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 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.), Rodolph de Salis (Andover Sec. proxy), Margaret Downer (IoW Exec Rep.), Caroline Fairley (Winchester Sec. proxy), Barry Fry (BRF Trustee), Dan Graham (Safeguarding), Lucy Hopkins Till (Andover Exec Rep.), 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), Simon Poyser (A&P Sec. proxy), Bruce Purvis (Librarian & Archivist) and Roger Smith (C&S Exec Rep.)
Apologies for absence had been received from Roger Barber, Ros Brandwood, Anne Deegan, Micki Nadal and Matthew Wilks.
The Minute Secretary read the following names and the Master asked members to stand while Barry Fry said a prayer.
| Paul Holmes (LM) | Overton | |
| Richard Hunt | Ryde | |
| Andrew Johnson | New Alresford | |
| Anne Longman | Eling | |
| Jane Tarrant (LM) | Andover | |
| Anne Tautz | Havant | |
| Carla Woolnough | Deane | |
| Andrew Asher | formerly of Shanklin and Newchurch | |
| Rosemary Asher | formerly of Shanklin | |
| Robert Duffy | formerly of Petersfield | |
| Graham S Osborne | formerly of All Saints, Basingstoke | |
| Nigel Tebbitt | formerly of Ryde | |
| June Wilkes | formerly of Titchfield |
The minutes of the meeting held on 18th November 2023 were proposed by David Mattingley, seconded by John Croft, 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.
No further names were brought forward under the 50-year rule. Anne Longman who had been due to receive her life membership certificate this year had died recently.
A paper had been distributed (see Annex). Tony Smith proposed that in accordance with rule 6.b the Executive Committee should recommend Christine and Peter Hill for election to life membership at the AGM in recognition of their services to the Guild and said he would be happy to put the recommendation to the AGM. Bruce Purvis seconded the proposal which was supported by John Croft and agreed nem. con.
The following reports and accounts had been distributed and were considered.
General Secretary. Position vacant. No report.
General Treasurer (and accounts). No comments.
Peal Recorder. No comments.
Librarian and Archivist. Simon Poyser thanked Bruce Purvis for research relating to the Alton & Petersfield District’s 90th anniversary.
Public Relations Officer. Position vacant. Report covers period to 10th June.
Education Committee. No comments.
Striking Competitions Committee. No comments.
Belfry Stewardship Committee. No comments.
Communications Committee. No comments.
The reports were accepted en bloc on the proposition of Pete Jordan, seconded by Barry Fry.
Reports and accounts. The Hon. Gen. Treasurer said the report and accounts as distributed had been approved by the Trustees that morning.
Report on Trustees’ meeting. David Mattingley reported on the outstanding grants: Brading £13,000, due to increased costs the Trustees recommended the grant be increased to £20,000, completion expected this year; Ropley £10,000, completion expected this year and Porchester £800, no comment.
Two new grant applications had been received:
Droxford. Two new wheels and five new pulleys at a cost of £6,751. The Trustees recommended a grant of £1,000.
St. Mary the Virgin, Old Alresford. Insurance excess for repair to cracked fifth bell £500 and twiddle pins £75. The Trustees recommended a grant of £150.
The grants were proposed by David, seconded by Lizzie Colliss, and agreed.
In response to a query from Michael Church, David confirmed that the Trustees could take local circumstances into account when considering a grant.
| 23rd March 2024 | National 12-bell competition eliminator - Portsmouth Cathedral | |
| 13th April 2023 | SEECON Youth Striking Contest - Bushey | |
| 20th April 2024 | Education course - Raising & lowering in peal | |
| 27th April 2024 | Isle of Wight Open Day | |
| 11th May 2024 | a.m. Inter-Tower 6-bell striking competition - Arreton | |
| p.m. Inter-Tower 8-bell striking competition - Carisbrooke | ||
| 8th June 2024 | Inter-District 8-bell striking competition - Curdridge | |
| AGM - Swanmore | ||
| 6th July 2024 | RWNYC - London | |
| 21st September 2024 | Novices’ striking competition | |
| 5th October 2024 | Education course - Listening skills, Lockerley | |
| 9th November 2024 | Education course - Calling & conducting, St. Mary Bourne | |
| 16th November 2024 | Executive Committee Meeting |
Bruce Purvis had been contacted by Mark Jones, who is writing a book on British 78s and vinyl records that include recordings of church bells, seeking permission to reproduce the sleeve of the 1979 LP Centenary Bells. The LP was published by the Winchester District and contained recordings of Winchester District bells. The sleeve design was by the late Graham Grant and Bruce had obtained permission from his daughter, Jenny Herriott, with the proviso that Graham’s artwork is explicitly acknowledged.
Tony Smith reminded members that all Guild committees would be up for election at the AGM. He said that Lizzie Colliss would not be offering herself for re-election to the Education or Communications Committees and Charlotte Colliss would be standing down as Independent Examiner.
The Master reminded members that the deadline for ordering Guild garments from Christine Knights-Whittome was Tuesday 26th March.
There being no further business, the Master closed the meeting at 10.55 a.m.
In September 2023 Christine and Peter Hill moved to Somerset after 40 years living and ringing in the Guild area. During that time they have successively been members of towers in three different Districts: Hambledon in the Portsmouth District, Southampton City Centre in the Christchurch & Southampton District and Hursley in the Winchester District.
They both held office in all three Districts: Christine as Portsmouth District Deputy Ringing Master, Christchurch & Southampton District Ringing Master and Winchester District Secretary and Ringing Master; and Peter as Portsmouth District Executive Committee Representative, Christchurch & Southampton District Vice-Chairman and Executive Committee Representative, and Winchester District Chairman.
They have also both held office at Guild level: both serving on the Striking Competition Committee, then Peter as Convenor of the Education Committee; and Christine as Vice-Master when Viv Nobbs was Master, during which term she led the team who organised the very successful Central Council visit in 2016.
They have done much to develop ringing in the Guild on all numbers of bells. Peter has rung 389 peals on tower and handbells for the Guild and Christine has rung 325 peals on tower and handbells for the Guild, conducting 153 of them, making her the leading lady conductor for the Guild and including the first twelve-bell peal rung by a ladies band for the Guild.
Christine and Peter are, of course, eligible to transfer to Compounding membership. However, in recognition of their many services to the Guild over 40 years, I propose that, in accordance with Guild rule 6b, the Executive Committee should recommend their election to Life membership at the AGM on 8th June 2024.
Tony Smith
February 2024