Contents: Minutes of Winchester District Meetings p. 1 Annual District Meeting at Hursley, 8th February 2003 p.4 Quarterly District Meeting at the Candovers, 10th May 2003 p.7 Quarterley District Meeting at Barton Stacey on 9th August 2003 p.9 Quarterly District Meeting at Bishopstoke on August 8th 2003 Winchester and Portsmouth Diocesan Guild of Church Bell Ringers Winchester District Minutes of the Annual District meeting held on Saturday 8th February 2003 at Hursley Hursley bells were rung from 3pm until the service at 4.30pm. Tea and cakes were provided by the Hursley band prior to the meeting. Chairman’s Welcome At 5.54pm Elizabeth Johnson welcomed the 52 members present, and visitors Coral Northeast, Janice Higgins and Guild Master Barry Fry, to the meeting. She thanked the Rev Roger Edwards for taking the service, Alec Fry for playing the organ, and Rita and Edna from the local congregation who assisted at the service. The local band were thanked for providing the tea. Apologies Apologies were received from John Croft, Graham Grant and Pam Bridger. Minutes of the last meeting The minutes of the last meeting held at Bishopstoke on the 9th November 2002, having been previously circulated, were accepted by the meeting and signed by the Chairman as an accurate record. Matters arising Peter Clarke had prepared a list of books currently held in the District Bookstall. He had also prepared a list of books which would be held in future as specimen books. Following a brief discussion it was agreed that a district officer would hold the stock of books and take them to meetings for members to look at. Names and addresses of the suppliers of the books would also be kept for members to place their own orders. The treasurer had received some cash from sale of books at the Sparsholt course, which would be returned to Peter Clarke, who would use it to buy the sample books, and who also agreed to sell the remaining stock. Gail Cater said that it was disappointing that the District was not prepared to fund and run a proper bookstall, and suggested that the issue be reviewed in a year’s time. This was agreed by the meeting. Election of new members Confirmation of Probationary elections Kings Worthy, 3 Jan 2003, Marcus and Valerie Sangwine, proposed by Dave Goodwin and seconded by Ron White Broughton, 20 Jan 2003, Isobel Broome and Guillemette Nicholson, proposed by Mike Hayward and seconded by Sally Josling North Stoneham, 22 Jan 2003, Aimée and Emma Catt, proposed by Martin Kelly and seconded by Alison Martin Lockerley and East Tytherley, 6 Feb 2003, Sue Holder, proposed by Jen Churchill and seconded by Rosemary Oakeshott New members Crawley, Patsy Morgan, proposed by Edmund Wratten and seconded by Amanda Bayford Lockerley and East Tytherley, Andrea Maddigan, proposed by Rosemary Oakeshott and seconded by Jen Churchill New Alresford, Louise J Rustell, proposed by Elizabeth Johnson and seconded by Alec Fry North Stoneham, Alison and Gerard Catt, Sue Lewis, and Joan and Peter Nicholson, proposed by Alison Martin and seconded by Martin Kelly Owslebury, Gary Brown, Freddie Crabbe, Jonathan Crockford, Kay Fensom, Jill Hancock, Adrian Hardman, Sarah Macdonald and Denise Parry, proposed by Maggie Wolverson and seconded by Philip Gorrod Romsey, Helen and Jonathan Daniels, and Tom Hinks, proposed by Martin Daniels and seconded by Caroline Daniels Sherfield English, Peter Crameri, proposed by Nora Pointer and seconded by Malcolm Harper Presentation of Certificates Membership certificates were presented to those members who had been elected at the November District Meeting. A First Peal Certificate was presented to Brian Spurling of Kings Somborne, and First Quarter Peal certificates were presented to Rosemary Copley, Joanna Burnaby and Pamela Chrismas of Easton. Special mention was made of the fact that these three rang their first quarters together, unplanned, one practice night. District Officers’ Reports 1.Chairman. Elizabeth Johnson read out a short report in which she thanked her fellow officers for all their support, and thanked those ringers who their time and effort helping out at towers across the district. 2.Secretary. Christine Hill’s report had been circulated at the meeting. With one small amendment, John Colliss proposed and Andrew Craddock seconded that the report be accepted. This was agreed unanimously. 3.Treasurer. Tony Smith had circulated the report at the meeting. He invited questions. Bob Cater queried the amount of cash held by the district and asked if it would get a better rate of return if loaned to the Guild BRF. Philip Gorrod proposed that the incoming committee should consider good uses for the money and report back for the next meeting. Andrew Craddock seconded this and the meeting agreed. Tony Smith proposed adoption of the accounts, seconded by Philip Carter and everyone agreed. 