The Guild Master - Pete Jordan, supported by Vice-Master - Allan Yalden, Hon. Gen. Treasurer - Helen Woolford and Minute Secretary - Tony Smith, opened the meeting at 4.16 p.m. He welcomed those present and thanked the Rev’d Gordon Randall for taking the service at Holybourne, Andrew Sparling for playing the organ, the Alton & Petersfield District for making the arrangements, and the Guild Officers for their work over the past three years especially those standing down, particularly mentioning Helen Woolford, and then said a prayer.
Simon Edwards from Swindon had judged the Inter-District 8-bell Striking Competition at West Meon that morning. The following results had been announced and certificates presented to the team captains.
| Position | District | Method | Faults | Drawn | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Portsmouth | Grandsire Triples | 20 | 3rd | ||||
| 2nd | Isle of Wight | Grandsire Triples | 30 | 4th | ||||
| 3rd | Alton & Petersfield 1 | Plain Bob Triples | 33 | 1st | ||||
| 4th | Basingstoke | Grandsire Triples | 39 | 5th | ||||
| 5th | Alton & Petersfield 2 | Call changes | 46 | 2nd |
The following 56 members and two guests attended: Jessica & Emma Hornsby, Judy & Andy Sparling, and Andrew Taylor (St. Lawrence, Alton), Alex Blissett, Lynne & Pete Jordan, Stephen Lutener, Charlotte Mossop and Helen Woolford (St. Michael, Basingstoke), Lizzie Colliss (Alverstoke), Simon Poyser (Bentley), Julia Brunt (Bramshott), Barry Fry (Brockenhurst), Marie Boniface (Catherington), Robin Milford (Curdridge), Roger Barber (Hawkley), Andrew Craddock, Tessa & Tony Smith (Hursley), John Palk (Lockerley), Andy, Isla & Erin Ingram (Milford-on-Sea), Roger Booth, Elizabeth & Andrew Johnson (New Alresford), Christine & David Holmes (Overton), Mary Broadbridge, Jacqueline & John Downham, Caroline Welsh and Robin Winkworth (Petersfield), Ian Carey and David Mattingley (Portsmouth Cathedral), Allan Yalden (Purbrook), Elizabeth & John Davey (Ringwood), Jason Clements and Rodney Skinner (Ropley), Viv & Graham Nobbs (Ryde), Rachael Barber and Nick James (Selborne), Chris Ford (Sherfield on Loddon), Steve Castle (Southampton), Maureen Routh (Steep), Charlotte Colliss (Swanmore), Lucy & Michael Church (Upton Grey), John Colliss and Bruce Purvis (Winchester Cathedral), Christine Knights-Whittome (Wonston), John Croft (unattached), Alexander Colliss and Simon Edwards (guests).
Apologies for absence had been received from Peter Rowe and Heather Frazer (St. Michael, Basingstoke), Elizabeth Skinner (Bishopstoke), Kim Matthews (Sacred Heart, Bournemouth), Shân & Adrian Nash (Eversley), Lucy & Mike Hopkins Till (Highclere), Sallie-Louise Ingram (Milford-on-Sea), Phil Watts (North Stoneham), Alan Bentley (Ringwood), Andrew Glover (Romsey), Sue & Paul Bailey, Martin Barnes and Nici Collins (Rotherwick), Matthew Wilks (Shedfield), Mary Tester (Shorwell), Virginia & Martin Budd, and Madge Platt (Silchester), Hugh Routh (Steep), Micki Nadal (Stockbridge), Nicky & John David (Vale), Peter Niblett (Whitchurch), Caroline Fairley and Tricia Spink (Winchester Cathedral).
The meeting remembered members: Andrew W Banks (Hawkley), A Terence Collins (East Meon), George Dowling (LM) (Goodworth Clatford), Doreen Hawton (Upham), Christopher Hurley (Bentworth), James Lumsden (Havant), Martin Morris (Bentworth), Rosemary Oakeshott (Lockerley and East Tytherley), Barbara Townsend (Andover), Rosemary Vears (Buriton), David Vickery (Hannington), Fiona Whittles (Milford-on-Sea); and former members: Brian Billimore (Easton), Anthony P Buttle (Titchfield and the Basingstoke District), Margaret Chapman (Bishopstoke), Rosemary Haviland (Micheldever), Michael R Hilson (Vale and S. Pierre du Bois), Joan Hollier (Easton), Joan Hollis (Chale), Stephen Hyde-Gregory (Fawley), John Mannering (Buriton), Wally F Taylor (Wonston), Gordon West (Bramshott). Barry Fry said a prayer.
The minutes of the 2021 AGM held online were adopted on the proposition of John Palk, seconded by John Davey, and signed by the Master as a true record.
There were no matters arising.
Charlotte Colliss (Swanmore), Christine Holmes (Overton), David Holmes (Overton) and Rodney Skinner (Ropley) had completed fifty years’ ringing membership of the Guild. The Master presented them with their Life Membership certificates (applause).
