Here are the Guild Officer and Committee reports for 2020 to download as a PDF. These were approved at the Guild Executive Committee meeting held on 20th March 2021.
The individual reports, plus reports from previous years are all available here: http://www.methods.org.uk/wprept/
Message from the Guild Master
Dear Friends
After further consideration and reviewing the content of the agenda, the Principle officers and I have decided to postpone the EC meeting on Saturday until a future date. The covid-19 risk is probably low but there is still a risk and your safety is paramount.
The only time critical item on the agenda is the approval of the reports for the handbook. These have been distributed to you by email with the EC papers and we would ask that you review them and if you have any comments / questions that you email Adrian by midnight on Monday 16th March. If we don’t hear from you by that time we will assume that you are ‘in favour’ of acceptance of the reports.
The reports are proposed by Pete Jordan and seconded By Adrian Nash.
Any other business on the agenda can be deferred to the next meeting or covered outside the meeting.
I will discuss with those who have information agenda items if they would like Adrian to send information to you by email or defer to the postponed meeting date. At this time I am unable to confirm when this will be however.
I know that this is not an ideal situation but I am sure you will understand in light of the current pandemic.
With Best Regards
Pete Jordan
Master – Winchester & Portsmouth Guild of Church Bell Ringers
Hello Everyone,
I would like to take the opportunity to introduce myself to those of you who don’t know me, as well as to reach out to those of you whom I either know, or our paths have crossed as ‘nodding acquaintances’ from time to time at Guild events.
I have been a member of the Guild for around 28 years, as member of St Michael’s church in Basingstoke where I have in the recent past held various positions including Tower Captain for 5 years, Steeple Keeper and Treasurer.
For me, the pleasure of ringing is not only self satisfaction, but also to help others to develop their skills in the tower. Within my own tower this may include bespoke practices to benefit learners specific requirements, quarter peals to give them the opportunity to both learn a method well and to enjoy the reward of achievement, and generally supporting all of the ringers in their goals and ambitions.
Having served as Guild Vice Master for 3 years I am now delighted to take on the role of Master and look forward to working with you all to strengthen links within the Guild and to enhance your enjoyment in ringing.
One of the main assets of the guild are you, the ringers, and without your skill and dedication, regularly attending Sunday ringing and practices, our ringing would be in a very sorry state.
Thank you
Pete Jordan
W&P Guild Master
The election of new officers for the Guild at the AGM yesterday was very successful overall – the officers led by Viv Nobbs for the past three years were able to hand their responsibilities over to the strong new team led by Mike Winterbourne.
New faces include Mike Winterbourne the new Master, Vice-Master Pete Jordan, and Treasurer Ros Brandwood who will sit on the top table at Exec meetings alongside Tony Smith who remains as Minute Secretary.
The other new officers elected at the AGM are:
Mike Winterbourne – Elected Guild Master July 2016
Pete Jordan – Elected as Guild Vice Master July 2016
Ros Brandwood – Elected as Guild Treasurer July 2016
Allan Yalden – Elected as a CCCBR Rep to serve from May 2017The key job of Secretary which has been done by Mo Routh for the past 3 years, was not filled.
Mo said:
I have offered to caretake the role as a volunteer for (hopefully) a matter of weeks while the new officers settle in and they have a chance to find someone to take it on. I have set a limit on this and if there is still no volunteer by the November Executive meeting, I shall step down and the Guild will have no secretary and the things I deal with will have to be taken on by other officers. I hope it won’t come to that, and that someone else becomes secretary very soon.
The Guild’s Action Plan Review will be presented to the Annual General Meeting on Saturday. It’s hoped that many members will be present but not all will be able to join us.
I thank members for supporting Officers with the Action Plan and thereby enabling us to take a more flexible approach. I have appreciated it very much and wish to keep my part of the bargain by presenting this review; I strongly believe in transparency and accountability to members. I do hope this will encourage even more engagement leading to positive outcomes.
The Review is linked here and included in full below for your information; I hope you find it helpful.
Looking forward to the next twelve months, it would be my wish and suggestion to see the following items included in our actions:
Master
The Master has continued to be pro-active in working with the two Dioceses building up some even stronger and very meaningful links. With the Central Council Visit in May, it gave us an amazing opportunity to showcase ringing in the Portsmouth Diocese, in particular. The Diocesan P.R. resource was very much used for our benefit; it took responsibility for the drafting and issue of a Press Release, focusing very much on local ringing and ringers. In this context, Bishop Christopher, at the Central Council reception, made the informal comment to The Master “It’s good we’re on the map!”
It is hoped and anticipated that these two events will encourage even more young ringers and their supporters, from across our wide area, to enjoy more ringing and social events.
