and Portsmouth Diocesan Guild of Church Bell Ringers Winchester District

Minutes of the Quarterly District Meeting held on Saturday 14 th August 2010 at Awbridge

1. Chairman’s Welcome

The Chairman, John Palk, opened the meeting by welcoming everybody to the meeting and thanking Peter and Christine Hill for arranging the outing. There were 18 members present.

2. Apologies for Absence Apologies were received from Roy LeMarechal, Andrew and Theo Johnson, Ian Redway, Joy Scanlon, Anne Strong, Peter and Christine Hill.

3. Minutes of the Previous Meeting

The minutes of the meeting held on May 8 th 2010 were presented. Andrew Craddock noted that method names should have capital letters (Beyond Bob Doubles).

The minutes were agreed.

Matters arising from the minutes:

It was noted that Cheriton tower no longer holds practices.

Edmund Wratten reported that the “Beyond Bob Doubles” course had been well supported and that he would be arranging more (see below under “Future “Events”).

4. Election of New Members New Ringing Members

Lockerley; Gary Davies, proposed David Strong, seconded Jen Churchill.

Confirmation of the election of Compounding Members

June 6 th 2010, Christopher CP Woodcock of Potterhanworth, Lincs, elected prior to a peal at Church Lawford, proposed Roy LeMarechal, seconded Graham Wright. August 5 th 2010, Gregory F Russell of New York and Emily R Russell of Boston, elected prior to a peal at Orleans, Mass. USA, proposed Roy LeMarechal, seconded John Colliss.

Confirmation of Probationary Members

King’s Somborne; May 17 th 2010, John Chaplin, proposed Sue Spurling, seconded Jen Churchill.

The members were elected en bloc with two abstentions (doubts raised over the North American ringers and their need to be members of the Guild. It was observed that the elections were normal practice, 100% membership being required for the peal to be credited to the Guild).

5. Presentation of Certificates

Certificates were taken for Ray Aldington (Winchester Cathedral) and Lynda Fletcher (King’s Worthy).

6. Co-option of Officers

It was agreed that Mike Till would stand in as Secretary and Rosemary Oakeshott would continue as Treasurer.

7. District Striking Competition

A discussion on the need for striking contests within the District was initiated. It was noted that the six bell competition had been poorly supported, possibly owing to the reputation of the bells at Broughton. After general debate, covering the assertions that the same teams take part every year, the need for striking contests has passed and what could be used as an alternative, it was agreed that contests should continue, with two changes of rule:

That two ringers from each band would be allowed to ring twice (proposed Andrew Craddock, seconded David Strong).

That one ringer from outside the tower to be allowed to ring in each band (proposed Edmund Wratten, seconded Caroline Fairley).

It was also suggested that a proforma could be sent out to towers, reminding them of the date, time and venue and with a closing date for entries. Another suggestion was that the Ringing Master(s) should telephone Tower Captains to encourage them to participate.

8. Best Kept Tower Competition

Three towers have entered so far: Easton, Lockerley and .

9. Future Events

Edmund Wratten announced that he was arranging monthly “Beyond Bob Doubles” courses on the last Wednesday of the month (coinciding with the 12-14 bell practice held at Winchester Cathedral). He intended to move these events around the District, avoiding clashes with those towers whose practice falls on a Wednesday.

The first three events will be at Old Alresford in September, in October and Cheriton in November.

“Ringing for ”: A number of towers had participated in this endeavour this year, but it was noted that April 23 rd 2011 falls in Holy Week, when most towers do not ring. One suggestion was to move the ringing to May 1 st and advertise the reason for the ringing locally. Further suggestions were requested and should be passed to Andrew Glover.

10. AOB

Guild Executive Committee Representative: Lucy Walpole was proposed by Elizabeth Johnson, seconded by David Strong, elected nem con . Lucy Walpole asked whether the District had a list of Instructors, in accordance with the Guild Rules. The response was that there was no such list. Mike Till undertook to compile one.

Action 1/10: Mike Till to compile a list of Instructors for the Winchester District.

Lucy Walpole asked whether there was ever a meeting of Tower Captains from the District to discuss their needs and how the District / Guild could help them. John Palk observed that he had been contemplating having one.

Elizabeth Johnson reported that the Guild of Medical Ringers had marked the centenary of the death of Florence Nightingale on Friday August 13 th with a quarter peal at Sherfield English and by chiming the bells for the service at East Wellow.

John Palk offered congratulations to Lucy Walpole and Mike Till, who had recently become engaged.

Edmund Wratten reported that the Barton Stacey band is making preparations to resurrect their practices.

The BRF collection raised £17.

Date of Next Quarterly Meeting : November 13 th at .

The meeting closed at 2 p.m.

ACTIONS

Action 1/10: Mike Till to compile a list of Instructors for the Winchester District.