Minutes of the Annual General Meeting of the Banbury Branch of the Oxford Diocesan Guild of Church Bell Ringers held on Saturday, 21st April 2012 at Steeple Aston Village Hall
1Open meeting and welcome
The Meeting was opened by Sue Burchell, Chairman, who welcomed members and visitors. There were 26 branch members (including Colin Lee on behalf of the Guild) and one visitor from Salisbury in attendance.
A vote of thanks was given by Verna Wass to the Revd Mark Clavier, for conducting the service, to Chris Holmes for playing the organ and to everyone at Steeple Aston Tower for providing the “bellringers’” tea.
2Apologies for absence were received from:
Robert Newton (Master), Stuart Gibson (Guild Treasurer), Hilarie Rogers (Guild General Secretary), Helen Wilde, Jane Oliver, Brenda & Stephen Day (Cropredy), Lindsey Smith and all Tadmarton tower, all members of Wardington tower, Dave and Rachel Tuckey (Rousham), Keith Abbott (Hanwell), Alison Varney (Bloxham), Martin Saunders & Chris Cox (Bodicote), Simon Angel (Mollington), Trevor Trivett & Zoe Lee (Adderbury), Steven Jenkins (Banbury), Roger Stranks (Duns Tew)
3Minutes of last meeting
The Minutes of the last meeting which had been previously circulated were adopted as a true record. Proposed by Barry Davis, seconded by Alan Griffin. Carried.
4Matters arising
(a)Half Yearly meeting October 2011
Graham Clifton had reported at the Half Yearly Meeting that about half the money had been raised for the new Jubilee tenor bell. As most people knew, the Jubilee bell was installed in March and sounded more sonorous than the “thud” of the old bell. It was a project well worth doing. He thanked the Branch for its support in the project.
(b)Tower Reps meeting January 2012–No matters to report.
5Election/re-enrolment of members
The following new members were elected to the Guild: Tracy Hawkins (Somerton), Katerina Vernicos (Steeple Aston), Christopher Francis Drake (Deddington), Annabelle North and Thomas Bradshaw (Cropredy), Elizabeth A and Lionel D Smith (Bodicote), Indya Barefield (Banbury).
Jackie Whittaker (Wardington) was re-enroled.
Proposed by Barry Davis; seconded by Graham Clifton. Carried.
6Presentation of certificates
Certificates for new members elected at the Half Yearly Meeting were presented. Since Gill Osborne, Tim Bestwick and Jonathan White (Adderbury) and Stephen Sinclaire (Bodicote) were unable to collect their certificates personally, these were accepted on their behalf by representatives from their respective towers.
Alastair Marshall (Bloxham) was in attendance and his certificate was presented to him by the Chairman, Sue Burchell.
7Reports
(a)Secretary's Report (Heather Hughes) - This report had been previously circulated and is attached to these minutes. The only additional item was to thank everyone for their assistance through the year in trying to make the Secretary's role a little easier. She also made mention that members often asked dates and times for things even though they had been notified. Please would members read the information sent by email and in their towers. A full programme would be sent out shortly to towers and to those for whom she had an email address. The Vice-Chairman thanked the Secretary for all her hard work during the year.
(b)Treasurer's Report (Philip Sharman) - The report and accounts had been previously circulated and are attached to these Minutes.
The Treasurer thanked the membership for ensuring that all subscriptions had been submitted to him promptly this year. It had made his job more straightforward.
It was proposed by Barry Davis; seconded by Martin Warner that the accounts be accepted. Carried.
It was also suggested that a donation to the Bell Restoration Fund be made of £100 as was the case last year. Proposed by Graham Clifton, seconded by Verna Wass. Carried.
(c)Branch Representatives' Reports (Alan Griffin and Verna Wass) – Two reports had been previously circulated in respect of the General Committee Meetings held in November 2011 and March 2012.
The only additional thing which Verna wished to mention was that the role of Public Relations Officer in the Guild remained vacantand being done by various people. The Guild General Secretary had indicated she would be standing down although this was not definite. Members needed to consider putting themselves forward for roles in the Guild structure. The Guild AGM is on Saturday, 19th May.
Congratulations were given to the Branch team who entered the 10-bell Striking Competition and for coming eighth.
(d)Ringing Master's Report (Heather Bletchly) – Report was previously circulated and is attached to the Minutes. There was nothing further to add.
(e)Social Committee Report (Lindsey Smith) - Since the half yearly meeting in October the committee has arranged two social events for the early part of the year. Unfortunately the jacket potato supper and quiz had to be cancelled due to bad weather but the branch dinner held at the New Inn at Wroxton in March was very successful.