Committees are seeing young ringers coming forward to serve, for example Belfry Stewardship and Striking Competitions.
A focus group has been formed, to be chaired by the Guild Report Editor to consider the content, format and production costs of the Annual Report.
Since it was announced that The Ringing World National Youth Contest was to be held on the first Saturday in July, for the foreseeable future, the decision was made to bring forward our Annual General Meeting by two weeks; this was to send out a strong signal of commitment to our younger members and should avoid the National 12-bell contest. The general meeting will fall close to the anniversary date of the formation of our Guild.
A data base of members is considered to be a priority still as is an overall review of how information is circulated to members, including more newsletters, in addition to the website.
No District came forward to apply for the £500 (maximum) “District initiative” element ‘though one District has made its intention known that it will very likely apply in the year 2016-17.
The Education Committee has not applied this year for the financial benefit of £200. It will review in the Autumn as hall hire is increasing generally and the benefit of lower student numbers on some courses is apparent.
Especially, in the light of the above, The Master has used discretion with The Teacher Training element of the £500 approximate budget. 3 out of 8 Districts have applied for this support this year.
£180 has been allocated in the following way: 9 students have claimed and will be paid £20 each.
In addition, a focus group has been established recently; the initial purpose has been to investigate and introduce if necessary, the possibility of teaching schools within our Guild. The group is financially and administratively separate from other Guild committees. It will act harmoniously with them, of course. The group will report to the Executive Committee later in 2016 and might require some funding.
Bishop Christopher attended the formal dinner and wrote to thank The Master and included
“I know that making all the arrangements for the weekend gathering would have involved substantial work. You and your colleagues deserve all the thanks you will have received from giving everyone such a good experience of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight along with many church towers. I add my thanks for all that you have done to enhance the profile and reputation of the Diocese of Portsmouth.
It has been a pleasure for us in the diocese to work alongside you and your team to our mutual benefit.”
The venue has been booked for the two days in Basingstoke. It is anticipated that a small group of volunteers will carry out the necessary local organisation of this event, much less in size than the Central Council’s conference visit.
Two volunteers have taken on this project with much enthusiasm and commitment. An opportunity to include ringing in our towers from 1914, to honour and remember personnel killed during the conflict, has been recognised and grasped. Third parties have recognised with us the potential benefit of this project to portray a positive image of our ringing community. It might well assist with our recruitment efforts.
This project will report to the Executive Committee later in 2016 and is likely to require funding, some from the Guild and it’s anticipated that an application will be made to the Heritage Lottery Fund.
Together with the new focus group looking at the possibility of Ringing Schools and its liaison with local leaders, the use of good publicity and promotional material should dovetail well with a view to a recruitment drive.
The Master has continued to be pro-active in working with the two Dioceses building up some even stronger and very meaningful links. With the Central Council Visit in May, it gave us an amazing opportunity to showcase ringing in the Portsmouth Diocese, in particular. The Diocesan P.R. resource was very much used for our benefit; it took responsibility for the drafting and issue of a Press Release, focusing very much on local ringing and ringers. In this context, Bishop Christopher, at the Central Council reception, made the informal comment to The Master “It’s good we’re on the map!”
It is hoped and anticipated that these two events will encourage even more young ringers and their supporters, from across our wide area, to enjoy more ringing and social events.
Committees are seeing young ringers coming forward to serve, for example Belfry Stewardship and Striking Competitions.
A focus group has been formed, to be chaired by the Guild Report Editor to consider the content, format and production costs of the Annual Report.
Since it was announced that The Ringing World National Youth Contest was to be held on the first Saturday in July, for the foreseeable future, the decision was made to bring forward our Annual General Meeting by two weeks; this was to send out a strong signal of commitment to our younger members and should avoid the National 12-bell contest. The general meeting will fall close to the anniversary date of the formation of our Guild.
A data base of members is considered to be a priority still as is an overall review of how information is circulated to members, including more newsletters, in addition to the website.
No District came forward to apply for the £500 (maximum) “District initiative” element ‘though one District has made its intention known that it will very likely apply in the year 2016-17.
The Education Committee has not applied this year for the financial benefit of £200. It will review in the Autumn as hall hire is increasing generally and the benefit of lower student numbers on some courses is apparent.
Especially, in the light of the above, The Master has used discretion with The Teacher Training element of the £500 approximate budget. 3 out of 8 Districts have applied for this support this year.
£180 has been allocated in the following way: 9 students have claimed and will be paid £20 each.
