The Executive Committee met at The Hinton Hall, Tisbury on Saturday 28th February.
In the absence of the Master, the President took the chair for the meeting. We commenced with the list of names of all members who had died since the last committee meeting being read out followed by a short period of silence for reflection, which was followed by those present saying the Guild Collect together.
After accepting apologies for absence, the minutes of the previous meeting were checked for accuracy and accepted as a correct record. Under matters arising from those minutes, we discussed fees to advertisers in the Handbook and Annual Report and whether we would attract advertisers if we had fewer paper copies, it was decided to leave the fees as they are. We discussed the value of the annual sponsorship of a page in the Ringing World and decided to propose to the AGM this should be dropped.
The Recruitment and Retention workgroup reported they were still working on their Training Policy document developed in collaboration with Branch Training Officers however good progress was being made. It was agreed when this piece of work was complete it would be circulated for Executive approval and then displayed on the website. Items on recruitment and skills development are now appearing regularly in the newsletter and on the website.
We were reminded of the Guild programme of events for the year. Arrangements are well in hand for the Guild Festival and AGM at Calne on Saturday 9th May, together with the 8 bell striking competition to be held in the morning of the Festival Day at Bishops Cannings. Dates were also given for Firsts Week, the Novice and 6 bell Striking Competitions, LEBRF Open Day, quarter peal week, all the dates can be found on the Guild Events Calendar. Discussion is taking place as to whether Peal Week should be moved to a different week in the year.
Nominations for Vice Presidents, Honorary Life Members and Life Members were considered; these included some who were being nominated for their outstanding service to their Branch and the Guild and some who would receive Life Member status automatically following 50 years of membership. All were agreed at the meeting, in line with the requirements as set out in the rules, they will be presented to the AGM for ratification.
The Treasurer presented the accounts for 2025 and a financial projection for 2026. After discussion the accounts were accepted unanimously and will be presented to the AGM for adoption. On the reccomendation of the Treasurer, the Committee agreed to propose to the AGM there should be no change in annual subscription for 2027, also to set Peal Fees to zero, with the invitation for Peal Ringers to make donations to the LEBRF in lieu of Peal Fees. The Treasurer also put forward a proposal for the amount allocated from the Guild for Training Grants should be increased, this will be put to the AGM for agreement.
The Way Forward Group presented a proposal to the meeting in the form of a complete set of forms, guidance and procedure notes to be used alongside the revised rules agreed at the AGM in May 2025. This work was approved by the Committee and will now be displayed in appropriate places on the website and followed with communication to all members where they can be accessed and encouraging members to use them. All members of the Executive expressed their gratitude for the enormous amount of work the members of the WFG had put in.
Progress was being made with the Diocese on the clarification of safeguarding training requirements for bell ringers. The Safeguarding Officer reported that currently all bell ringers in the diocese will be asked to voluntarily complete Basic Safeguarding Training on the Training Hub of the Salisbury Diocese Safeguarding web page. It is now required by the diocese that all bellringers do the Basic Awareness Training. The Salisbury Diocese team have been working with the Guild and have agreed that it will be adequate that all existing Guild members read the Safeguarding leaflet. This leaflet is to be distributed to all members electronically and there will be a few printed copies for those without internet access. New ringers including new members of the Guild will be required to do the Basic Awareness course, which is available online, from January 2027.
We were advised the Terms of Reference and the Application forms for the Eric Hitchins Award had been revised. This award is to sponsor a young ringer (under the age of 25) to attend a residential training course. We were all asked to publicise the availability of this award to our younger members.
There had been an initiative recently in Derbyshire where ringers were working with Scout Groups to aid recruitment of new ringers and to provide the opportunities for scouts to earn their bell ringing badge. We were encouraged to investigate whether this example could be followed within areas of our Guild, not only with scouts but also with other organisations for young people. Details of the scheme can be found on the website.
Officer Job Descriptions are now available on the website. We will have several Officer vacancies to fill at this year’s AGM, namely the Secretary, Assistant Secretary, Training Officer, Handbook and Report Editor and at least one CCCBR Representative. It was emphasised by the President how important it is to fill these vacancies for the Guild to function efficiently. We agreed the appointments of the Safeguarding Officer, Health and Safety Officer, Data Control Officer and Membership Secretary to be ratified at the AGM.
Under Standing Items:
There was nothing reported regarding Training, however the Treasurer suggested setting up a separate fund from that for Training Grants, for grants, with limits, to those attending residential training courses. This will be put before the AGM to decide.
Regarding Health and Safety, we went back to a discussion regarding the requirement for Risk Assessments to be carried out prior to certain events and courses. The Treasurer agreed to investigate this further by corresponding with the insurers to see what the requirements were.
There was no report regarding the Young Ringers.
Under Communications we were all reminded of the importance of updating any Officer changes at Branch and Tower level as soon as possible to the Communications Officer to keep the website and Handbook up to date.
The Central Council have a Zoom meeting on the evening of 15th March, an inaugural meeting of the Recruitment Network to discuss with the 3Rs (Recruit, Regain, Retain) CCCBR Team, setting up a network of people to share good ideas and success stories through regular online meetings, taking place every 2 months. These will feature a short talk from a guest speaker, followed by Q&A and general discussion around the topic of the talk. This is open to anyone, details of registering an interest can be found here
Also, the CCCBR is looking to recruit a Youth Development Officer to help build the next generation of ringers and support the international Ringing 2030 strategy, details can be found here.
The LEBRF Accounts for 2025 were presented and agreed to be put before the AGM for adoption. The Treasurer explained the more complex way in which the LEBRF had to report to the Charities Commission due to the large increase in funds as well as sharing investment plans which had been secured to make investing easier from a form filling perspective. We also discussed the ending of The Listed Places of Worship Scheme which allowed the VAT on most projects to be reclaimed and what impact this might have on the success of bell related projects in the future. The LEBRF Trustees are very aware of the problems this change of policy might have and will be looking to see if they can provide assistance to alleviate some of the shortfalls which might be encountered.
David Hacker.
