2000 has been a year of consolidation in the Guild. It started with the ringing at mid-day on 1 January, which was fully documented in the Guild Report for 1999. This was itself preceded by the recruitment and training of 640 new or lapsed ringers across the Guild. Many of the Guild and District activities in 2000 have been concerned with furthering their ringing.
Although some of these ringers have unfortunately not continued after the Millennium celebrations, the vast majority have become valuable members of their local bands and indeed, in some cases, are essential to keeping the bells ringing. At my own tower, Winchester Cathedral, for example, we welcomed 13 new learners/returners. Two have joined other local bands and three have regretfully decided not to continue. Several of the other eight now play a significant part in organising local District and Guild-wide activities, as well as being needed to ring all 14 bells every Sunday.
It is to these new ringers that our towers, Districts and Guild as a whole will undoubtedly turn to in the near future for their Officers.
Our AGM in July was pleasantly organised by the Winchester District, with the meeting itself being held in the Cathedral Refectory and the Guild Service in one of the chapels in the Cathedral. Canon Keith Walker, a Guild member, preached and Graham Grant played the Cathedral’s organ. A full day’s activities were concluded by a splendid barbecue held in a pub garden at Shawford. Thank you Winchester District ringers for your organisation.
Robert Cater