The meeting was chaired by the Master Andrew Craddock, who was supported by the Honorary General Secretary Steve Castle, the Honorary General Treasurer Michael Bubb and the Minute Secretary Francis Mitchell. He started proceedings at 3.35 pm by asking Canon Barry Fry to say a prayer.
The Master welcomed everybody to the meeting in St Peter’s Church, especially Rev David Cawley the author of “The Church Bells of the Channel Islands” which was available for sale for the first time today. He thanked all the Guild Officers who were standing down before the elections and thanked all concerned in the Portsmouth District for organising the day including the tea.
The master announced the results of the 8-bell Inter-District Striking Competition held at Upham earlier in the day:
| 1. | Portsmouth District | |
| 2. | Alton & Petersfield District | |
| 3. | Winchester District |
Also taking part were Christchurch & Southampton District and Isle of Wight District.
The following 50 members signed the attendance book: Janet & Norman Chatfield, Doreen Hawton, Paula Mundy and Heather Pollard (Bishop’s Waltham), Marie Boniface, Rachel & Andrew Byford, and Mark Esbester (Catherington), Teresa Brown (East Tisted), Derek Jackson (Eling), Andrew Banks and Roger Barber (Hawkley), Sue & Andrew Craddock. Tony Smith, and Pam & Richard Thompson (Hursley), Francis Mitchell (Netley), Phil Watts (North Stoneham), Jan Allnutt, Roy Grayson and Allan Yalden (Purbrook), John Davey (Ringwood), Lizzy Asbury and Jonathan Hetherington (Romsey), Rachael Barber and Marguerite Bickers-Jones (Selborne), Maureen Kelly and June Mitchell (Shanklin), Andrew Case (Shedfield), Mary Tester (Shorwell), Steve Castle and Barry Fry (Southampton), Brian Oakes (St. Mary Bourne), Charlotte Colliss (Swanmore), Mike Winterbourne (Tangley), Helen Baverstock (Titchfield), Michael Church (Upton Grey), Michael Bubb and David Strong (Vale), John Colliss, Caroline Eisenhauer, Graham Grant, Peter Niblett and Jack Walters (Winchester Cathedral), Alan Buswell, and Joyce & John Croft (Unattached) and guest David Cawley (Leicester).
Apologies were presented from:
Anne Bailey, Jen Churchill, Val Cleaver, Gill Gardner, Gill & Fred Hales, David Hill, Andrew & Sallie Ingram, Ruth Jackson, Eileen Jayne-Wood, Elizabeth Johnson, Viv & Graham Nobbs, Rosemary Oakeshott, Barbara Townsend, Ray Walsh, Margaret Winterbourne.
The meeting stood in silence to remember: Ruth Burrows of Micheldever, Reg Cockle (LM) of Bishops Waltham, John Huggins of Old Alresford, Ann Hunt of Catherington, J Michael Lakin of Winchester, Hazel Mitchell of Sherborne St John, John E Spice of Winchester and Leslie A Tremeer (LM) of New Alresford and Jersey.
Minutes of the 2006 AGM at Christchurch Priory had been circulated to all towers via District Secretaries. Their acceptance was proposed by Tony Smith, seconded by Mike Winterbourne and agreed unopposed. They were signed by the Master as a true record.
There were no matters arising.
Alan Buswell and Joan & Ron Pike will achieve 50 years membership in 2007 and automatically become life members. They were congratulated by the Guild Master who presented their life member certificates.
For each report published in the Guild Report (in alphabetical order), the Master invited questions, asked for a proposer and a seconder and requested the meeting to vote on their acceptance.
Belfry Stewardship Committee Report was proposed by John Davey, seconded by Andy Banks and adopted with no votes against.
Education Committee Report was proposed by John Croft, seconded by Marguerite Bickers-Jones and adopted with no votes against. Mike Winterbourne thanked the helpers who made Education Days possible.
Librarian & Archivist’s Report was proposed by Tony Smith, seconded by Mike Winterbourne and adopted with no votes against.
Peal Recorder’s Report was proposed by Roger Barber, seconded by Mark Esbester and adopted with no votes against.
Communications Committee Report was proposed by John Davey, seconded by Mike Winterbourne and adopted with no votes against.
Secretary’s Report was proposed by Steve Castle, seconded by Roger Barber and adopted with no votes against.
Striking Competition Committee Report was proposed by John Croft, seconded by Phil Watts and adopted with no votes against.
Treasurer’s Report was proposed by Mike Bubb, seconded by Phil Watts and adopted with no votes against.
Mark Esbester queried the need to formally accept the reports when they had already been agreed by the Executive Committee and published in the Guild Report.