(f)Webmaster- Nothing to report. The deadline for the Newsletter is Saturday, 5th May.
8Election of Officers
All Officers except Chris Wardley (Independent Examiner) were prepared to stand for a further term if required.
RoleNominationProposedSeconded
ChairmanSue BurchellBarry DavisRobert Reeves
Vice-ChairmanBarry DavisAlan GriffinGraham Clifton
Ringing MasterBarry Davis – this role does not required election.
The Badge of Office was presented to Barry Davis by the Chairman.
Dep Ringing MasterHeather BletchlyBarry DavisMartin Warner
NB – Heather Bletchly was prepared to stand as Deputy Ringing Master but would not continue as Ringing Master in April 2013.
SecretaryHeather HughesBarry DavisAndries Bosland
Treasurer Philip SharmanGraham CliftonColin Lee
Branch RepsAlan Griffin)
Verna Wass)Heather HughesBarry Davis
Newsletter EditorsBarry & Jean DavisVerna WassVeronica Warner
Independent ExaminerVacant – No one was prepared to stand. Enquiries would be made and a decision to nominate someone would be made at the Half Yearly Meeting.
Social Committee Lindsey Smith, Chris Cox)
Vicky Clifton, Brenda Day )Barry DavisAlan Griffin
WebmasterBarry DavisHeather HughesAlan Griffin
9Meetings
(a) Tower Representatives' Meeting – Thursday, 20th September. Suggestion that the venue is changed since Elephant & Castle is often noisy. Barry Davis would enquire re St Mary’s Centre, Banbury and Verna Was would enquire about The Bell in Adderbury.
(b)Half Yearly Meeting – Saturday, 20th October at Mollington. Bob Reeves indicated that everything was in hand.
(c)2013 AGM Saturday, 20th April – Cropredy was prepared to host the AGM.
10Practices/Events
(a)Striking Competition – Bodicote on Saturday, 16th June. The Secretary mentioned that she was away from 6th to 20th June inclusive. Therefore any notices, etc, would need to be passed to her before that date.
There was discussion about Plain Hunt being regarded as a method/principle for the purposes of the Striking Competition. Strictly speaking it is a principle. Barry Davis indicated he would give consideration to the structure of the Striking Competition,but that there would be two groups. Tower email addresses were requested from the Secretary by Barry Davis so that towers could be notified promptly as to how the two groups would be structured. Barry also said he would organise another cup.
(b)Branch Outing – This is being organised by Verna Wass for Saturday, 14th July. She had brought some information sheets and a sheet for people to sign to show interest. It was not to give a firm commitment at this point.
Verna Wass requested that perhaps the Branch could donate tower fees for the outing as had happened in 2010. She thought the total would be about £75 for five towers. It was therefore proposed that the Branch paid half the tower fees and the other half by those on the outing. Proposed by Graham Clifton; seconded by Barry Davis; Carried.
(c)Practices – branch, surprise, doubles/minor and young ringers –The branch programme had been sorted out by Barry Davis and Heather Bletchly. Young ringers’ practices had been arranged for the coming year by Verna Wass and a copy of these had been circulated.
(d)Courses – No specific courses have been organised, but Barry Davis will arrange for certain ringers to be tutored individually as it was felt this was more useful in progressing their skills.
(e)Advent Carol Service – Wardington have confirmed they will host this on Saturday, 8th December at 7pm.
(f)Guild Six Bell Striking Competition is being hosted by our branch on Saturday, 6th October – Barry Davis has organised the towers. Help with regard to stewards and catering will be required when the time comes.
11Any other business
(a)Ringing for England – Steeple Aston confirmed they were ringing a quarter peal on 23rd April. Other towers would also be ringing on that date.
(b)Olympics/Jubilee – Individual towers would be organising ringing for these occasions rather than a branch-wide ring. Banbury bells are available on 5th June.
(c)Graham Clifton thanked all Branch Officers for their hard work within the branch and for the reports made in this respect. A request was made by Barry Davis that the reports be formatted with the narrowest of margins and maybe smaller fonts in an effort to cut down paper required for printing. Sue Burchell also suggested that sending them in one file rather than individual files may also assist. This was noted by the Secretary.
(d)First Aid Course – Verna Wass reported, this needs at least 12 people. Alan Rampley would be the tutor. Cost would be about £20 per person. The date to be 1st September 2012.
The meeting closed at 6.15 pm.
1