2011 saw a new organising committee and a new venue for the annual Guild Dinner. Just over 70 members and friends gathered at the Holiday Inn, Winchester on May 21st and most seemed impressed with the setting, a new hotel which had only been open a year. After a most enjoyable meal, the Guild Master, David Strong, thanked the organising committee and welcomed the guests. The principal guests were Rt Rev Christopher Foster, Bishop of Portsmouth, and his wife Rev Sally Foster. Bishop Christopher is one of the Patrons of the Guild and had been Bishop of the Diocese for less than a year. It was an honour that he was able to join us and he was the first speaker, telling the company of his parishes and experiences with ringers and proposing the toast to the guild. Maintaining the Portsmouth theme, the reply on behalf of the Guild was made by Ian Carey, tower captain at Portsmouth Cathedral. Ian spoke of his ringing memories and concluded by reading part of a story written by a young ringer.
After the formal part of the evening, members continued to socialise and make full use of the bar which had obtained proper beer (which the committee had to press hard to get!) especially for the occasion.
Tickets for Guild Dinners may appear to be quite expensive but to hire a venue such as this, which is large enough to cope with the numbers involved, means paying a large room charge on top of the cost of the meal and service.
As generally the event received favourable comments, the committee decided to return to the same venue for the 2012 dinner on Saturday 28th April.
| Income | Expenditure | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| £.p | £.p | ||
| Balance b/f | 223.47 | Hire of Room | 250.00 |
| 73 tickets sold @ £29.50 | 2,153.50 | 77 meals at £26.50 (less £200 deposit) | 1,840.50 |
| Loan from Central Fund | 100.00 | Wine for top table | 42.00 |
| Flowers | 47.40 | ||
| Deposit 2012 dinner | 200.00 | ||
| Balance c/f | 97.07 | ||
| £2,476.97 | £2,476.97 | ||
Charlotte Colliss