The year is drawing to a close and it is lovely to see the Branch Carol Service Invitations popping up. Gathering together to ring bells and sing carols in celebration of Advent is one way in which we can share the love of our Art and the happiness associated with ringing.
As a Guild we have been very busy this year, and there is much to celebrate. The new website is chock full of all sorts of interesting and useful information, we have monthly newsletters, a new page and welcome leaflet (about to be launched) for anyone new to our Guild to see what we are about, and a section for anyone who is thinking about learning to ring.
Other work for the executive has been sorting out various policies and a major review of the Guild Rules. On this we do want your input please. The new draft rules are available via the website (and you should have had an email from your Branch Secretary) along with the most recent version of the current rules so please do have a look and comment on the draft; positive comments welcome as well as suggestions for change. We have been asked for a tracked changes version, but have not issued this simply because there have been so many changes it is impossible to read fluently and it looks a total mess. The deadline for feedback is 31st December and while it’s not an exciting thing to do it is important to us to hear your views.
The introduction of MemberMojo has been another large piece of work this year. Please remember to register if you have not done so as subscriptions for 2025 will be due from 1st January and this is now where your membership record is held. Help is available via your branch administrators.
For those at a loose end between Christmas and New Year there is Guild Peal week from 23-31st December. If you think you couldn’t possibly ring for 2 1/2 to 3 hours – go on try it – it’s not as bad as you think! There are always keen peal ringers who will support a first timer.
As we look forward to 2025, I wish you a very Happy Christmas with joyful ringing.
Vicki
Vicki Rowse
Guild Master
