PORTSMOUTH DISTRICT’S RECORD MEETING.
A quarterly meeting of the Portsmouth District was held at Hambledon on Saturday last [May 21st], and although the weather was somewhat uncertain, over 60 members and friends were present from Alverstoke, Bramshott, Fareham, Havant, Hambledon, North Stoneham, Netley, Portsmouth (St. Mary’s and St. Thomas’), Swanmore and Wickham, together with the Master and general secretary. The peal of six were kept busy during the afternoon until 4.30, when a very enjoyable service was held in the church, at which the Vicar (Rev. E. Kynaston) officiated. An excellent tea was provided at the George Hotel, and although more attended than was expected, they were all provided for in a short time.
The business meeting, which followed, was presided over by the Vicar, who is an honorary member of the Guild. Two probationers from St. Mary’s, Portsmouth, were elected.
It was a very pleasant surprise to the members to see their old district secretary, Mr. E. J. Harding, sen., with them again, after an absence of over two years, and the Master said that it gave him great pleasure to propose that Mr. Harding be re-elected a member.- Mr. F. S. Bayley (Fareham) endorsed the Master’s remarks, and the meeting unanimously supported the election.- Mr. Harding replied, saying that he was very pleased to be with them all again, and he hoped he would be spared to be amongst them more in the future.
Petersfield, Curdridge and East Meon were proposed as the venue of the next meeting, and on being put to the vote it was decided to hold it at East Meon on August 20th, due notice of which will appear in ‘The Ringing World.’
The question of the Guild certificates was raised by Mr. W. E. Hunt (Hambledon), and the general secretary replied that he was only awaiting the signature of the Bishop, which is usually attached to them, before he distributed them to the district secretaries.
On the motion of Mr. T. Taylor, the meeting extended congratulations to Mr. G. Williams on his 70th birthday, which took place recently.
Votes of thanks were accorded the Vicar for the use of the bells and also to the organist, and before the meeting closed a course of Grandsire Caters was rung in hand by F. A. Burnett 1-2, F. S. Bayley 3-4, G. Williams 5-6, F. W. Rogers 7-8, T. R. Taylor 9-10, at the local ringers’ request. The members then returned to the tower for further ringing in various methods, including Cambridge Surprise.
As there was such a large gathering, the Portsmouth contingent, who had made the journey by road, together with Messrs. Williams, Pullinger, Bayley and Linter, visited Soberton, where ready permission was given to ring, and all enjoyable hour was spent in methods from Stedman, Double Norwich, Cambridge and Bristol Surprise Major.
The Ringing World No. 844, May 27th, 1927, page 331