The Guild events of 2013 began with two excellent Education Committee courses in March on Plain Hunt and using a simulator. The committee then followed this up with further courses in April and November which proved very popular with our members.
In April the Andover District hosted the two Inter-Tower Striking Competitions, the 8-bell contest at Goodworth Clatford, where Romsey retained the trophy, and the 6-bell contest at Abbot’s Ann, where honours went to the Basingstoke band. In July the Inter-District 8-bell Competition was held at Jersey St John on the morning of the AGM, and here the Portsmouth District took the title and the team was presented with the new trophy made by Graham Grant. The Inter-District 10-bell Competition was held at East Meon in September, with the Winchester District judged the winners. Congratulations to all the teams who entered and well done for taking part.
The 2013 Guild AGM was held on Jersey in the Channel Islands District, with a full programme of events including ringing on all the islands, and an informal dinner on Jersey. It was pleasing to see 43 members attending the meeting, including many who had decided to include the AGM as part of a holiday in the area. During the meeting it was announced that Leonard T Perrins of Ringwood was now a Life Member of the Guild after completing 50 years membership. He had already been presented with his certificate in the Christchurch and Southampton District. The election of Guild officers for the new triennium also took place, with Viv Nobbs becoming our new Guild Master, and Christine Hill taking on the role of Vice-Master. David Strong, the outgoing Master, thanked all the previous officers for their contributions during the previous three years. At the end of the meeting, Viv Nobbs spoke warmly in appreciation of all the hard work that David Strong had done for the Guild during his tenure, to which the members present added a standing ovation.
There were two augmentations during the year at Guild towers, Minstead becoming a ring of 6, and Alderney becoming the Channel Islands’ first ring of 12. The BRF recommended a grant towards the work at Minstead, along with others to Buriton, Hinton Admiral, Northington and Tichbourne for various projects.
We all knew that David Strong was ill when he handed over the role of Master in July, and the new officers decided that they would like to encourage the Guild members to show their respect and appreciation of his work by doing some special ringing, either a touch, quarter or peal in his honour. The resulting details of what was rung, where and by whom, was co-ordinated by Christine Hill and presented to him as a bound copy just a few days before his death in November, and was much appreciated. His thanksgiving service was attended by many ringers from throughout the Guild area and beyond, and our sympathies go to his wife Anne and his family.
On a personal note I would like to thank my predecessor, Clare Griffiths, for handing over the role of Honorary General Secretary along with copious notes to guide me on my way! I look forward to meeting many Guild members during the next three years, and if I can be of assistance to anyone during that time please contact me and I will do what I can to help.
Maureen Routh