2014 was another busy year for the Winchester and Portsmouth Guild with its usual mix of education, business and ringing. The Education Committee again provided several varied and interesting day courses which soon got booked up, but it’s important to remember that they need the support of many helpers to run these so please do offer all the help you can. The pub lunches, that form part of the day, always provide a good opportunity for meeting other ringers and having a good chat!
A financial review was launched during the year into how funds are both raised through the membership fees, how this is split between districts and the Guild, the proportion that is put towards the Bell Restoration Fund and how the residue is used on Guild matters. At the AGM, held at Goodworth Clatford this year, as a first step it was decided that in future the proportion allocated to the BRF could also include other ringing-related charities, if a future AGM voted that this should happen. It is expected the review will be completed in time for a full report at the Guild AGM in 2015.
Colin Butler of Southampton and Faith Webster of Hordle completed 50 years of Guild membership in 2014, and so became Life Members. Many congratulations to them both.
At the July AGM a BRF grant of up to £3,000 was awarded to Monk Sherborne to enable completion of their project which involved new fittings and re-tuning of four of the bells. In November the Executive meeting approved grants of £3,000 to All Saints, Basingstoke to augment from nine to ten bells, and £4,000 to Houghton towards a new ring of six bells and the retention of two historic bells in the existing frame.
The Inter-Tower Striking Competitions, held at All Saints, Alton (6-bell) and St Lawrence, Alton (8-bell) on May 17th, were won respectively by a joint team from Eling and Fawley who rang Grandsire Doubles and Hursley who rang Cambridge Surprise Major. The Inter-District 8-bell competition held at Hurstbourne Priors on July 5th was won by Christchurch and Southampton. Many congratulations to these, and indeed all those who entered the competitions. It is hoped that in 2015 a Guild Youth event will take place which could involve a form of competition specifically for our younger ringers. The Vectis Youths from the Isle of Wight again entered the National Youth Competition at Worcester, and very well done to them as well.
In March, Winchester hosted one of the national ‘Have your Say’ meetings organised by the Central Council. This was well attended by members from our Guild as well as neighbouring ones and provided food for thought on where ringing is headed and how best to ensure there are ringers for the future. In October the Guild Officers held another District Officers’ Forum, inviting two representatives from each District to come and share their thoughts, plans and concerns about ringing in their areas and how the Guild and its Officers can best assist them. It was an interesting morning’s discussion and will be repeated in 2015. However it shouldn’t be thought this is the only opportunity for members to talk to the Guild Officers, they are (nearly) always available by email or phone for questions or advice.
Towards the end of the year a notable peal was rung for the Guild, a record length of Bristol Surprise Major comprising 28,152 changes which took 13 hours and 6 minutes and was rung at Awbridge Clock House. This was also John Dodd’s 1000th peal, congratulations to him and all the band.
Finally, my thanks to all the District Secretaries for disseminating the information I send them throughout the year.
Maureen Routh