The Master David Strong, supported by the Honorary General Secretary Pam Thompson, the Honorary General Treasurer Michael Bubb and Minute Secretary Francis Mitchell, opened the meeting with a prayer at 10.21 a.m.
He welcomed everybody, especially those attending for the first time.
The others attending were:
Roger Barber, Andrew Banks, Andrew Byford, Andrew Case, Val Cleaver, David Forder, Gill Gardner, Maureen Kelly, Lottie Meader, June Mitchell, Peter Niblett, John Palk, Bruce Purvis, Tony Smith, Barbara Townsend, Jack Walters.
Anne Bailey, Diana Bishop, Michael Church, Andrew Craddock, Sue Craddock, John Davey, Adam Greenley, Jon Hetherington, Andy Ingram, Sue Park, Mary Tester.
The meeting stood to remember Sandy Keay of Alderney.
Minutes of the meeting held on 17 November 2007 had been distributed with the agenda for this meeting. After correcting the spelling of Gill Gardner (Minute 2.) , Rosemary Oakeshott (6.) and John Rolph (8.i), the minutes were accepted by the meeting and signed by the Master as a true record.
This had been revised following the last Executive meeting and general satisfaction was expressed with the format and content. It will now be emailed to the Communication Committee who will check its internet compatibility and maintain it on the Guild website, from where it can be printed locally as required with no central stock of printed copies.
The Leaflet is intended to be given to all new members, including probationary members, and will replace the current Green and Yellow cards. The lack of a certificate of Probationary Membership means that towers must notify District Secretaries for confirmation at the next District Meeting promptly after the tower election to ensure the membership is noted for Insurance purposes.
This has now been placed with AXA for a reduced premium of £1,000, including routine belfry maintenance but excluding major restoration work, cover for which will have to be arranged by the BSC job by job. A notice will be placed on the Guild website.
It was confirmed that Prisca Tremeer of St John Jersey will achieve 50 years membership in 2008.
Written proposals had been distributed with the agenda recommending three members to be proposed for Life Membership at the next AGM.
Mike Bubb had proposed Mark Esbester on the strength of his work on Bell Restoration as a BRF Trustee for over 30 years during which he started and administered the W&P 200 club which has to date raised £11,000 for the BRF, together with many periods of office in the Portsmouth District, including Chairman and Ringing Master, plus persistent efforts in teaching and organising towers which has contributed to a healthy state of ringing in general and Guild membership in particular.
This proposal was seconded by Tony Smith and carried with no votes against.
Mary Tester had proposed June Mitchell who had been a compounding member since ringing her first peal for the Guild in 1956 and a full member since 1989. She has been very active in several towers and during several periods as Isle of Wight District Chairman and Ringing Master. In seconding this proposal Maureen Kelly emphasised June’s contribution to the health of the Guild on the island, and her work as convenor of the BRF Fundraising Committee.
After expressions of appreciation for June’s efforts on the Isle of Wight and a reminder of the worth and meaning of this type of Life Membership, the proposal was lost by a small majority on a low vote.
Martin Daniels the Tower Captain at Romsey Abbey had submitted a proposal on behalf of Alan Price, guild member since 1962. He is now aged 80 and has played leading roles at Romsey Abbey including during recent works and during the restoration of St Mark’s Jersey. This was enthusiastically seconded by Lottie Meader but lost by a large majority.
Concern had been expressed regarding the current method of electing Life Members for services to the Guild on recommendation of the Executive Committee. Tony Smith said he would be submitting a proposal to the AGM regarding changes to the Guild rules whereby the decision to confer Life Membership for services to the Guild was taken by an overwhelming majority of Guild members in a secret ballot at an AGM.
Pam Thompson’s report had been circulated with the agenda, was seconded by Mike Bubb and agreed after correction of a spelling mistake.
Mike Bubb explained his report which had been circulated with the agenda. After a minor addition to the Accounts, acceptance of this report was seconded by Pam Thompson and agreed.
