THE 1964 A.G.M. of the Winchester and Portsmouth Guild was held at Basingstoke on June 27th. Despite the repeated warnings of our old friend, George Pullinger, that much more favourable weather conditions occur on the first Saturday in July (the traditional date for the A.G.M. for many years), the last Saturday in June had been chosen, and proved to be a fine and warm day.
Ringing started at 9.30 a.m. at the extreme ends of two separate routes which converge at Basingstoke, thus giving a choice of a dozen or so towers for ringing before the business of the general meeting, scheduled for 2.30 p.m.
The meeting, held in St. Michael’s Church Cottage, was opened by the chairman, Canon K. W. H. Felstead, Master of the Guild, with a welcome to the 70 members and visitors present. The Master’s welcome was necessarily tempered with a degree of sadness by the recent death of the Guild’s Immediate Past Master, Mr. Frederick W. Rogers. The Master asked one of our oldest, long-serving members, Mr. George Pullinger, to say a few words in appreciation of all the valuable and loving service which Fred Rogers had given to the Guild and ringing over many years.
MR. PULLINGER’S TRIBUTE
Mr. Pullinger expressed his deep regret at the passing of one of the Guild’s most faithful and devoted servants over so many years. Born in 1902, Fred Rogers was a choirboy at St. Mary’s, Portsea, and used to sit up in the tower watching the Sunday service ringing. With him were the two sons of the tower captain, Mr. E. J. Harding, and as soon as the three boys were big enough Mr. Harding taught them to ring. Fred made rapid progress, ringing his first peal, Grandsire Triples, at the Church of St. Thomas à Becket, conducted by Frederick A. Burnett, in June, 1919. Fred soon attracted the attention of such well-known conductors of that day as George Williams, Keith Hart and A. H. Pulling, and was soon a regular member of their Surprise peal bands.
In the early 1920’s. Mr. Harding retired from the post of Portsmouth District secretary of the old Winchester Guild and Fred was elected in his place. Thus started what proved to be a period of over 40 years’ continuous service to the Winchester, and later the Winchester and Portsmouth Guild, in many and varied offices.
Later as captain of the St. Mary’s, Portsea, band, Fred built up a very fine record with one of the finest Sunday service bands in the country. Many ringers rang their first peal under his conductorship, and the Spliced Surprise Major practices at Portsea were a feature of the Portsmouth District for many years.
IN OFFICE FROM 1926
Fred was elected Guild peal recorder in 1926, followed by Guild general secretary in 1931, which office he held for 25 years, before being elected Guild Master in 1956. Fred retired from Mastership in 1962, though still continuing to serve as one of the Guild ’s Central Council representatives, with a record of unbroken service in that office from 1932 until the time of his death. He was the last surviving member of the Guild Committee which had served continuously since the days of the old Winchester Guild, and so another link with the past is broken.
As mentioned earlier, Fred was in office at the time the old Winchester Guild was split up and the Guildford Guild formed in 1926, and he gave valuable assistance in re-forming the Winchester and Portsmouth Guild. He later piloted through the Guild’s 1939-45 War Memorial and the George Williams Memorial Library schemes.
Fred was a great ringer and safe conductor: taking part in a number of ringing tours in his early days he became well known to many throughout the British Isles. Altogether Fred rang 672 peals, his last being Spliced Surprise Major in four methods at his home tower of St. Mary’s, Portsea, on December 7th, 1963.
His passing means a great loss to the Guild and ringing. We appreciate his great love and work for our art, which will never seem the same without him.
The chairman thanked Mr. Pullinger for his kind appreciation, and added that he was sure the words spoken of Fred by the Vicar of Portsea at the funeral were echoed by all who knew him - ‘He was a gentleman in every sense of the word.’
The Master then went on to say that this last week we had lost another old member, who was to have been elected a life member of the Guild at this meeting - Mr. Robert Fisher, of East Meon, who had died at the age of 92.
The assembly then stood for a few moments in silent prayer as a mark of respect to these two past members.
OFFICERS’ REPORTS
Continuing the business of the meeting, apologies were received and the minutes of the last A.G.M. read and confirmed. The general secretary, Mr. R. R. Savory, read letters of thanks received from the Parochial Church Councils of Eling and Sopley for grants received from the Guild towards rehanging and augmenting these bells respectively.
The treasurer’s report, presented by Mrs. T. Chapman, was received showing a fairly steady financial balance. The peal recorder’s report, presented by Mr. D. T. Matkin, stated that fewer peals were rung in 1963 (56) than in 1962, although there was a good variation in methods and plain and Surprise continued to be achieved. Four new Surprise Major and three new Surprise Royal methods had been added to the Guild’s list, including the first peals to be rung of Christchurch Surprise Major and Royal. Of particular note was the Warnford Sunday service band’s achievement with a peal in 14 methods of Doubles, conducted by Mr. C. E. Bassett. Seventeen members rang their first peal, and in one Mr. B. R. Walton conducted his first peal.
The librarian’s report, presented by Mr. D. E. House, showed that all books were in good condition. A copy of all Central Council publications was now obtainable from the Guild library. It was agreed that in future the librarian present a written report, which would include an up-to-date library list. The Guild handbells were in good order and being put to good use.
Rule 17 of the Guild was then discussed and an alteration passed, which would enable the activities of December in any year to be included in that year’s District report, instead of, as previously, having to complete reports by mid-December.
Grants to bell restorations were considered from Titchfield, Curdridge, Kingsclere, Fawley and Winchester Cathedral: the first four for rehangings and the fifth for hanging a newly acquired flat 6th bell. Donations of £10 to each of these appeals were granted.
The 1964 striking competition will be held on October 31st, St. Michael’s, Southampton, being probably the most suitable venue. Canon F. A. Sanders rose to ask whether the band of St. Michael’s, Southampton, would be entering a team this year. When informed that they would not, he agreed that the venue chosen was probably quite suitable!
In recognition of unbroken membership of over 50 years, Mr. George Noice was elected a life member of the Guild.
The 1965 A.G.M. will be held on the first Saturday in June at Christchurch Priory, upon the kind invitation of the Christchurch District.
CHANGE OF OFFICERS
As Mr. D. E. House will be leaving Hampshire in the near future the Executive Committee have appointed Mr. J. R. Faithfull to act as honorary librarian until the triennial elections in 1965.
Due to the death of Mr. F. W. Rogers, the Executive Committee have appointed Mr. R. R. Savory to act as Central Council representative until the 1965 elections.
After the general meeting, the Guild service was held in St. Michael’s Church, Basingstoke. The 15 minute service touch was an excellently struck touch of Stedman Triples, rung by the following members: R. R. Savory 1, Mrs. T. Chapman 2, G. K. Dodd 3, M. J. Butler 4, D. E. House 5, M. J. Thomas 6, C. H. Kippin (cond.) 7, T. Chapman 8. The service was conducted by the Rector, the Rev. N. J. Woodhall, and a very interesting address given by the Archdeacon of Basingstoke, the Ven. R. C. Rudgard.
Following the service, an excellent tea was served by the members of the St. Michael’s, Basingstoke, ringers and lady helpers in the Church Cottage.
Ringing was resumed after tea in several towers in the District, to complete a very successful day. Thanks are expressed to Mr. Jack Chesterman, the District secretary, Mr. Andrew Taylor and Mr. Paul Holmes for tea and ringing arrangements, and clergy for the service and use of bells.
R. R. S.
The Ringing World No. 2779, July 24, 1964, page 494