The Guild Master - Rachael Barber, supported by the Vice-Master - Peter Niblett, Hon. Gen. Treasurer - Robin Milford and Minute Secretary - Tony Smith, opened the meeting at 10.15 a.m. and Barry Fry said a prayer. The Master welcomed those present and encouraged members to claim travelling expenses.
The other members attending were Roger Barber (A&P Exec Rep.), Martin Barnes (Belfry Stewardship), Ian Carey (Peal Recorder), Michael Church (CC Rep.), Nici Collins (Basingstoke Sec.), Lizzie Colliss (Communications, Portsmouth Sec.), John Croft (Winchester Exec Rep.), Margaret Downer (IoW Exec Rep.), Barry Fry (BRF Trustee), Mike Hopkins Till (CC Rep.), Andy Ingram (Education), Sallie-Louise Ingram (C&S Sec.), Nick James (CC Rep.), Pete Jordan (Immediate Past Master, Striking Competitions), Stephen Lutener (Basingstoke Exec Rep.), David Mattingley (BRF Trustee), John Palk (Report Editor), Richard Paxford (Andover Sec.), Simon Poyser (A&P Sec. proxy) and Matthew Wilks (Portsmouth Exec Rep.).
Apologies for absence had been received from Dan Graham, Lucy Hopkins Till, Micki Nadal, Bruce Purvis and Mary Tester.
The Minute Secretary read the following names and the Master asked members to stand while Barry Fry said a prayer.
| Theo Getty (LM) | Alverstoke | |
| June Mitchell | Brading | |
| Rona Mitchell | Liss | |
| Joy Scanlan | Romsey | |
| Mavis Whitehead (LM) | Portsmouth Cathedral | |
| Kath Baldwin | formerly of Portsmouth Cathedral | |
| Philip Carter | formerly of Winchester Cathedral | |
| John Chamberlain | formerly of Fawley | |
| Catherine Griffiths | formerly of New Alresford | |
| Peter Hadaway | formerly of Fawley | |
| Eric Headleand | formerly of Bramshott | |
| Brenda Hough | formerly of Alverstoke | |
| Peter Jenkins | formerly of Broughton & Houghton | |
| Brian Kempton | formerly of Buriton | |
| Thelma Mills | formerly of Tangley | |
| Sheila Padley | formerly of Bentworth | |
| Canon George Rayner | formerly of Shanklin | |
| Dawn Williams | formerly of Broughton & Houghton |
The minutes of the meeting held on 18th March 2023 were proposed by John Croft, seconded by Michael Church, approved nem. con. and signed by the Master as a true record.
There were no matters arising.
Hon. General Secretary. There were no candidates.
Public Relations Officer. There were no candidates.
Central Council Representative. So that we could be fully represented at the CC annual meeting in Ipswich following Steve Castle’s resignation, and as Executive Committee members were advised by email on 26th August, the Master invited Nick James to fill the vacancy. This appointment was formalised on the proposition of the Master, seconded by Tony Smith.
| Graham E Brown | Alverstoke | |
| William A Harris | Catherington | |
| Stephen N Hough | Eling | |
| Ann P LeMarechal (née Bennett) | Bishopstoke | |
| Anne K Longman | Eling | |
| Ian M McCallion | Hursley | |
| Stephen P Noyes | Brighstone |
Peal Recorder - Nil.
Librarian and Archivist - £200.
Report Editor - £35.
Public Relations Officer - Position vacant.
Education Committee - Nil.
Striking Competitions Committee - £345.
Belfry Stewardship Committee - Nil.
Communications Committee - £500.
Young Ringers’ Group - £900.
The bids were approved en bloc on the proposition of Roger Barber, seconded by Peter Niblett.
A Budget for 2024 prepared by the Hon. Gen. Treasurer had been circulated.
David Mattingley provided brief updates on the outstanding grants: Eling completed, signed-off by the BSC and £1,000 paid; East Tisted completed, signed-off by the BSC and £2,000 paid; Brading over £28,000 raised, an updated grant application will be considered at the next Trustees’ meeting, completion expected next Summer or Autumn; Ropley completion expected second half of next year; Hawkley completed, signed-off by the BSC and £7,000 will be paid soon; Netley Abbey bells are out, timescale not exactly known; Portchester no update received; and Andover completed, signed-off by the BSC and £1,750 will be paid soon.
A new grant application had been received from St. Peter, Titchfield where damage to a wheel had been covered by insurance, apart from an excess of £600. On behalf of the Trustees, David proposed a grant of £100 which was seconded by John Croft and agreed nem. con.
The Master said that, in view of his absence through injury, Dan Graham would instead write a statement to be circulated to members and if anyone had any safeguarding queries they should contact him direct by email and he would be happy to advise.
| 13th January 2024 | Alton & Petersfield ADM - Hawkley | |
| Andover ADM - Andover | ||
| 20th January 2024 | Basingstoke ADM - Bramley | |
| 27th January 2024 | Christchurch & Southampton ADM - Hordle | |
| 3rd February 2024 | Portsmouth ADM - Shedfield | |
| 10th February 2024 | Winchester ADM - Bishopstoke | |
| 17th February 2024 | Isle of Wight ADM - Chale | |
| 16th March 2024 | Executive Committee Meeting | |
| 23rd March 2024 | National 12-bell competition eliminator - Portsmouth Cathedral | |
| 27th April 2024 | Isle of Wight Open Day | |
| 11th May 2024 | Inter-Tower striking competitions - Isle of Wight | |
| 8th June 2024 | Inter-District 8-bell striking competition - Portsmouth District | |
| AGM - Swanmore | ||
| 6th July 2024 | RWNYC - London | |
| 21st September 2024 | Novices’ striking competition | |
| 16th November 2024 | Executive Committee Meeting |
Tony Smith reported that, following the offer of county surveys of church bells by Frederick Sharpe in The Ringing World, Bruce Purvis had persuaded the editor and de facto retail sales manager to take the outstanding stock of The Church Bells of the Channel Islands, the remainder of the edition being some 70 copies, off the Guild’s hands for £60 which, in accordance with the author David Cawley’s wishes, would go to the BRF. Sales hitherto had covered the costs of the edition; the remainder was being stored for the Guild by Jack Walters, and, in his increasing infirmity, Jack was anxious to have the volumes off his hands and out of his loft.
There being no further business, the Master closed the meeting at 10.49 a.m.