The Guild AGM was held at Bishop’s Waltham in 2007 and David Strong was elected the 12th Guild Master and I was pleased to be elected the 23rd Guild Secretary (according to the records). Unfortunately, there is still no person to fill the post of Vice-Master which was introduced by the Guild in 2005 when David Strong was elected. Hopefully, this is a position, which may be filled this year so that a certain amount of continuity can be maintained at the triennium elections. Congratulations are due to Alan Buswell and Joan and Ron Pike who all achieved 50 years’ membership of the Guild in 2007 and were awarded life membership of the Guild and also to Tony Smith for his forthcoming presidency of the Central Council of Church Bell Ringers.
2007 saw the successful publication of the book “Church Bells of the Channel Islands” written by the Rev David Cawley and published by the Guild. The book contains a history of the bells in the Channel Islands which are listed by their diameters, weights, inscriptions and founders, and illustrated with around 45 photographs and drawings. All profits from the book are going to the Guild Bell Restoration Fund.
Winchester Cathedral’s bells welcomed back Hampshire’s service men and women from Afghanistan and Iraq as they assembled in the Broadway for their march through the city on 29th January 2008. Ringers from the Guild including members of the cathedral band rang a quarter peal of 1259 changes of Grandsire Caters in honour of their return.
The bells of Romsey Abbey were also refurbished and rehung in the tower in September 2007 after they had been out of action for a few months awaiting the tenor to be repaired and for a new wooden sub-frame to be made. The original frame dated back to 1791.
Hursley ringers are also making good use of their new ring of 12 bells by entering a local Sunday service band for the National 12 bell competition which is being held at Lincoln at the end of June. Appropriately for the location, the method is Lincolnshire Surprise Maximus. Before that, Hursley will have to qualify for the competition by ringing at Tewkesbury Abbey in the eliminator round at the end of March so good luck to all members of the band.
Lastly, I would like to thank all the District Secretaries and Guild Officers, both past and present, and especially David Strong and Steve Castle for their help and support during my first year as Guild Secretary.
Pam Thompson