2002 was a year of steady progress across the Guild, helping to fulfil the Guild’s Aims, which include the furtherance of Sunday service ringing and the maintenance of bells and fittings.
There is hardly a tower (if any) in the Guild which now doesn’t have its own Sunday service band or regular Sunday ringing by an adjoining band. The Districts have provided a wealth of practices throughout the year, supplemented by those provided by the Guild’s Education Sub-committee. A significant amount of restoration work has been carried out and indeed the Master’s own church, St Barnabas, Southampton, received its own ring of six bells. Details of all these activities are given in the reports following.
Our AGM in July was kindly hosted by the Basingstoke District at St Michael’s, Basingstoke. Our thanks go to them for their hard work in organising the event. In particular, thanks are due to all those who provided a splendid evening’s entertainment, but sadly attended by only a few visitors.
A highlight during the year was the hosting of the final of the 27th National 12-Bell Striking Contest at Winchester Cathedral on 22 June. Over 200 ringers thronged the Cathedral Close and Refectory - and consumed over 1000 pints of Real Ale alone - to hear the ringing and the declaration of the results. The band representing the Cathedral, made up of ringers from the Guild, came seventh out of the eight teams participating.
It is the Guild’s 125th anniversary in 2004 and currently plans are being formulated as to how it should be celebrated. Ideas are very welcome.
Robert Cater