We were blessed with a beautiful sunny day for the Guild Festival and AGM at Canford Magna on Saturday 10th May.
Ringing Routes
For many the day started early with general ringing at towers on routes from the west (Bere Regis, Sturminster Marshall, Corfe Mullen) and the north (Stourpaine, Bryanston, Spetisbury), all combining for ringing at Canford Magna for an hour or so before the AGM began at 2pm.
AGM
Guild Master, Vicki Rowse, welcomed members and thanked them for coming, also thanking the East Dorset Branch and the Canford Magna band for hosting and organising the Festival (which is everything before and after the AGM itself).
Ringers of the Year Awards
Business began with the happy task of presenting the Ringer of the year awards which went to Veronica Newman who rings at St James, Trowbridge, and the Young Ringer of the Year to Bobby Ashton of Maiden Newton, West Dorset.
Also nominated were John Avery (Salisbury Branch) Tim Filtness (West Dorset Branch) and for the Young Ringer award, Daniel Best (Devizes Branch).
Financial Matters
Subscription rates were agreed and remain unchanged from last year.
Adult Rate £10.00 (Branch 20%)
Youth Rate (12-18) £5.00 (Branch 20%)
Associate £5.00 (Branch 20%)
Peal Fee per rope £1.00
Non Resident Life Member £10.00
50p of each subscription will be donated to the LEBRF
The level of the Guild’s Education Grant budget was increased to £1500 which supports members seeking support to attend ringing courses and it was also agreed to continue the Guild’s £250 sponsorship of a page in the Ringing World.
Updated Rules
A vote on the updated Rules came next; their adoption being carried 60 to nil with 6 abstentions.
Life Membership Awards
The following were elected Honorary Life Members in token of many years service to the Guild.
Anne Willis (Devizes), Proposed: Chris Purnell Seconded: Trish Hitchins
Robert Quartley (Devizes), Proposed: Veronica Newman Seconded: Giles Wood
Len Roberts (Mere), Proposed: Judith Williamson Seconded: Andy Waring
Margaret Romano (Salisbury) Proposed: Liz Wrighton Seconded: Tilly Cooper
Long service awards were presented to:
60 years: Robert Purnell VP, Christine Purnell VP (Melksham), Ivan Behan (Enford)
50 years: Phil Board (Upwey), Mike Ireland (Fordingbridge) Brian Coward HLM (Trowbridge).
Brian said a few words in memory of his father who had also been a leading member of the Guild for 50 years.
Young Ringers & LEBRF updates
Hillary Child gave an update on the very positive activities of the Young Ringers’ year and, due to Anne Wardell being ill and unable to attend, Andy Waring gave the report on the LEBRF’s year.
Election of officers
The following new Officers were elected:
Treasurer Ken Webb Proposed: David Hacker Seconded: Len Roberts
Safeguarding Officer Frank Marshall Proposed: Judith Williamson Seconded: Ken Webb
Health & Safety Officer Nick Baker Proposed: Julian Newman Seconded: Andy Waring
CCCBR Representative Trish Hitchins Proposed: Ben Duke Seconded: Chris Purnell
Other Officers were re-elected en bloc; Proposed: Sue Bateman Seconded: Louise Gay.
General Secretary Kathryn Tyson
Peal Secretary David Warwick
Report Editor Ben Duke
Communication Officer Andy Waring
Webmaster Ian Mozley
Data Control Officer Nick Baker
Membership Secretary Tim Phillips
Hon.Financial Examiner Alison Clayton
LEBRF Trustee from the Guild Anthony Lovell-Wood
LEBRF Administrator Anne Wardell
LEBRF Independent Examiner Richard Picker
Vacancies remain for Assistant Secretary and one more CCCBR Representative, and the Master asked members to consider who might be willing to fill those posts.
Presentations
Finally, presentations were made to outgoing Officers.
Jayne Cottingham Safeguarding Officer
Julie Miles Education Officer
Tim Phillips Treasurer
David Close Health & Safety Officer
The meeting closed at 3:10pm and was followed by a service in the church and then a most excellent tea expertly organised by our hosts, the East Dorset team to whom everyone present is most grateful for organising such a superb day.
Andy Waring
