Presentations and Awards
Following the presentation for the 8-bell Striking Competition held earlier in the day, proceedings began with awards for Adult and Young Ringers of the Year.
Josh Knight was declared the Young Ringer of the Year and Daniel Best was awarded a “Highly Commended” certificate..
Sarah Dow from the Devizes branch was named Adult Ringer of the Year with Andrew Oates from the Mere branch awarded a “Highly Commended” certificate.
Ian Mozley was re-elected as Vice President and Julian Ferrar elected Honarary Life Member.
Life members
- Mike Bolwell, William Clarke, Marian Moyes Devizes Branch
- Mike Miners Dorchester Branch
- Jenny Elmes, David Haysom East Dorset Branch
- Jo Barnes Salisbury Branch
- Ken Lessey West Dorset Branch
Long Service Certificates
- 50 years: Margaret Romano HLM, Anthony Lovell-Wood VP
- 60 years: Robin Mears HLM
- 70 years: Dennis Powney HLM, Audrey Wannell HLM, Phil Gaisford HLM,
Ross Robertson VP - 80 years: Valerie Goddard HLM
Business Meeting
Full draft minutes are available from the Secretary but here is a very brief summary of proceedings.
The minutes of the previous year’s meeting were formally accepted as a true record and accounts were formally adopted by the members.
Ken Webb presented the Treasurer’s Report and the accounts were presented and adopted. The annual subscription rates for 2027 were approved, keeping them consistent with the current year.
Despite Central Council fees having increased significantly, from ~£300 in 2023 to £588 in 2025, and are projected to be £1,400 in 2026, this increase is offset by reduced insurance costs and healthy bank reserves. The recommendation of the Treasurer, endorsed by the executive was made to avoid increasing member fees in order to encourage membership and ensure the Guild remains solvent. The proposal to maintain the 2027 subscription rates at current levels was approved.
The Guild’s training fund budget was increased to £3,000 for the upcoming year.
The previous training fund of £1,500, approved in May 2025, is now fully committed and this new funding will begin immediately.
Part of this budget includes a subsidy for for individuals to attend residential courses, limited to up to 10 people who could receive up to £100 each with the restriction that an individual can only receive this subsidy once in any five-year period.
The budget will also support ART (Association of Ringing Teachers) courses, which train future teachers and are seen as grassroots investment in the future and development of ringing.
The recommendation of the Peal Secretary regarding the recording of peals on simulators was passed as was his recommendation that the peal fee will be reduced to £0 from January 2027. Also, within the sphere of peal ringing, the listed non-resident life members from 2025 were formally ratified by the meeting and the resolution that the non-resident life membership fee will remain at £10. “The Guild should continue to record peals rung on four or more tower bells or handbells. Peals rung on fewer bells and those rung using simulated sound or other technological assistance should be noted and recorded separately.”
The accounts of the LEBRF were presented and unanimously adopted. Due to the substantial increase in funds held by the LEBRF as a result of the large legacies left by the Lucas family and the late Anne Abrahams, a lot of the financial institutions that might give us the best interest rates wouldn’t allow us to deposit our money with them if our trustees were not resident in the United Kingdom. Members were reminded that the Channel Islands do not constitute part of the United Kingdom so, following consultation with the Channel Islands Branch committee it had been proposed that the Rules of the LEBRF should require only branches on the mainland to provide a Trustee for the management and oversight of the fund. The proposal to add the words “in England” to LEBRF Rule 2.1 was carried unanimously.
Election of Officers
The following individuals, who had expressed a willingness to stand again, were re-elected:
- Treasurer: Ken Webb
- Peal Secretary: David Warwick
- Communications Officer: Andy Waring
- Webmaster: Ian Mozley
The following officers were re-appointed:
- Guild LEBRF Trustee: Anthony Lovell-Wood
- LEBRF Administrator: Anne Wardell
- Safeguarding Officer: Frank Marshall
- Health and Safety Officer: Nick Baker
- Data Control Officer: Nick Baker
- Membership Secretary: Tim Phillips
Independent Examiners were appointed as follows:
- Guild Independent Examiner:Alison Clayton.
- LEBRF Independent Examiner: Richard Picker.
Current Central Council Representatives were willing to stand again and were appointed en bloc:
- Bob Crichton
- Anthony Lovell-Wood
- Julian Newman
Guild President Vicki Rowse presented gifts to two departing post holders in gratitude for their work and dedication to their roles. Katherine Tyson is leaving her role as Guild General Secretary and Ben Duke who has stood down as Report Editor.
Andy Waring
