In spite of the wretched weather, there was a good attendance at the annual meeting of the Basingstoke District held at Basingstoke on January 28th. The service was conducted by Canon F. A. Sanders, Rector of Overton, who spoke on the true Christian Fellowship to be found in ringing.
After an excellent tea, provided by the Basingstoke ringers, Canon Sanders presided at the business meeting. It was reported that membership had fallen to 71, but there were signs that it was again increasing. As only three teams had taken part in the competition for the Alliston Cup, it was agreed, with the donor's consent, that the future of the cup be left in the hands of the Executive Committee of the Guild. A suggestion that an annual report might be produced for the District received no support. The meeting was in favour of a donation being sent from the Guild to the A. H. Pulling Memorial Fund.
Provided the necessary arrangements can be made meetings will be held during the year at Yateley, Kingsclere and Overton.
Apart from visitors - they were welcomed from as far field as Hillingdon and Wareham, Reading and Southampton - the absence of experienced ringers was very noticeable. It is all too clear that ringers in the District face an uphill struggle.
The Ringing World No. 2600, February 17, 1961, page 116