In addition, a focus group has been established recently; the initial purpose has been to investigate and introduce if necessary, the possibility of teaching schools within our Guild. The group is financially and administratively separate from other Guild committees. It will act harmoniously with them, of course. The group will report to the Executive Committee later in 2016 and might require some funding.
Bishop Christopher attended the formal dinner and wrote to thank The Master and included
“I know that making all the arrangements for the weekend gathering would have involved substantial work. You and your colleagues deserve all the thanks you will have received from giving everyone such a good experience of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight along with many church towers. I add my thanks for all that you have done to enhance the profile and reputation of the Diocese of Portsmouth.
It has been a pleasure for us in the diocese to work alongside you and your team to our mutual benefit.”
The venue has been booked for the two days in Basingstoke. It is anticipated that a small group of volunteers will carry out the necessary local organisation of this event, much less in size than the Central Council’s conference visit.
Two volunteers have taken on this project with much enthusiasm and commitment. An opportunity to include ringing in our towers from 1914, to honour and remember personnel killed during the conflict, has been recognised and grasped. Third parties have recognised with us the potential benefit of this project to portray a positive image of our ringing community. It might well assist with our recruitment efforts.
This project will report to the Executive Committee later in 2016 and is likely to require funding, some from the Guild and it’s anticipated that an application will be made to the Heritage Lottery Fund.
Together with the new focus group looking at the possibility of Ringing Schools and its liaison with local leaders, the use of good publicity and promotional material should dovetail well with a view to a recruitment drive.
I am now seeking to spread my wings a little in support of the Guild and would like to offer my services as Vice Master at the upcoming elections. Personally, I look forward to learning a little more about the Guild, meeting and supporting its membership and working with the executive committee and sub committees to carry on the excellent work of the outgoing team.
Pete Jordan
Mike Winterbourne
Proposed by: Andy Ingram
Seconded: Tim Pink
Having previously been involved in the Education Committee, I would like to see each Guild member have the opportunity to progress their skills. While many districts do support this aim, I believe the meeting of individuals all striving together has a way of developing long term friendships across district boundaries and sharing knowledge.
One area where we rely on the goodwill of individuals, in the form of District Officers, Tower Captains, Tower Correspondents or Tower contacts, is in passing information. I would like to see a Guild database of contact emails so each member can receive their District and Guild information directly, with options to avoid unwanted emails.
I would like to see the development of the Guild Action Plan with regular input from the Guild members as it develops and grows.
For more information about the Guild Officer Posts which are coming up for election on the 2nd of July at the AGM, please read Viv’s article. To nominate candidates please contact Mo Routh any time up to and including AGM day.
Please give serious thought to who might fill these roles and consult as widely as possible to find the best people for the jobs. We want everyone to be aware of these elections.
As was advised at the March Executive Committee Meeting, please bear in mind that the four Principal Officers currently in post are unable to stand for election but will offer as much support as possible to the new Officers to facilitate an effective succession process.
For more information, please read on or for an informal chat, please contact the Master:
The following suggestions may be helpful to members thinking of offering themselves for election. The descriptions are in no way exhaustive but are intended to give a feel for some of the offices.
1 Put simply, Officers aim to further the Objects and Aims of the Guild – essentially that is to encourage more and better ringing, good bell maintenance and safe practice by uniting ringers for mutual support.
2 The Guild organises meetings, practices and events. You may well be involved in the planning of these.
3 Good communications are always important. Simply talking to as many people as possible at Guild or District events helps enormously.
4 District members may come to you for help and advice on matters concerning their bells and ringing in their tower. Other Officers and Committees are available for advice and support.
The figure head of the Guild, represents the Guild to outside bodies and chairs Guild meetings, The Annual General Meeting and any extraordinary meeting that may be called and meetings of the Guild Executive Committee; attends meetings of the Bell Restoration Trustees and the District Officers’ Forum. It is desirable to attend some meetings of the various Committees of the Guild. This should all be done in an efficient and friendly manner. In co-operation with your deputy attend the District Annual Meetings, co-ordinate the work of the other Officers and make sure nothing is left undone.
In conjunction with other officers make policy and the day-to-day for the Guild.
You are one of the Trustees of the Bell Restoration Fund, a Registered Charity.
To support the Master in the above duties and deputise as required.
To receive and account for all monies paid to the Guild and make payments as may be required and authorised. To keep accurate records, and draw up annual accounts.
You are one of the Trustees of the Bell Restoration Fund and would be expected to be the Treasurer of the fund, keeping necessary records and preparing and submitting accounts as required of a Registered Charity. You will chair the meetings of the Trustees.
