I was greatly pleased at our last AGM, kindly hosted by the A&P, to be returned again after a period of twenty years, to the general secretarial role! The primary focus of the role is to support the District secretaries. As one of my illustrious predecessors once said, in fact more than once, “the Districts are the Guild”. The 2023 ADM Minutes very much confirm this and it is District members who combine on the committees to provide Guild-wide assistance. The Districts seem to be more-than complying with our ‘number one rule’, to encourage and support each other in ringing for the Church: in fact, being a resource for each other. ADM Minutes suggest some of the key players in this are the District Ringing Masters who often attempt to visit as many of their District’s towers are they can.
With the background of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, 2022 could also be claimed as having been an extra-ordinary year for the United Kingdom. Ringing for the Platinum Anniversary for our late Queen, contrasted with that marking her sad but peaceful passing in Scotland. I remember around that time, walking over London Bridge hearing the open tenor backstrokes of St Magnus’ otherwise fully-muffled bells. This motif was also followed in our Guild.
Whatever our level of ringing experience, we all have one identical skill, the ability to get fired-up about ringing. A natural enthusiasm can be infectiously attractive. Several Districts have been truly inspirational in their enthusiasm for recruitment. Perhaps an informal recruitment resources / ideas website page will encourage successful recruiters to share some of their insights. An event in your area, for example an Apple Day, provides a ready-made group eager to also be invited up your tower!
A similar website page possibility exists for successful fund-raisers - to avoid blushes I will only allude to some of the preserves stocked in the Portsmouth District! Your Report for 2022 will show how some Districts have their own youth coordinators, education officers, communications and maintenance teams.
Central Council and others have initiated PR opportunities through the ringing for Camilla and Charles III’s coronation. I wish success for the Youth Team representing us at the prestigious National Competition in York and wish you all much joyous ringing throughout the year.
Steve Castle