Our Annual General Meeting in July was kindly hosted by the Basingstoke District, with the Inter-District 8-Bell Striking Competition being held at Bramley, and won by the Christchurch and Southampton District. Congratulations were extended to Ray Stone of West Meon, on being presented with Honorary Life Membership of the Guild, having achieved 50 years membership. The Guild’s thanks go to all those who helped make the day a success.
The AGM saw Guild Subscriptions increased in order to benefit the Bell Restoration Fund, and two new Officers were elected. Firstly, Mike Hopkins Till as Vice-Master, which ensures a steady flow of leadership for the years to come, and I too was very pleased to be elected to serve as Guild Secretary. My particular thanks go to Pam Thompson, David Strong and Mike Bubb for all their help and guidance during my first year, and to all those District Secretaries and Guild Committee members who have welcomed and given me much valuable insight into the running of the Guild.
The Annual Guild Dinner was held in Southampton, and much appreciation, as the current committee stepped down, for all their hard work and enthusiasm. It was not until the November Executive Committee meeting that a new Social Committee was formed, and it is to be hoped that, as before, Guild members will support them, and this traditionally enjoyable event, at the next Dinner in Winchester.
Striking competitions remain an important part of Guild ringing life, with the Guild Inter-Tower 6 and 8 Bell Competitions won by St Mary Bourne and Bishopstoke respectively. Nationally, both Hursley and Southampton entered teams in the 12-Bell Striking Competition, and we wish them well as they enter again this year, competing in eliminators at Birmingham Cathedral and Evesham. It is good to see such support for striking events, and hopefully this will be echoed in the 2011 Guild Competitions, also being organised by a new Striking Competitions Committee.
One particular highlight in the 2010 ringing calendar was the first peal at Portsmouth Cathedral following their augmentation to twelve bells, with Grandsire Cinques being rung on 3rd May.
Looking ahead to 2011, alongside the valuable Education Days, Striking Competitions and Guild Dinner that bring us all together, we also have the new initiative of a District Officers’ Forum in April, intended to unite the Districts by bringing their ideas, plans and developments to the Guild, so that they, and the ringing community as a whole, can communicate, support and help each other more effectively. It is hoped these will become a regular element of the Guild calendar. We also look forward to marking the Ringing World Centenary on 26th March. And finally, the Guild AGM on 2nd July, which is this year being hosted by the Isle of Wight District, where we all anticipate a successful and enjoyable day.
Clare Griffiths