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., welcomed those present and said a prayer.
The other members attending were Martin Barnes (Belfry Stewardship), Anne Deegan (IoW Sec.), Kirsten Cousens (Portsmouth Sec.), John Croft (Winchester Exec Rep.), Rodolph de Salis (Andover Sec. proxy), Margaret Downer (IoW Exec Rep.), Dan Graham (Safeguarding), Lucy Hopkins Till (Andover Exec Rep.), Mike Hopkins Till (CC Rep.), Andy Ingram (Education), Sallie-Louise Ingram (C&S Sec.), Pete Jordan (Immediate Past Master, Striking Competitions), Stephen Lutener (Basingstoke Exec Rep.), Micki Nadal (Winchester Sec.), John Palk (Report Editor), Bruce Purvis (Librarian & Archivist) and Margaret Smith (CC Rep., Basingstoke Sec.)
Apologies for absence had been received from Ian Carey, Michael Church, Barry Fry, David Mattingley, Roger Smith and Matthew Wilks.
The Minute Secretary read the following names and the Master asked members to stand in memory.
| John Gresswell | Hawkley | |
| Graeme Keel | Bentley | |
| David Parry | Ryde | |
| Chas Seamons | Selborne | |
| Bill Webb | East Woodhay | |
| John Bolt | formerly of Christchurch | |
| Hilary Coles (née Brown) | formerly of Chale | |
| John A Nundy | formerly of Catherington | |
| Roger Simons | formerly of Petersfield | |
| Sonia C Tucker | formerly of Winchester Cathedral | |
| Pauline Wood | formerly of St. Mary Bourne |
The minutes of the meeting held on 16th November 2024 were proposed by Pete Jordan, seconded by John Croft, approved nem. con. and signed by the Master as a true record.
(15) Churches at risk. The Master had received some PowerPoint slides from Simon Linford, rather than a general summary of the main points in email format which could be cascaded down to the districts and towers which was what she had requested. She asked Martin Barnes if the Belfry Stewardship Committee could consider and advise how we might best guide and support the districts. Micki Nadal said that in the last few days she had received an email from the Winchester Diocese with links showing the level of risk to churches in the diocese and she would send this to Tony Smith for distribution to interested parties. Dan Graham said the Safeguarding Audit identified churches with bells but no ringers. The Vice-Master said he had performed an assessment of towers in the Andover District.
Hon. General Secretary There were no candidates.
Public Relations Officer. There were no candidates.
Graham Nobbs (Ryde).
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. No comments.
Public Relations Officer. Position vacant. No report.
Education Committee. No comments.
Striking Competitions Committee. No comments.
Belfry Stewardship Committee. No comments.
Communications Committee. No comments.
Youth Ringing Committee. No comments.
The reports were accepted en bloc on the proposition of Bruce Purvis, seconded by John Palk.
Tony Smith said that a PowerPoint presentation would be prepared for the AGM with a couple of points from each report, to showcase the work of the Guild. Officers and Committee Convenors (or their alternates) were asked to attend the meeting to take credit for their work and answer any questions. In answer to a question from Bruce Purvis, Tony agreed that illustrations could be included.
Reports and accounts. The Hon. Gen. Treasurer said the report and accounts as distributed had been approved by the Trustees on a Zoom call the previous evening.
Report on Trustees’ meeting. Two new grant applications had been received from Overton and Dogmersfield too late for consideration and would be held over until a subsequent meeting,
Audit Results. Papers from Dan Graham had been distributed. The Vice-Master said that at his tower, Whitchurch, the church had suggested that references were needed for Tower Captains. Dan said that in practice churches set their own standards for safe recruitment.
Visiting Ringers’ Form Feedback and Update. A paper from Dan Graham had been distributed. In answer to a question from Bruce Purvis about visiting ringers on the sex offenders’ register, Dan said the responsibilities lay with the visiting organiser.
A supporting paper from Steve Marriott seeking sponsorship for his callchangesim.co.uk website had been distributed. Andy Ingram thought the use of online facilities was a positive but thought funding from ART might be a better fit. Lucy Hopkins Till was surprised funding had been refused by the Central Council and suspected the wrong workgroup might have been approached. Following discussion the Master proposed and Bruce Purvis seconded sponsorship of £250 and this was agreed against one.
| 5th April 2025 | Education course - Listening skills, Basingstoke | |
| 12th April 2025 | SEECON Youth Striking Contest - Twyford, Berkshire | |
| 17th May 2025 | Inter-Tower 6-bell striking competition - Wickham | |
| 14th June 2025 | Inter-District 8-bell striking competition - New Alresford | |
| AGM - Ropley | ||
| 5th July 2025 | RWNYC - Birmingham | |
| 20th September 2025 | Inter-Tower 8-bell striking competition | |
| 11th October 2025 | Education course - Double Oxford Bob Minor, Eling | |
| 15th November 2025 | Executive Committee Meeting | |
| 22nd November 2025 | Education course - Call changes/ basic calling of PB5 and G5 |
The Master said that all officers would be up for election at the AGM. She would not be standing for re-election as Master and John Palk announced that he would not be standing for re-election as Report Editor. In reply to a question from Andy Ingram, Tony Smith said that brief job descriptions would be prepared.
There being no further business, the Master closed the meeting at 11.10 a.m.