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 at 10.17 a.m. by asking Canon Barry Fry to say a prayer. The Master welcomed everybody, especially those attending for the first time.
The others attending were:
Andrew Banks, Chris Caryer, Andrew Case, Michael Church, Val Cleaver, John Davey, Nicky David, Barry Fry, Keith Gillings, Maureen Kelly, Ros Oakeshott, Margaret Paterson, Hugh Routh, Mo Routh.
Apologies were received from:
Anne Bailey, Diana Bishop, Andrew Byford, Andrew Craddock, Gill Gardner, Jon Hetherington, Peter Niblett, John Palk, Bruce Purvis. Tony Smith, Mary Tester, Barbara Townsend.
The meeting stood to remember:
Cynthia Kemp (LM) of Overton, Helen Mary Allcard of Droxford, Colin Inman of Overton, Joseph Cripps of Bramshott, Dorothy Leach of Alderney and Tim Wyeth of Ropley.
Minutes of the meeting held on 14 March 2009 had been distributed before the meeting. Acceptance was agreed with no votes against. The minutes were signed by the Master as a true record.
Bruce Purvis had obtained a complex quote from Taylors with estimates ranging from £600 to well over a thousand pounds for various items of maintenance work. It was agreed to discuss this at the next Executive Committee meeting when Bruce Purvis could be present. The handbells are ringable at present.
Hugh Routh reported that the upwards extension to the library had been approved by the Winchester Cathedral authorities. He expected to complete the work early in 2010. He was thanked by the Guild Master.
Michael Church asked if any progress had been made on checking the best time of year for the AGM, in order to try and improve attendance. There was some feeling that a meeting in the spring or autumn would conflict with fewer weddings and holidays. The national 12-bell competition in London may have had some impact on attendance at the 2009 AGM.
The meeting agreed that members at the ADMs should be asked for their views on this matter.
No members were known to have achieved 50 years membership in 2010.
| i. | Librarian & Archivist | £75 | Agreed | |||
| ii. | Guild Report Editor | £25 | Agreed | |||
| iii. | Belfry Stewardship Committee | £250 | Agreed | |||
| (Includes safety equipment and inspection expenses) | ||||||
| iv. | Education Committee | Nil | ||||
| v. | Communications Committee | £470 | Agreed | |||
| (Domain Name Renewals £10, Web Hosting £50, Newsletter Printing £360, Post & Packing £50) | ||||||
| vi. | Social Committee | Nil | ||||
| vii. | Striking Competition Committee | £25 | Agreed | |||
| viii. | Public Relations Officer | £10 | Agreed | |||
All these bids were individually approved by the meeting with no votes against.
Andrew Case reported on progress at towers with approved grants:
work at Bishops Waltham is complete with an inspection by the BSC imminent; Bramshott have completed the work and the grant has been paid; work at North Stoneham is planned for next year; the two new trebles for Portsmouth Cathedral were the last bells cast by Taylor Eayre and Smith and are in the Church; work at Shanklin completed last Friday.
New applications for grants have been received from:
St Mary’s, Portsea, where two quotes had been obtained for replacing some bearings plus work on clappers and pulleys. A BSC Inspection had advised new quotes to include replacement of all bearings.
Newnham plan to augment from 3 to 5 at a cost of £35,000 with £27,000 already raised.
Mo Routh’s report had been circulated with the agenda, was seconded by John Davey and agreed.
Mike Bubb proposed that the Guild’s Public Liability be increased from £1 million to £5 million at the suggestion of the Guild’s Independent Examiner, which could increase the premium by about £350. The BSC would still have to supply names to be covered for individual projects. This was seconded by Andy Banks and carried with no votes against.
Chris Caryer had prepared a written proposal circulated with the agenda that a new trophy be purchased for £135 to fit on the existing engraved plinth. This was agreed by the meeting.
The reduced number of entries for Guild Striking competitions was felt to be in line with a general decrease in ringing activity in the Guild area. No easy solution was forthcoming.
David Strong emphasized the importance of the post of Vice-Master. He is actively seeking candidates and appealed to District Secretaries and Representatives to find someone.
He also stressed the need for an active BRF Fundraising Committee to ensure the flow of funds into the BRF to maintain bell restoration activities. Barry Fry informed the meeting that the original concept of the BRF Fundraising Committee was to seek large scale sponsorship.
The existing supply of Receipt Books is almost exhausted, so Mike Bubb asked whether more were needed or would a standard letter suffice. Although opinion was divided, a majority wished to keep the books. Districts were to be asked how many they had in stock.
The Guild Treasurer cannot attend on the scheduled date of 13 March 2010, so the meeting agreed to change the date of the next meeting to Saturday 6 March 2010.
Mo Routh gave details of the arrangements so far for the Guild Dinner at Park Hotel, Southampton on 15 May 2010.
Arrangements are well under way for the AGM at Basingstoke on 3 July 2010.
The Executive Committee will meet on 20 Nov. 2010 at St Barnabas Church Hall.
A letter of thanks had been received by Basingstoke District Secretary expressing gratitude for the Guild’s support in their augmentation from 3 to 6 bells. Mike Bubb had received good feedback from Hannington who were also grateful for the Guild’s help.
Andrew Craddock had made copies of the Guild DVD for each District. It may be copied but not changed and will be available on the CCCBR website. It had cost him £100 to make. If reimbursed by the Guild he offered to donate the same sum to the Guild under Gift Aid. John Davey proposed that Andrew Craddock’s costs of £100 be reimbursed, seconded by Val Cleaver and carried unopposed.
Keith Gillings reported that he had been required to have separate CRB check for teaching at another tower, but the Diocese had lost it. Transferable checks will be available under the next implementation of Child Protection legislation.
It was reported that Andy Ingram had stood down as Convenor of the Guild Education Committee. He was thanked for the work done while in that post.
The Master closed the meeting at 11.56 a.m.