“The Church Bells of the Channel Islands” had sold two thirds the number of copies needed to break even. Further ways of selling more were explored.
Bruce Purvis’ report had been circulated with the agenda, was seconded by Jack Walters and agreed with two minor corrections.
Jonathan Hetherington’s report had been circulated with the agenda, was seconded by Roger Barber and agreed unchanged.
The BSC and Restoration Activity reports had been circulated with the agenda and were agreed subject to checks on the dedication of the Church at Sandown and the plans for work on Bishops Waltham bells. Proposed by Roger Barber, seconded by Andy Banks.
Andy Ingram’s report was circulated shortly after the meeting due to confusion over e-mail addresses.
David Forder’s report had been circulated with the agenda. The accounts had been passed direct to the Treasurer and were in order and within budget. Acceptance was seconded by Lottie Meader and agreed.
Sue Craddock’s report had been circulated with the agenda, the accounts were with the Treasurer. Acceptance was seconded by Roger Barber and agreed.
Adam Greenley’s report had been distributed by email the previous day. The accounts were still awaited. Accounts for 2006 are still outstanding. Results of the inter-district competition needed full and correct inclusion in the report. As Adam, the sole committee member, wished to resign from the Striking Competition Committee, a replacement needed to be elected at the AGM for 1 year until the triennial Committee elections. Acceptance subject to the agreed revisions was seconded by Tony Smith and agreed.
Andrew Craddock’s report was read by the Hon Gen Sec. He had been working on Media activity and planning a DVD for PR and recruitment within the Guild. He encouraged more PR at local and District levels. Acceptance was seconded by Tony Smith and agreed.
June Mitchell gave a verbal report emphasising efforts to assist sales of “The Church Bells of the Channel Islands”.
Alan Buswell’s analysis of quarter peals published in the Ringing World is to be published in the Guild Report at the discretion of the Report Editor.
The Guild Master thanked all officers and committee convenors for their reports.
The Trustees’ report had been circulated with the agenda for information.
Jack Walters reported on grants already made: Major work at Romsey is complete and the grant has been paid; Work at Abbots Ann is nearing completion; The grant allocated to St Barnabas Southampton will need to be reviewed in July.
A grant request has been received from Bishops Waltham for consideration at the AGM.
An appeal from St John’s Jersey against the 2007 AGM decision to decline a grant, has been answered with a request for more information to support a possible new grant request to be placed before the 2008 AGM.
Anne Bailey has created an electronic version of the Guild Membership Certificate with a view to putting it on the Guild website for downloading on to A4 card and completion as required by District Secretaries. The Guild Secretary also has many years supply of the larger membership certificates for those people who are not able to print them off and or who would prefer to have the certificates in the normal way.
Pam Thompson proposed that the electronic version be made available as well as the existing certificates. After inconclusive discussion about the lower quality and smaller size of the electronically produced sample and convenience of producing it, David Forder proposed “Next Business” which was seconded by Tony Smith and carried.
Bruce Purvis informed the meeting that the Guild Library in Winchester Cathedral ringing chamber is full with no room for another cupboard. He asked for ideas on how to increase the capacity. Tony Smith, previous Librarian and Archivist had discussed this with Hugh Routh, furniture maker, who could provide an upwards extension. Bruce Purvis agreed to ask the Cathedral architect to check the floor loading.
Adam Greenley proposes to hold this competition on 11th October 2008. He was requested to check with the Education Committee as that date had been designated a Guild Education day.
Offers to host the competition would be gratefully received by Adam Greenley or Pam Thompson.
Winchester District will be hosting the AGM on Saturday 5 July 2008 at Hursley.
Executive Committee meetings are 15 November 2008 and 14 March 2009 at St Barnabas Church Hall.
Guild Dinner tickets must be purchased by 4 April.
AGM details have previously been distributed direct to towers by the Honorary General Secretary. This year they may be sent via District Secretaries, in one lot more than a month before the meeting in accordance with Rule 22.
The Master closed the meeting at 12.17 p.m.