David Hume in Scotland, particularly at…

Sports Direct Arena?

I must admit to rather choking on my toast this morning as I saw the news of St James’ Park, home of Newcastle United FC, being renamed as the Sports Direct Arena. Commercial branding of stadia has become a recurring trend in recent years (e.g. The Emirates for Arsenal, Etihad for Man City and the Reebok for Bolton), however there has been a presumption that certain names were off limits. It was inconceivable that proud stadia such as Anfield, Old Trafford…

Chances are that next time you see me I'll be looking slightly different!

Along with some of my colleagues at the RSA, I have decided to participate in Movember to raise money for charity.  For those not familiar with this innovative charity, it is an annual fundraiser where gents grow moustaches during the month of November, sacrificing  their personal looks and vanity in order to raise money and awareness for various aspects of mens' health.  Given that I have a "face for…

Covering three diverse areas as I do, I get to attend three different AGMs over the course of the year. My trilogy kicked off last night in Newcastle with the 2011 AGM for RSA NE, and I am delighted to say that it was an incredibly positive, inspiring and quite frankly enjoyable night to attend.

As we all know, AGMs can often be bureaucratic necessities, exercises in governance which lack a wider appeal for those not concerned with sexy things like minutes and motions.…

You should have received the Notice for the AGM to be held on Wednesday 5 October 2011. There are important resolutions that have been put forward by the Board of Trustees and Fellows this year.

If you are attending the AGM we encourage you to register. If you are unable to attend please nominate a proxy and cast your…