There were no comments and the reports were adopted en bloc on the proposition of John Davey, seconded by Roger Barber.
The Hon. Gen. Treasurer said the report and accounts had been independently examined and agreed by the Trustees. In answer to a question from Roger Booth, the Hon. Gen. Treasurer said the interest rate on the Central Board of Finance Deposit Fund was 0.85%. Roger pointed out that the Guild was informed of grants made at the Executive meetings but did not ratify them, and queried the statement that the Trustees have no specific investment powers. Barry Fry confirmed that this pro forma statement was correct. Michael Church suggested that technical enquiries should be submitted to the Trustees beforehand so that answers could be prepared. Viv Nobbs disagreed.
David Mattingley said the Trustees met earlier that day and he reported on the outstanding grants: Ecchinswell - completion possibly this month; Brading - completion possibly this year; Twyford - waiting for headstocks; Hawkley - scheduled bells out this month, completion possibly before Christmas; Newton Valence - test ring completed, grant will be paid following BSC sign-off; Ropley - ongoing.
A revised application had been received from Ropley which the Trustees had reviewed and confirmed their original grant. Roger Booth proposed and Rodney Skinner seconded that the grant be increased to £26,750. Following discussion Steve Castle proposed and Nick James seconded Next Business and this was passed.
Allan Yalden gave a brief verbal report and said the minutes were available on the CC website.
An updated paper had been distributed.
Helen Woolford proposed and Pete Jordan seconded, on behalf of the Executive Committee, that the Ringing, Associate and Compounding Member subscriptions should be increased to £15 (£12.50 for Ringing and Associate Members over the age of 60 and £10 for Ringing Members in full-time education), that £4 of each subscription (other than from Probationary Members) should be allocated to the BRF; and that £1 of each subscription (other than from Probationary Members) should be transferred from the Central Fund to the Training and Development Fund. A supporting paper had been distributed and the motion was agreed after an amendment, proposed by Viv Nobbs and seconded by Andrew Craddock, that the amount of each subscription allocated to the BRF should remain at £2, had been defeated. Tony Smith reminded District Treasurers that the increases took effect immediately.
Roger Barber proposed, on behalf of Hawkley and the A&P District, and Viv Nobbs seconded that the Guild contribute to the cost of installing a simulator and dumb bell at Hawkley. A supporting paper had been distributed. The Hon. Gen. Treasurer said the principal officers had approved a 20% grant of £585 from the Training and Development Fund.
Rachael Barber proposed by Roger Barber and seconded by Nick James. The retiring Master invested the new Master with the Master’s Badge (applause) but remained in the chair until the end of the meeting.
Peter Niblett proposed by Pete Jordan and seconded by Andrew Craddock.
Steve Castle proposed by Barry Fry and seconded by Simon Poyser.
Robin Milford proposed by Allan Yalden and seconded by Helen Woolford.
Tony Smith proposed by Viv Nobbs and seconded by Lizzie Colliss.
Ian Carey proposed by Edd Colliss and seconded by David Mattingley.
Bruce Purvis proposed by John Davey and seconded by John Palk.
John Palk proposed by Viv Nobbs and seconded by Bruce Purvis.
Viv Nobbs proposed by Pete Jordan and seconded by Roger Barber.
There were no candidates.
Michael Church, Mike Hopkins Till and Allan Yalden proposed by Pete Jordan and seconded by John Davey. There are two vacancies.
Charlotte Colliss proposed by Tony Smith and seconded by Helen Woolford.
David Mattingley proposed by Roger Barber and seconded by Barry Fry.
Barry Fry proposed by Steve Castle and seconded by Michael Church.
Tony Smith thanked the retiring Master for all his work over the past three years (applause).
| 2nd July 2022 | RWNYC, Exeter | |
| 24th September 2022 | Essex Trophy, Bletchingley | |
| 19th November 2022 | Executive Committee Meeting |
Saturday 10th June 2023 in the Andover District.
On behalf of the Education Committee, Andy Ingram thanked members who supported the Guild Training Days this year, and noted the efforts of those who coordinate helpers for these training events.
Andy Ingram spoke about youth ringing, how well the young ringers are progressing, and reported on how they did during their trip to Essex in April.
Viv Nobbs had recruitment posters and leaflets available.
Simon Poyser advertised the Watercolour Painting Workshop at Chawton on 25th June and a Communications Workshop at Bentley on 1st October.
The Master asked that all retiring and new BRF Trustees meet immediately after the AGM.
There being no further business, the Master closed the meeting at 5.47 p.m.
[After the meeting Robin Milford conducted the draw for the W&P 200 Club. The winners were as follows (given by club number, name and prize amount)
19 Roy & Ann LeMarechal £23; 7 Jan Allnutt £9.20; 15 Viv Nobbs £4.60; 36 Roger Booth £4.60; 16 Graham Nobbs £2.30; 32 Piers Armstrong £2.30]