Tony Smith reported on this year’s Central Council meeting where the Guild was represented by Michael Church, Hugh Routh, Tony Smith, Phil Watts and Mike Winterbourne. He mentioned some items likely to be of interest to Guild members:
The Ringing Foundation, to promote Public Relations, recruitment and training;
The next Ringing Roadshow on 5-6 September 2008 at Stoneleigh Park in Warwickshire.
Andrew Craddock thanked Tony and expressed the Guild’s gratitude for the work of the Central Council.
There were no questions regarding the BRF Report and Accounts, acceptance of which was proposed by Tony Smith, seconded by Charlotte Colliss and passed with no votes against.
Mark Esbester informed the meeting that five requests for grants had been assessed by the BRF and were being presented for approval at this AGM:
Froxfield - Rehang the six bells in a new frame. Cost £46,300 proposed grant £5,000;
Hannington - Retune the three bells and rehang in a new six bell frame. Cost £45,000 grant £5,000;
St John Jersey - Rehang in the existing frame. No grant proposed. The Trustees were unable to recommend a grant due to the funds already available for the work.
North Stoneham - Stabilisation of the frame and corrective work to ensure the bells can be rung satisfactorily by an inexperienced band. Cost £20,000 proposed grant £3,000;
Romsey - Major work to rehang the eight with minimal tuning. Cost approx £150,000 grant £7,500;
John Davey proposed these grants be approved, seconded by Andy Banks and agreed unopposed.
Phil Watts thanked the Guild and the BRF for the grant to North Stoneham.
Tony Smith congratulated Mark Esbester on his long service as a BRF trustee since 1976.
David Strong was proposed by Derek Jackson, seconded by Mike Bubb and elected unopposed. He was presented with the badge of office by the retiring Master, Andrew Craddock who continued to chair the remainder of the meeting.
There were no nominations. Volunteers are required within the next 12 months.
Pam Thompson was proposed by Tony Smith, seconded by Mike Winterbourne and elected unopposed.
Steve Castle was thanked by the Master for his efforts as Secretary.
Michael Bubb was proposed by John Davey, seconded by Jack Walters and elected unopposed.
Michael Bubb was congratulated for performing an outstanding job since 1986.
As there were no other candidates, Francis Mitchell agreed to stand again. He was proposed by Mike Bubb, seconded by Roger Barber and elected unopposed.
Andrew Case was proposed by Mark Esbester, seconded by Roger Barber and elected unopposed.
Jack Walters was proposed by Steve Castle, seconded by Mike Bubb and elected unopposed.
Jonathan Hetherington was proposed by John Davey, seconded by Derek Jackson and elected unopposed.
Bruce Purvis was proposed by Jack Walters, seconded by Peter Niblett and elected unopposed.
No candidates were proposed for this post. David Strong described what was involved and appealed for all Districts to try and find someone to do this vital job.
Andrew Craddock was proposed by Mike Bubb, seconded by Mike Winterbourne and elected unopposed.
Peter Clarke was proposed by Mike Bubb, seconded by Mike Winterbourne and elected unopposed.
Michael Church was proposed by Tony Smith, seconded by John Collis and elected unopposed.
Tony Smith was proposed by Michael Church, seconded by Jon Hetherington and elected unopposed.
Mike Winterbourne was proposed by Brian Oakes, seconded by Roger Barber and elected unopposed.
Peter Niblett was proposed by Tony Smith, seconded by Graham Grant and elected unopposed.
Michael Church spoke of the vital work being carried out by the Guild representatives on Central Council committees. He highlighted Tony Smith’s long service and his forthcoming candidature as President of the Central Council of Church Bell Ringers.
There being no further nominations, the vacancy for the fifth representative would be referred to the Executive Committee with the suggestion that one of the senior Guild officials may wish to fill this role.
Sue Craddock suggested 17 May 2008 as a suitable date and asked for ideas as to venue and format.
The dedication of the augmented ring of eight at Selborne is set for Thursday 27 September 2008.
This will be held in the Winchester District on Saturday 5 July 2008.
Jack Walters announced that the book “Church Bells of the Channel Islands” has been printed and was on sale for the first time today at £14.95, profits will go to the Guild Bell Restoration Fund. Jack introduced the author, Rev David Cawley who thanked the Guild for taking on the task of publishing this book and achieving a fine result. He particularly thanked Jack and the other Guild officers and members involved over the years in its creation and publication.
Mike Winterbourne recommended the Executive Committee to consider Mark Esbester for Honorary Life Membership after his outstanding service to the Guild over many years.
There being no further business, The retiring Master Andrew Craddock closed the meeting at 4.45 p.m.
The meeting was followed by the W&P 200 Club prize draw.