As Secretary you are the focal point for communication. You receive letters, emails, reports and telephone calls and disseminate information to the appropriate people as quickly and effectively as possible. You book halls for the Executive Meetings and District Officers Forum and work with the district that hosts the A.G.M. each year, deal with the sales of membership certificates and Guild badges and organise reprints and
re-orders when necessary. You prepare agendas for meetings, calling in reports, budget bids, and papers for discussion from the other officers and committee conveners. In conjunction with other officers make policy and the day-to-day decisions for the Guild.
You are one of the Trustees of the Bell Restoration Fund and will act as its secretary.
The following suggestions may be helpful to members thinking of offering themselves for election. The descriptions are in no way exhaustive but are intended to give a feel for some of the offices.
1 Put simply, Officers aim to further the Objects and Aims of the Guild – essentially that is to encourage more and better ringing, good bell maintenance and safe practice by uniting ringers for mutual support.
2 The Guild organises meetings, practices and events. You may well be involved in the planning of these.
3 Good communications are always important. Simply talking to as many people as possible at Guild or District events helps enormously.
4 District members may come to you for help and advice on matters concerning their bells and ringing in their tower. Other Officers and Committees are available for advice and support.
The figure head of the Guild, represents the Guild to outside bodies and chairs Guild meetings, The Annual General Meeting and any extraordinary meeting that may be called and meetings of the Guild Executive Committee; attends meetings of the Bell Restoration Trustees and the District Officers’ Forum. It is desirable to attend some meetings of the various Committees of the Guild. This should all be done in an efficient and friendly manner. In co-operation with your deputy attend the District Annual Meetings, co-ordinate the work of the other Officers and make sure nothing is left undone.
In conjunction with other officers make policy and the day-to-day for the Guild.
You are one of the Trustees of the Bell Restoration Fund, a Registered Charity.
To support the Master in the above duties and deputise as required.
To receive and account for all monies paid to the Guild and make payments as may be required and authorised. To keep accurate records, and draw up annual accounts.
You are one of the Trustees of the Bell Restoration Fund and would be expected to be the Treasurer of the fund, keeping necessary records and preparing and submitting accounts as required of a Registered Charity. You will chair the meetings of the Trustees.
As Secretary you are the focal point for communication. You receive letters, emails, reports and telephone calls and disseminate information to the appropriate people as quickly and effectively as possible. You book halls for the Executive Meetings and District Officers Forum and work with the district that hosts the A.G.M. each year, deal with the sales of membership certificates and Guild badges and organise reprints and
re-orders when necessary. You prepare agendas for meetings, calling in reports, budget bids, and papers for discussion from the other officers and committee conveners. In conjunction with other officers make policy and the day-to-day decisions for the Guild.
You are one of the Trustees of the Bell Restoration Fund and will act as its secretary.
This incredible Committee has steered the Guild into a new era. The Plans are in place, the signposts show the way and the commitment to improve, educate and modernise this vibrant and active community is stronger now than ever before. SO, Please think seriously about helping us to keep the Guild and ringing moving forward. If you have been a secretary or treasurer for a school committee, if you can take minutes or type them up from a Dictaphone recording, if you like collecting data or think ringing needs to have a different voice in the Central Council, now is the time to say ‘do you know what? I could give it a try’. The posts becoming vacant are:
On a cold and sunny morning on 12th of March The Executive Committee Meeting was held in St Barnabas Church Hall in Southampton. 24 members were present with 8 apologies.
We all stood whilst the names of those who have passed away since November were read out.
With no matters arising from the last minutes the reports and accounts were accepted.
Interesting and noteworthy was that;
The Master reviewed The Guild Action Plan and suggested the setting up of 3 working groups:
Excitingly, A working group to consider the possibility of a centralised Ringing Training School for teaching new ringers.
The Committee were happy to support a funding request of £400 towards travel expenses of a joint team of young ringers from the Isle of Wight and Channel Islands Districts to represent the Guild in the competition at Epsom on Sat 2nd April 2016. The rest of the money would be found by the youngsters and their families by fund-raising. We wish them well.
After much discussion a rethink was agreed on the ‘welcome pack’ for new ringers. Whilst people though it (The ART Discover Ringing booklet and a contacts list) was a good idea, just who to give it to e.g. not many probationary members become ringers and how to get it to them was of concern.
The Communications Exec member gave a presentation on Social Media extolling its virtues and its pitfalls.
Future Dates worth noting are;
In the ‘Any Other Business’ section issues discussed were;-
We were all done by 12:00 Then a long and very fast quarter peal of Grandsire Doubles ensued.
Tel: 01962 774357
Telephone: 023 8084 0225
Address: Kirklee, Southampton Road, Hythe, S045 5AD
Email: Use Form
Telephone: 07969 367983
Email: Use Form
