This weekend the great and the bad who support the BNP through its Trafalgar Club will try to swell the party’s severely depleted coffers at The Chase, near Ross on Wye.

The annual dinner, held on the weekend nearest to Trafalgar Day, 21 October, is the highlight of the year for the club’s supporters, who contribute at least £15 a month. As well as the dinner and speech by Nick Griffin, the party leader, men receive a tie and women a “personalised organiser file”, though only in the first year.

The club normally holds other events but has been in trouble this year. In August members received their first newsletter for some time, apologising for the “poor service over the last year” and claiming that the ten-year-old club was “working hard to sort out the administrative weaknesses … since Jean stepped down as Secretary”.

“Jean” is Jean Griffin, the BNP leader’s mother. The administrative weaknesses encompassed postal subscription records, outstanding gifts, standing orders and cheques. In spring Nick Griffin promised that the club would be “undergoing a major revamp and expansion later this year in order to raise its profile as the flagship of the Party”, but little appears to have happened.

Unlike at many other venues that the BNP books under a false name, the managers of The Chase are fully aware that the Trafalgar Club is none other than the BNP and helpfully confirmed the booking when a Searchlight investigator called.

Readers might like to seek their views about the racist BNP by giving the hotel a call on 01989 763161. Please ask politely to speak to Colin or Mrs Parcell.
Alternatively drop them an email at  res@chasehotel.co.uk.