The Master Andrew Craddock supported by the Honorary General Secretary Steve Castle, the Honorary General Treasurer Michael Bubb and Minute Secretary Francis Mitchell, opened the meeting at 10.17 a.m. by asking Canon Barry Fry to say a prayer.
The others attending were:
Andrew Banks, Andrew Byford, Michael Church, Val Cleaver, John Davey, Barry Fry, Jonathan Hetherington, Maureen Kelly, Wendy Ling, Brian Oakes, Hugh Routh, Tony Smith, David Strong, Mary Tester, Barbara Townsend, Phil Watts, Val Williams.
Ben Constant, Mark Esbester, David Forder, Anne Fraser, Jack Walters, Mike Winterbourne.
The meeting stood to remember Connie Clark of Brockenhurst and Fred Mouland of Nether Wallop.
Minutes of the meeting held on 6 March 2004 were accepted and signed by the Master as a true record.
Peals of Winchester Surprise were rung at Winchester, Portsmouth and Guildford Cathedrals.
The cleaning and restoration of William Rayner’s grave is progressing.
Ruth Jackson will achieve 50 years membership in 2005.
David Strong reported that brochures are now available from Travelsmith; an encouraging number of bookings had been made already. Details were on the Guild website, all towers would be informed before the ADMs.
In answer to a question regarding availability of Guernsey towers to members ringing in the Striking Competition at the same time as the Guernsey tower tour, David Strong outlined plans to satisfy this requirement mainly by Sunday service ringing. Although it would be possible to attend the Striking Competition and AGM by a day trip to Guernsey, Districts were urged to organise their competition bands in good time.
David Strong was thanked by the meeting for his efforts in overcoming several major problems to organise this very attractive Ringing Festival.
Essex Trophy ten bell Striking Competition is at Isleworth on 17 September 2005. Andy Byford or Chris Kippin will organise the Guild band.
The AGM and Guild Dinner are incorporated into the Channel Islands Festival in 2005.
Striking Competition and Education dates will be published ASAP on the Guild web site and by other means to avoid clashes with events on District calendars being prepared for distribution at the ADMs.
| a. | Belfry Stewardship Committee | No Requirement | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| b. | Education Committee | No Requirement | ||
| c. | Librarian & Archivist | £150 to include the cost of a new index | ||
| d. | Public Relations Committee | £380 | ||
| This includes an extra £120 for use of some colour in the Guild Newsletter. | ||||
| e. | Guild Report | £1000 including £50 expenses | ||
| f. | Striking Competition Committee | £50 to include the cost of new certificates | ||
All these bids were approved.
Andy Byford’s report circulated with the Agenda was approved, proposed by Tony Smith seconded by Barbara Townsend.
Colin Cook had submitted a paper describing this successful demonstration of bell ringing and its attractions to 1,600 children who were leaving 303 Church of England primary schools in Winchester Diocese.
The cost of just over £400, including the hire of the Lichfield Diocese Mobile belfry, had been borne by the Winchester Cathedral ringers.
After Item 12 had been discussed, the suggestions in Colin Cook’s paper were put to the meeting:
Steve Castle proposed the Guild should reimburse Winchester Cathedral Bell Ringers with up to £300. This was seconded by Wendy Ling and approved by the meeting;
It was agreed that the Public Relations Committee (PRC), with additional assistance and resources as required, should organise future such events;
The meeting requested the PRC to re-examine the options of borrowing, hiring or acquiring a mobile ring to ensure continued availability at future events organised by Guild officials and members;
A budget of £400 was agreed towards a similar event next year, to be allocated and used by the PRC.
Andrew Craddock outlined his proposals in a paper circulated with the Agenda to move responsibility for internal communication with Guild members via the Newsletter and Website into a new committee under David Forder, with external relations retained by the Public Relations Committee under Colin Cook.
The meeting welcomed the fact that Colin Cook was now available to join the PRC but saw no need for another committee (technically a sub-committee of the Executive Committee) and rejected Andrew’s proposal by a majority vote. Francis Mitchell, the other PRC member, described the urgent need to co-opt more members to the committee, especially Colin Cook, which would enable it to meet and elect a convenor following the Triennial elections at the AGM and continue its work.
John Davey proposed that the Public Relations Committee invite Colin Cook to be co-opted to that committee, seconded by Tony Smith and passed by the meeting.
Philip Gorrod’s proposals for improving the Guild 6 bell tower competition had been circulated with the Agenda. His suggestion that each District should enter the winning team from their District six bell competition was, after some discussion, rejected by a sizeable majority.
Phil Watts proposed that his requests for the competition to be held later in the year and for the Striking Competition Committee Convener to communicate via District Secretaries instead of towers be referred to the Striking Competition Committee. This was seconded by Mike Bubb and carried unopposed.
Andy Byford outlined plans for an Inter-District Junior competition in September on alternate years from the 10 bell competition. The meeting expressed a preference for a 6 bell competition with Call Changes allowed.
Andy Byford’s proposal that such a competition be set up to start in September 2005 was seconded by Phil Watts and passed unopposed.
Phil Watts complimented the Alton & Petersfield District on their successful events for younger ringers.
Andrew Craddock had prepared a paper outlining his proposal limiting the Master to one term of two years and creating a new post of Vice-Master also with a term of office of two years. The Vice-Master would usually be expected to stand for election as Master after one term of office.
After some discussion on the merits of “Vice” as opposed to “Deputy” and “Assistant”, the creation of a new post of Vice-Master was agreed by the Executive committee.
Tony Smith proposed an amendment to the proposal, making the terms of office 3 years instead of 2 to fit the existing triennial election cycle.
Phil Watts proposed a further amendment limiting the Master and Vice-Master to a maximum of two terms of three years. This was carried by a small majority.
The amended proposal limiting the Master to two terms of three years and creating a new post of Vice-Master with the same maximum length of office was carried by a large majority. A rule change is to be prepared for presentation to the 2005 AGM.
A proposal by Steve Castle that manifestos of the candidates for the post of Master be circulated to the Districts in time for the Spring Quarterly meetings was withdrawn for further consideration of timings and distribution. Barry Fry offered to help draft the potential rule change.
Steve Castle’s proposal that the Guild Dinner be hosted by each District in turn (similar to what had happened at sometime in the past) was seconded by Wendy Ling. It was generally thought to be a good idea, but prone to organisational difficulties. When put to the vote the proposal was rejected by the meeting.
Steve Castle’s proposed name changes to remove ‘Honorary’ from some officer’s titles and change ‘Executive Committee’ to ‘Administration Committee’ were rejected by the meeting.
This was confirmed as Saturday 12 March 2005 at St Barnabas Church Hall, at 10.15 a.m.
The AGM will be on Sat 2 July in St Peter Port, CI.
The November 2005 Executive meeting was agreed as 19 November 2005.
In response to a question from Hugh Routh, it was confirmed that the Annual District Meetings are held in order, starting from the second Saturday in January. It was noted that the Districts’ pre-ADM notice distribution provides one of the major opportunities to circulate items from the Guild centre to towers.
Alan Buswell has asked for the Display Stand plus a volunteer to accompany his display of Quarter Peal Records and Gillett and Johnson material at the 2005 Ringing Roadshow at Newbury on 10 Sept 2005.
As there are no other plans for a Guild presence involving the Stand, this was agreed.
Phil Watts pointed out that for any Church building having Listed status, English Heritage must be consulted before applying for a faculty for any work, including bell related projects. The DAC would otherwise ensure that this happened, with the associated delay.
The Master closed the meeting by asking Canon Barry Fry to say The Grace at 12.38 p.m.