The meeting was chaired by the Master Andrew Craddock, who welcomed everybody to the meeting in the Priory Hall. Supported by the Honorary General Secretary Steve Castle, the Honorary General Treasurer Michael Bubb and the Minute Secretary Francis Mitchell, he started proceedings at 3.30 pm by asking Canon Barry Fry to say a prayer.
As all the hoped for judges had been otherwise engaged, Andrew Byford had judged the Guild Inter-District striking competition himself with Doug Boniface. Six teams entered this year’s contest, held at Ringwood earlier in the day. They all rang Major.
The result of the competition was:
| 1. | Alton & Petersfield District | 44 faults | ||
| 2. | Winchester District | 45 faults | ||
| 3. | Portsmouth District | 51.5 faults | ||
| 4. | Christchurch& Southampton District | 72 faults | ||
| 5. | Channel Islands District | 86 faults | ||
| 6. | Andover District | 101.5 faults |
The Guild Master Andrew Craddock presented the trophy to Roger Barber on behalf of the winning team.
The following 68 members signed the attendance book: Viv Nobbs (Arreton), Angela Athawes and Keith Walpole (St. Michael, Basingstoke), Roy LeMarechal (Bishopstoke), Dorothy & Colin Cherrett (St. John, Bournemouth), Mike Goss and Simon Lipscombe (Burghclere), Marie Boniface, Rachel & Andrew Byford, and Mark Esbester (Catherington), Angela Fernandes, Lester Ruckley and Ann Shelley (Christchurch), Andrew Banks and Roger Barber (Hawkley), Trevor Hubbard, and Faith & Tony Webster (Hordle), Sue & Andrew Craddock, Christine, Katie & Rosemary Hill, Tessa & Tony Smith, and Richard Thompson (Hursley), Jen Churchill (Lockerley), Francis Mitchell and Carolyn Wright (Netley), Phil Watts (North Stoneham), Elizabeth & John Davey (Ringwood), Lizzy Asbury, Jonathan Hetherington and Rosemary Oakeshott (Romsey), Peter Routier (St. Helier), Colin Belsey, Justin Read and Sarah Reeves (St. John, Jersey), Chris Caryer, Joanne Knight, Brian Oakes and Liz Thornton (St. Mary Bourne), Phil Lenfestey and Richard Pearson (S. Pierre du Bois), Maureen Kelly and June Mitchell (Shanklin), Andrew Case & Richard Case, and Betty Daysh (Shedfield), Mary Tester (Shorwell), Val Cleaver (Sopley), Barry Fry (Southampton), Mo & Hugh Routh (Steep), Charlotte Colliss (Swanmore), Barbara Townsend & Mike Winterbourne (Tangley), Michael Bubb and David Strong (Vale), John Colliss and Jack Walters (Winchester Cathedral), Margaret & David Forder, and Steve Castle (Unattached) and guest Michael Rogerson (Cheam).
Apologies were presented from: Rex Corke, Michael Church, John & Joyce Croft, Gilian Davis, Carrie Eisenhauer, Gill Gardiner, Peter Hill, Ruth & Derek Jackson, Elizabeth Johnson, Sue Park, Theo Parsons, Les & Prisca Tremeer and the N. Stoneham band.
The meeting stood in silence to remember: Peter Cumberland of Micheldever, George E Evenden (LM) of Southampton City Centre, Richard Green (LM) of Swanmore, John H Hunt (LM) of Southwick, Hazel Jonson of Froxfield, Monica Mason of Lymington, Gladys Matcham (LM) of Eling, Steve McKenna of Purbrook, Kevin Mintram of Netley Abbey, Mandy Treneer-Michell of Thruxton, and Fred Webster of Lymington.
Minutes of the 2005 AGM at St Peter Port, Guernsey had been circulated to all towers via District Secretaries. Their acceptance was proposed by Mike Winterbourne, seconded by Phil Watts and agreed unopposed by the meeting. They were signed by the Master as a true record.
There were no matters arising.
Keith Sansom and David Forder will achieve 50 years membership in 2006 and automatically become Life Members.
A proposal to confer Life Membership on Brian Oakes for outstanding service to the Guild was proposed by Barbara Townsend on behalf of the Executive Committee, seconded by Phil Watts and passed unopposed.
The new Life Members were congratulated by the Guild Master.
The Master named each report published in the Guild Report, invited questions and proposed acceptance en bloc. Their acceptance was proposed by John Davey, seconded by Mark Esbester and passed with no questions asked and no votes against.
Mike Winterbourne took the opportunity to thank all the helpers who made Education Days possible.
Phil Watts reported on this year’s Central council meeting at Leicester on 29 May, where the Guild was represented by Michael Church, Hugh Routh, Tony Smith and Phil Watts. He expressed his condolences to Mike Winterbourne who had to leave earlier in the weekend due to a family illness. Phil mentioned some of the items likely to be of interest to Guild members:
The annual subscription to the Central Council of Church Bell Ringers from affiliated Societies will rise to £20 per representative. This will cost our Guild £100, which was thought to be good value;
New committees can now be staffed as soon as they are created, rather than having to wait a year before they can formally start work;
Trustees have now been appointed for the Dove database, now the Council has responsibility for it;
The report of the Committee for Redundant Bells attracted some adverse comment. The Admin Committee is to examine the role of this committee with regard to all the committees relating to bell maintenance and restoration;
There was also adverse comment on the long service of Tony Smith as chairman of the Methods Committee, which drew strong support for Tony from the members of the Council;
The Tower Stewardship Committee are preparing guidance to help towers keep safe and legal in respect of legislation such as Health & Safety and Child Protection, breach of which could affect Insurance cover.
