Our AGM in July was very kindly hosted by our Channel Islands members who also, while celebrating significant anniversaries, simultaneously coordinated their third Channel Islands Ringing Festival. Our thanks are due to all who worked to deliver this most enjoyable event and to draw attention to our Guild. The CI’s significance was also displayed during the year by having a ten-week Bell Ringing adult education course relaunched in Guernsey (with a replication possibly being planned on Jersey) and by an open day attracting a handful of new learners.
Life membership was conferred on Ruth Jackson and Gladys Matcham of Eling, R Andrew Routh of Steep, and Canon Barry Fry of Southampton.
Maybe the most significant event during 2005 was one District’s production of a ten year plan - time will tell! Mapping District- wide goals, resources and needs over a timescale may well be a useful tool to maximise use of time, creativity and resources. The Bell Stock Survey has similar aspirations. Another candidate for “most significant event”, and worthy of congratulations, was Tony Smith’s election as Vice-President of the Central Council. This was, amongst other things, a tribute to his time and effort he gave to Council over a number of years. Guild representation at national level was further enhanced by Hugh Routh’s election to the Central Council Towers and Belfries Committee and Phil Watts’ accession to a Ringing World directorship
The Ringing World Roadshow was held outside the Guild boundary in Newbury. Isle of Wight ringers visited and made this their District outing. 2006, refreshingly, saw teams from two Districts enter a call change competition in Devon, where the focus was diverted away from advanced methods and towards bell-handling and striking. The team comprising Andover and Petersfield members was awarded the “Best out of county team” Trophy.
The District ADMs provided good company, food and stimulation. It is always difficult to know which of our service ringing support activities (training, bell maintenance, recruitment, socializing, competition, administration) should take priority, but I was concerned to find at one meeting the last election taking place was for Help Squad Manager. Another District became the recipient of long service and support for ringing in their area when two members both clocked up twenty years each as District officers.
Details of most non-service ringing events, District and Guild-wide, are available on the Guild’s website and usually complete by the end of February. Some of these may be “subject to change”. To get as many ringers as possible (including some from outside your District) to your events please continue to let me, your District secretary, or the Guild E-List know of any updates as soon as they become available.
Our Committees appear to be flourishing, supported by strong leadership, but I would particularly welcome shared thinking about “best ways to recruit”. This year’s AGM is on 1st July at Christchurch where we shall elect the Committee Convenors for the next three years. At next year’s 2007 AGM we elect Guild officers.
I am grateful to Guild officers, Committee members and District officers for their work, and especially to those who ring for services.
Steve Castle