At the 2025 AGM, I was given the opportunity to remind Fellows and Members that so much of what we do now, and what we plan to do in the future, is and will be funded by bequest.

What also became clear is that many of you have already made provision in a Will to leave some part of your estate, to the Royal Institute of Navigation – Thank You!  If you have mentioned the RIN in your Will, to whatever degree, please let the team know by emailing admin@rin.org.uk and myself. And while we do not ask what sum or percentage of your estate you have bequeathed, planning that bequest in your Will, and letting us know brings to you membership of the RIN’s Great Circle.

The Great Circle allows you to wear a distinctive badge, designed to encourage enquiry, promotion, and an increase in membership of that Great Circle. I’ll be providing more detail of that in the next edition of Navigation News. But until then, please ensure that you have made a Will; if not, you can gain further detail from a range of suppliers – The Law Society, Citizens Advice Bureau, from Gov.uk websites, even the Co-Op! And please, encourage all your Fellows and Members to make a Will. Without a Will, we do not get anything you may have wanted to leave to the RIN to continue our essential work; and without a Will, the Government will take a large share of whatever you had!

Written by Capt James Taylor