Phil Watts (Sales and Marketing Director of Ringing World Ltd) reported on the Annual Meeting of the Ringing World, where Andrew Nicholson had retired as Financial Director with the company in a stable financial position. Chris Rogers was appointed to replace him. Thanks were expressed to Guild member Paul Trend who is shortly to retire as General Manager of The Ringing World. It may soon be possible to pay Ringing World subscriptions by Direct Debit.
Tony Smith reported on the open meeting on Ringing Training. The Education Committee has created the Framework for training ringers, which is available on the CCCBR website and gives headings designed to help instructors teach ringing legally and responsibly.
There were no questions regarding the BRF Report and Accounts, acceptance of which was proposed by Barry Fry, seconded by Jonathan Hetherington and passed with no votes against.
Mark Esbester informed the meeting that three requests for grants, had been received for presentation for approval at this AGM:
Herriard - The unringable three are to be restored and augmented to six for a cost of £37,000.
The BRF Trustees recommended a grant of £4,000.
This was seconded by Barry Fry and passed with no votes against.
North Stoneham - Remedial work to the frame is planned to make the ring of 10 easier to handle.
A cost of £17,000 has been derived from previous estimates dating from 2000.
The BRF Trustees requested more details on work to be undertaken before recommending a grant.
Romsey Abbey - Removal of old bell frame(s) to the Foundry for testing and restoration with possible installation of new frame foundation and perhaps retune the 8 bells for a cost of £163,000.
The BRF Trustees requested more details on work to be undertaken before recommending a grant.
Andrew Craddock outlined the role of Vice-Master who would usually be expected to subsequently stand for election as Guild Master.
June Mitchell was proposed by Viv Nobbs and seconded by Mary Tester.
David Strong was proposed by Tony Smith and seconded by Colin Belsey.
Both candidates were congratulated on the strength of their nominations and thanked for their commitment to the Guild. After a secret ballot David Strong was declared elected by 37 votes to 26.
The Guild Master thanked all the committee members who had done a tremendous job for the last 3 years.
Andy Banks, Roger Barber, William Bickers-Jones, John Davey, John David (corresponding member), Hugh Routh and Ray Walsh were proposed by Phil Watts, seconded by Barry Fry and elected with no votes against.
Phil Watts has now been appointed Winchester Diocesan DAC Bell Advisor. He was thanked for leading the Belfry Stewardship Committee since its inception. Tributes were paid to the previous Bell Adviser Graham Grant for his hard work and valued advice. The Guild General Secretary was asked to send him a letter of thanks.
Rachel Barber, Ruth Cooper, Rob Forster, Andy Ingram, Sallie Ingram, Ian Partridge, Ben Waterson and Margaret Winterbourne were proposed by Mike Winterbourne. Mike Winterbourne was proposed by Andy Banks. They were all seconded by Roger Barber and elected with no votes against.
Colin Cook and Ian McCallion were proposed by David Forder.
David Forder was proposed by Mark Esbester.
Rosemary Oakshott was proposed by Ian McCallion.
They were all seconded by Jonathan Hetherington and elected with no votes against.
Sue Craddock was proposed by Jack Walters, seconded by John Davey and elected with no votes against.
Adam Greenley was proposed by Steve Castle, seconded by Barbara Townsend and elected with no votes against.
June Mitchell was proposed by Phil Watts, seconded by Mike Winterbourne and elected with no votes against.
Guild garments are still being ordered by Janet Chatfield of Bishops Waltham.
The next Education Days are on 23 October and 18 November 2006.
The Interdistrict 10 bell striking competition is at Whitchurch on 2 September 2006.
This will be held in the Portsmouth District on Saturday 7 July 2007.
Sue Craddock asked whether Guild members really wanted a Guild Dinner as it was a lot of effort to organise for the relatively low number of 70 attendees. There were expressions of support for a Guildwide dinner from many members present and suggestions that those who always attended should bring someone else next year, that another attempt be made to get each District represented on the Social Committee to help boost ticket sales, and that tickets be sold at District meetings.
Tony Smith proposed “There should be an Annual Guild Dinner”. This was seconded by Roy Le Marechal and passed with no votes against.
It is intended to hold the 2007 Guild Dinner in the Portsmouth District.
Tony Smith gave notice that he would not be standing for re-election as Guild Librarian and Archivist at the next AGM.
David Strong, the newly elected Vice-Master, gave notice that he would not be standing for re-election as Guild Report Editor at the next AGM. He offered prospective candidates for the post the opportunity of assisting with the production of the next report.
Keith Walpole reported on the current enthusiasm for Bell restoration and augmentation in the Basingstoke District, and gave more information on the Herriard augmentation to six.
There being no further business, Andrew Craddock thanked the Christchurch and Southampton District for organising this successful day, the clergy and tower captains for making the bells available, the ladies for the tea which we were about to enjoy, and all those present for attending. He closed the meeting at 5.01 p.m.
The meeting was followed by the W&P 200 Club prize draw.