The Master Canon Barry Fry supported by the Honorary General Secretary Robert Cater, the Honorary General Treasurer Michael Bubb and Minute Secretary Francis Mitchell, opened the meeting at 10.16 a.m. with a prayer.
He welcomed everybody, especially those attending for the first time.
The others attending were:
Andrew Banks, Andrew Byford, Gail Cater, Val Cleaver, Ben Constant, Gilian Davis, David Forder, Anne Fraser, Dave Goodwin, Maureen Kelly, Wendy Ling, Brian Oakes, Tony Smith, Mary Tester, Barbara Townsend, Jack Walters, Phil Watts, Mike Winterbourne, Margaret Wolverson.
Andrew Craddock, John Davey, Ceri Dodd, Mark Esbester, Martin Waldron, Val Williams.
Christine Boyce of St John Bournemouth, previous members Anne Williams of Alton All Saints and Colin Lever of St Peter Bournemouth plus Mrs Clay the tower correspondent at Stockbridge.
Minutes of the meeting held on 16 November 2002 were accepted by the meeting with several minor amendments and a rewording of paragraph 5.ii. suggested by Phil Watts. An amended copy will be signed by the Master and the version on the website replaced.
Tony Smith reported that Rev. David Cawley had completed his work by returning Tony’s latest draft with annotations and an additional 30 pages.
Phil Watts brought the small bell to the meeting. Mark Esbester was hoping to acquire suitable material for the headstock during the augmentation of Catherington bells.
The only notification was Renee Sturgess of Fareham.
This is nearing completion. Following Bob Cater’s recommendation of a wide circulation for the latest revision of the Central Council’s Guidelines on Child Protection, the meeting requested it be included in the Guild Report.
Bob Cater’s report had been distributed with the Agenda and was accepted with a correction to the 12-Bell Striking Contest result.
The report and accounts distributed with the Agenda were accepted
The report and accounts distributed with the Agenda were accepted, with Guild money shown as “From Central Fund”.
The report and accounts had been distributed with the Agenda and were accepted. The use of Bishopstoke Ringing Centre by the whole Guild was encouraged.
The report distributed with the Agenda was augmented with another 2 paragraphs and accepted with a minor correction.
The report distributed with the Agenda was amended by a replacement paragraph supplied by Ceri Dodd and was accepted.
The report distributed with the Agenda showed no Complaints activity in 2002 and was accepted.
The accounts carried forward from the last Exec meeting had been distributed with the Agenda and were accepted with a minor correction.
Phil Watts paper distributed with the Agenda was updated with more information on bell restoration in 2002 and accepted.
Mike Bubb explained some changes to the previously distributed report and accounts. The final versions were accepted.
Mike Bubb’ s report and accounts had been distributed with the Agenda for the information of the Executive Committee. They will be presented to the AGM for acceptance.
A decrease in the amount of Tower Donations was noted. The subsequent discussion on means of encouraging donations and use of Gift Aid mentioned possible donation of a band’s Wedding fee and the value of collections at Guild meetings. Mike Bubb agreed to prepare a letter to all towers for sending out with the Secretary’s pre-AGM posting.
The group set up to define possible structural changes which would be needed if the Guild was to register as a Charity, comprising Mike Bubb, Bob Cater, Gail Cater, Tony Smith and Mark Esbester, had prepared a paper issued with the Agenda.
The main consideration is the extra work needed at all levels to hold more membership details and obtain enough signed Gift Aid declarations in order to claim enough Tax to make the change worthwhile. Of the four Guilds registered as a Charity so far, three have the Bell Restoration Fund included with the Guild, unlike our Guild which already has the BRF registered as a separate Charity
After much deep and thoughtful discussion as to whether the likely financial benefit was worth all the extra bureaucracy, upheaval and administrative work, Gilian Davis proposed that no further action be taken at present This was accepted with no one against.
In response to another large increase in the Guild’s Public Liability Insurance Premium, Mike Bubb had once again raised the question of cover for members working on bells, in a paper circulated with the Agenda. Bearing in mind the cost of Insurance at approximately £1.30 per member, Phil Watts stressed the value of the present cover to the Belfry Stewardship Committee and other members doing normal belfry maintenance. The meeting agreed there should be no change to the Insurance cover.
Tony Smith had drafted changes to the Guild rules to clarify the eligibility of peals rung for the Guild and associated Belfry Elections. The Executive agreed that these changes should be put to the AGM.
Not a lot of feedback had been received from Officers and Members at District level to add to ideas expressed at the previous Executive meeting. As the Anniversary day 26 June 2004 a Saturday, it was suggested that the AGM could be held on the actual day; Guildford Diocesan Guild should be invited as they were initially part of the Winchester Diocesan Guild; Peals are requested to be arranged on and near the day, perhaps at all three Cathedrals. Districts are requested to make their own appropriate arrangements for celebrating this anniversary.
Mary Tester gave details of the AGM to be held at Shanklin on the afternoon of July, preceded by the Guild Inter District 8 Bell Striking Competition at 11.00. In order to facilitate Car Ferry bookings, full details will be made available shortly via email and District Secretaries.
The latest version of the Guidelines on Child Protection in the context of Bellringing, published by the Central Council of Church Bell Ringers will be printed in the Guild Report for 2002 (See Minute 7).
More details were given of the Guild Dinner on Saturday 26 April.
AGM 2005 will be in the Channel Islands during the Festival being organised by the CI District
Essex Shield is on 13 Sept 2003 at East Meon. Hosting this 10 bell striking competition for Guilds and Associations predominantly in the South of England was described as a major event for the Guild and a good PR opportunity. Andrew Byford is making all the arrangements.
This was confirmed as Saturday 22 November 2003 at St Barnabas Church Hall, at 10.15 a.m.
The Spring 2004 Executive meeting was set for 6 March 2004.
The meeting approved Phil Watt’s request for £250 for the Belfry Stewardship Committee to acquire a Bell lifting cradle built in steel, to be available within the Guild for work on bearings and similar tasks.
The Christchurch & Southampton District suggested a cheaper class of membership for older members who no longer ring but wish to keep in touch with the Guild. It was pointed out that Associate Membership is available for non-ringers. The General Treasurer was not in favour of another class of membership. Phil Watts thought that local towers may wish to assist by paying the £5 subscription in order to retain such members.
With the rapid turnover of District Officers, information on the Guild’s Services, structure and operation may not be getting passed on. A meeting of all District Secretaries and Treasurers was set for the afternoon of 6 March 2004 after the Executive meeting in the morning. Lunch will be provided. The Guild General Secretary and General Treasurer agreed to collect helpful documents into a useful and clearly identifiable booklet
Val Cleaver requested that when the Membership Certificates were next reprinted consideration should be given to changing the size to A4 for ease of posting.
There being no further business, the Master closed the meeting with a prayer at 12.14 p.m.