Guild AGM day - 26/04/2008

Annual General Meeting

The last Saturday in April has a permanent significance for members of the Diocesan Guild of Bell Ringers. They come from all parts of the diocese to the AGM in Lincoln. The really early birds toil up the Cathedral stairs to ring before the 10am Eucharist, then join others filling Lincoln’s unique Ringers’ Chapel This year the chapel was packed and around 70 people were present at the Service, which was conducted by the Guild President, Dean Philip Buckler with Jonathan Clarke, a ringer at Washingborough, as server.

Having given the day the proper beginning, we adjourned to Bailgate Methodist Church for the business of the AGM, held in the Chapel itself – a great improvement acoustically on recent venues. The Departed were remembered, the Apologies given (were there more absent than present?), and Philip Green and Judith Williamson were elected honorary members.

Philip has been a very active member of the Elloe Deaneries Branch for many years, and has held most offices in the Branch. Perhaps his greatest contribution to the Guild is his printing of the Annual Report for a number of years, and last year he produced, at no cost to the Guild, a Christmas card which raised over £800 for the Guild Belfry Repair Fund. Philip has also printed a number of publications for the Central Council.

Judith Williamson, until her recent move out of the County, was Guild Librarian, and was responsible for much reorganization of the Library, and in particular for the revised and updated Library Catalogue. She has also been very involved in compiling a record of peal boards throughout the Diocese.

The rest of the statutory business of an AGM was swiftly dispatched with the Guild Master in the chair, greatly assisted by Dan Meyer dashing around with the portable microphone. All the Guild Officers were re-elected with the exception of the Treasurer and Librarian. Roger Lord replaces Nicola Jones in the former office, and Delia Heppenstall replaces Judith Williamson.

The Guild finances were reported to be in a healthy state, thanks to the efforts of the Guild Fund raising Committee. This also applies to the Guild Belfry Repair Fund, although there are a number of grants waiting to be paid out. The revitalized Fund Raising Committee has been very active in their first year, with Guild Clothing for sale raising around £100, a raffle which has raised a surprising £400, and other initiatives in the pipeline.

Les Townsend, the Guild Secretary, spoke about a Tribute to Keith Buckingham, immediate Past Master who had died last year, which had been compiled and edited by John Ketteringham. A leather bound copy had been presented to Sue, Keith’s widow, and a similar copy had been presented to the Guild Library.

AGM’s do not just happen, and we were grateful to Robin Heppenstall for giving our thanks to all who had contributed the labour to make it all work so smoothly.

The meeting was followed by an excellent Lunch in the adjacent Hall, prepared by Dot Mason and her helpers, and then it was the Guild eight bell Striking Competition which this year was held at Harmston. For those not taking part in the competition there was ringing at Waddington and Navenby. Tea was served by the Navenby ringers in the church, and we were treated to a ritual some had not observed before – the dragging of a large dustbin up the nave! However, all was revealed when Dorothy Robinson delved into the depths and extracted the winning raffle tickets. It was then time to draw the Guild raffle, and then the results of the Striking Competition were announced by Anita Blundell from Pickering. The Central Branch were the winners.

The day finished with Evensong at the Cathedral, followed by ringing until 1930.

Altogether a most excellent day, and all concerned with the arrangements are to be heartily congratulated. The number of young ringers taking part was very noticeable, and gives a very good indication of the continuing strength of the Guild.

JRK/EGO

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Inter-Branch 8-bell Striking Competition

The result was:

1 - Central Branch

2 - Southern Branch

The Judge, C Anita Blundell, was thanked by the Master, and received a round of applause from all present.

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Guild Bell Repair Fund - Grand Draw

PRIZE WINNERS

The draw took place at Navenby after the Striking Competition result.

The winners were:

First Prize £100 Judy Spinks, Tydd St Mary church
Second Prize £50 Roy Withyman, Pinchbeck tower
Third Prize £25 Julia Holliday, Horncastle

Thank you to everyone who contributed in any way.

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Guild Bell Repair Fund: 100 Club winners 2008

Click here for the list - updated monthly

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Guild Bell Repair Fund - postscript note

I would like to apologise to Wragby, All Saints who paid into the 2007 Affiliation Scheme but were unfortunately omitted from the report.

Dot Mason, BRF Administrator