4.Ringing Masters. Maggie Wolverson had circulated the report by Carrie Eisenhauer and herself. She added a comment that Owslebury was not the only band to demand a special mention of their progress during the year, other bands had also done well, especially Crawley. Guild Executive Bob Cater said that the Executive Committee was looking at the possibility of the whole Guild registering as a charity, and this would be discussed at the meeting in March. A query from Alec Fry about whether provision of Guild reports to members would breach charity rules was answered in the negative. Election of District Officers The following District officers were elected to serve until the 2004 ADM: 1.Chairman: Elizabeth Johnson stated that she did not wish to stand again. She proposed Philip Gorrod, who was elected unopposed. He took the chair, thanked Elizabeth for all her work and promised to cut down on bureaucracy at meetings to allow for more ringing time. 2.Secretary: Christine Hill stated that she did not wish to stand again. Dave Goodwin was proposed by Elizabeth Johnson, seconded by Philip Gorrod and elected unopposed. 3.Treasurer: Tony Smith, proposed by Philip Gorrod and elected unopposed. 4.Ringing masters: Maggie Wolverson no longer wished to be ringing master. She was thanked for all her work, especially in creating the striking league. Carrie Eisenhauer and Andy Townsend were proposed by Philip Gorrod and elected unopposed. 5.Guild Executive Committee Representative: Wendy Ling was proposed by Philip Gorrod and elected unopposed. 6.PRO/Newsletter Editor: Dave Goodwin relinquished this post, having become secretary. He said that he had received no copy for a newsletter for several months and queried if the district wants a newsletter. Judy Bishop said people liked to read it. It was accepted that some information could go on the very good district website, but there was a need to ensure that people without computer access were not excluded Philip Gorrod said that he would do the PRO job this year and would review the position of newsletter editor during the year. 7.Social Secretary: No nominations and this post remains vacant. Many towers organise their own social events. 8.Independent Examiner: Mark Wolverson, proposed by Tony Smith, seconded by Philip Carter. The officers for 2002 were all thanked by the meeting for all their work. Future events A proposed programme of events for 2003/4 was circulated and agreed. The date of the district practice at Winchester was corrected to August 27 th and the outing was confirmed for August 2 nd , to Guildford. Gail Cater said it was a pity that the ringing centre at Bishopstoke was not used more, apart from the education days, and Andy Townsend agreed to arrange some events there. W& P 125 th anniversary celebrations: Bob Cater asked for ideas for celebrating this event as the Exec is to consider the topic in March. None were forthcoming, and it was commented that 125 years was a fairly arbitrary number to celebrate. Ringing World Roadshow Rex Corke from the C&S district was organising a coach to go to this event on July 26 th in Lincoln. The coach would leave Ringwood at 5am, returning at about 11pm, and the cost would be about £25. The secretary offered to pass on names of interested parties. Fees for funerals Judy Bishop said that Easton were being asked to ring for funerals more frequently and wondered if, and what, other towers charged for this. There was general agreement that the rules and fees for wedding ringing should be applied. Lighting and safety Following recent events at New Alresford, Elizabeth Johnson urged members to check that their towers had adequate emergency lighting and that switches were not accessible outside the tower to prevent accidents. Any Other Business 1.The collection for the BRF raised £15.72 2.The treasurer mentioned that he had Guild badges for sale and was willing to take subscriptions from members. There being no other business the meeting closed at 6.48pm. Winchester and Portsmouth Diocesan Guild of Church Bell Ringers: Winchester District Minutes of the Quarterly District meeting held on Saturday 10 th May, 2003 at The Candovers. In the afternoon the District Striking competitions were held at Brown Candover and Preston Candover. These were followed by tea and meeting in the Swarraton village hall. Chairman’s Welcome Philip Gorrod welcomed the 39 members, one visitor and our three judges to the meeting. Election of new members Confirmation of Probationary Members North Stoneham: 4 March 2003, Georgia Kelly, Proposed by Alison Martin, Seconded by Martin Kelly Twyford: 6 May 2003, Jack Mosley, Proposed by John Denham, Seconded by Jenny Richardson Confirmation of Compounding Elections 15 Feb 2003, Colin J.B. Taylor of Truro, Proposed by Roy LeMarechal, Seconded by Graham Wright, prior to a peal at St Keverne.