The Guild Master - Pater Niblett, supported by the Hon. Gen. Secretary - Alex Blissett, Hon. Gen. Treasurer - Robin Milford and Minute Secretary - Tony Smith, opened the meeting at 10.17 a.m., welcomed those present and said a prayer.
The other members attending were Martin Barnes (Belfry Stewardship), Michael Church (CC Rep.), Lizzie Colliss (Report Editor), John Croft (Winchester Exec Rep.), Margaret Downer (IoW Exec Rep.), Lucy Hopkins Till (Andover Exec Rep.), Mike Hopkins Till (CC Rep.), Andy Ingram (Vice-Master), Sallie-Louise Ingram (C&S Sec.), Pete Jordan (Striking Competitions), Stephen Lutener (Basingstoke Exec Rep.), Kaye Mitchell (C&S Exec Rep.), Micki Nadal (Winchester Sec.), Bruce Purvis (Librarian & Archivist), Hugh Routh (A&P Sec. proxy), Mo Routh (A&P Exec Rep.), Margaret Smith (Basingstoke Sec.), Judy Sparling (Education) and Matthew Wilks (Portsmouth Exec Rep.).
Apologies for absence had been received from Rachael Barber, Kirsten Cousens, Martin Daniels, Anne Deegan, Rodolph de Salis, Chris Ford, Barry Fry, Greg Jordan, David Mattingley, Viv Nobbs, Richard Paxford and Rebecca Restall.
The Master asked members to stand while the Hon. Gen. Secretary read the following names and the Master said a prayer.
Members
| Rob Chapman | Lymington | |
| Matthieu Chassagne | Highclere | |
| Bill Harris (LM) | Catherington | |
| Di Mavor | Sopley | |
| Frank R Morton | Milford-on-Sea | |
| Diana Sanderson | Highclere | |
| Andrew Spiller | Petersfield |
Former members
| Bill Briggs | St. Mary, Liss | |
| Jon Burgess | Ryde | |
| Terry Drabble | Sherfield English | |
| C Reader Englefield | Bishopstoke | |
| Peter H Gallienne | Forest, Guernsey | |
| Linda Hallett | Bishopstoke | |
| Graeme Keel | Bentley | |
| John Maybrey | unattached member of A&P District | |
| Robbie Sherwood | Vale, Guernsey | |
| Rod Warren | Netley | |
| Keith White | Rotherwick |
The minutes of the meeting held on 15th November 2025 were proposed by Bruce Purvis, seconded by Mike Hopkins Till, approved nem. con. and signed by the Master as a true record.
(6) The Master had received an email from Dan Graham saying that the Information Commissioner’s Office had reviewed his complaint and decided to close the case. In reply to a question from Judy Sparling, the Master confirmed that the church authorities are not investigating the other issues raised by Dan Graham.
(12.ii) The principal officers had produced a Legitimate Interest Assessment which would be published on the Guild website that afternoon.
Michael Church appreciated the way this affair had been sorted out and thanked the Master.
Safeguarding Officer. The Master said that the job description had been revised and the Safer Recruitment process described in his statement at the last meeting would be followed. Nick Halder from Petersfield has agreed to advise on the recruitment process and to sit on the interview panel. In reply to a question from Michael Church, the Master confirmed he would continue to act as interim Safeguarding Officer.
Central Council Representatives (two). There were no candidates.
Communications Committee. Alex Blissett proposed by the Master, seconded by Lizzie Colliss.
| Alan D Elsmore | Eling | |
| Angela Forder-Stent | Twyford | |
| Francis W Mitchell | Netley | |
| Mary Sterry | Lyndhurst |
The following reports and accounts had been distributed and were considered.
General Secretary. No comments.
General Treasurer (and accounts). No comments.
Peal Recorder. No comments.
Librarian and Archivist. No comments.
Public Relations Officer. No comments.
Education Committee. No comments.
Striking Competitions Committee. No comments.
Belfry Stewardship Committee. No comments.
Communications Committee. No comments.
Youth Ringing Committee. Andy Ingram was pleased that a reformed Vectis Youths team from the Isle of Wight would be going to the RWNYC.
The reports were accepted en bloc on the proposition of Pete Jordan, seconded by Margaret Smith.
The Master 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.
Reports and accounts for 2025. The Hon. Gen. Treasurer said the report and accounts as distributed had been approved by the Trustees on a Google Meet teleconference call the previous evening.
Report on Trustees’ meeting. The Hon. Gen. Secretary said no grants had been paid since the last meeting, the unallocated fund stood at £11,639.58, and he provided updates on the outstanding grants:
St James, Bramley (£5,750). The bells have returned and the rehang is complete.
St Peter & Paul, Ringwood (£15,000). The contract has been agreed with Whites of Appleton.
St Mary, Overton (£5,000). The bells have been removed by Whites, the new louvres and sound control has been fitted and the frame has been painted. The bells are due to return to the church and be rehung in time for Easter.
Brading (£20,000). The project is still live, they have had an updated quote from Matthew Higby. They are also in the process of applying for grants from the Garfield Weston Foundation, the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Historic Churches Trust and Brading Town Council.
All Saints, Dogmersfield (£8,000). The bells have been removed by Matthew Higby and the order for the additional three bells has been placed.
St Peters, Ropley (Supplementary £2,000). The order for the fourth bell to be recast has now been placed.
A new application had been received from St Mary the Virgin, Stratfield Saye for new fixtures and fittings including new headstocks, clappers, stays, sliders, ropes and restoring the wheels. The bells will also be re-tuned and augmented from 5 bells to 6 bells with the donation of a new treble from the Keltek Trust. There is also the additional metal work required to strengthen the frame of the bells and the tower (£60,000). On behalf of the Trustees, Alex proposed a grant of £6,000 which were seconded by John Croft and agreed nem. con.
The trustees had discussed the need for significant additional fund-raising if the average grant level of £20,000 per year was to be maintained.
Pete Jordan had taken part in the test ring at Bramley and said they were much improved.
| 1st April 2026 | Education course - How to learn methods, Zoom webinar | |
| 18th April 2026 | SEECON Youth Striking Contest - New Alresford | |
| 25th April 2026 | Education course - Ringing on higher numbers | |
| 16th May 2026 | Inter-Tower 6-bell striking competition - Froxfield | |
| 13th June 2026 | Inter-District 8-bell striking competition - Eling (TBC) | |
| AGM - Lyndhurst (TBC) | ||
| 4th July 2026 | RWNYC - Nottingham | |
| 12th September 2026 | Essex Trophy - Sussex County Association | |
| 19th September 2026 | Inter-Tower 8-bell striking competition - Petersfield | |
| 10th October 2026 | Education course - Listening skills | |
| 14th November 2026 | Education course - Stedman Doubles & Triples | |
| 21st November 2026 | Executive Committee Meeting |
The Hon. Gen. Secretary was planning to relaunch the Guild Newsletter, which he hoped could be published quarterly, and he solicited material for an edition in June. In reply to a question from Michael Church, he said that the availability of the Newsletter would be widely publicised via the district secretaries, the Win-Port mailing list and Facebook group.
The Master said that the Winchester District was planning to produce a Special recognition certificate to honour a member’s contribution, when, for example, their age meant it was unlikely they would qualify for life membership. The certificates might be signed by the District Chairman and Guild Master. Other districts interested in doing something similar were invited to contact Micki Nadal.
There being no further business, the Master closed the meeting at 11.13 a.m.