PORTSMOUTH DISTRICT SECRETARY RETIRES.
It was at the Cathedral that the annual meeting of the Portsmouth District of the Winchester and Portsmouth Diocesan Guild was held on Saturday [Jan. 17th], when over 40 members were present from Alverstoke, Bramshott, Gosport, Petersfield, Portsmouth (Cathedral and St. Mary’s), Swanmore, Titchfield, Ryde and Wickham, also the Master (Mr. G. Williams). The bells were available during the afternoon and evening, and the Guild’s service was held in the Cathedral, at which the Rev. A. F. Smethurst officiated and the Provost (Canon T. H. Masters) preached.
An excellent tea was served in the Green Row Rooms, after which the business meeting was held, the Provost being voted to the chair. The balance sheet showed receipts amounting to £30 5s. 6½d., and expenditure £8 2s. 8d., leaving a credit balance of £22 2s. 10½d., and was accepted.
The Hon. Secretary (Mr. F. W. Rogers) reminded the members that as he was also holding the office of general secretary he felt it impossible to carry on in both capacities, and left it to the wish of the members which post he should give up. As it was felt that the district should not create any difficulty to the Guild as a whole, it was finally resolved to relieve him of the office of district secretary, Mr. A. T. Greenwood (Portsmouth) was invited to accept this position, which he consented to do.
The election of district officers resulted as under: Chairman, Mr. R. J. Stone; secretary, Mr. A. T. Greenwood, 14, Cobourg Street, Portsmouth; auditor, Mr. H. G. Reynolds; representatives on committee, Messrs. F. A. Burnett and R. J. Stone. The Rev. S. Cumpsty (Cathedral) was elected a ringing member.
It was decided to hold the next meeting at Petersfield and Steep on Saturday, April 25th.
Votes of thanks were accorded the Provost for the use of the bells and for presiding at the meeting, also the organist. Afterwards the members returned to the tower for further ringing, which during the day ranged from the standard methods to Superlative, Cambridge and London Surprise Major.
The Ringing World No. 1036, January 30th, 1931, page 73