Minutes of the Branch AGM held at Knutsford on 24th November 2007

 

Chairman’s Opening Remarks and Vote of Thanks

 

The Chairman, Simeon Farrington, thanked George Lee and the ringers at Rostherne for allowing the Branch to visit.  He also thanked the vicar of Knutsford, Rev. Nigel Atkinson for officiating at the service.  Finally, he thanked the Knutsford ringers for providing a fabulous buffet tea.

 

The Guild Master, Pam Thomson, was also welcomed to the meeting. 

 

Apologies for Absence

 

Received from: Andrew and Anne Mayes, Bill Dowse, Frances Hibbert and The Archdeacon of Macclesfield Richard Gillings.

 

Secretary’s Report

 

The Secretary circulated her report.

 

Minutes from the Previous Meetings

 

The minutes of the meetings since and including the 2006 AGM were accepted and signed by the Chairman as a true record of those meetings.

 

Update on Douglas Reeson

 

The Chairman gave an update on the health of Bowdon ringer Doug Reeson who is currently in hospital.  He had been steadily improving but has just had an emergency operation and the current situation is unknown.  Yvonne Blencowe is sending out updates by email and anyone who wished to be included was invited to join the email list.

 

Members Lost

 

A minute’s silence was held in memory of Bill Hall, Geoff Dyson and Fred Howard. 

 

2008 Programme

 

The Chairman reminded the Branch that the programme had been voted in at the October meeting but was still subject to confirmation from the towers involved. He then advertised the forthcoming events: the January meeting at Pott Shrigley and the Barn dance.  Rosemary Spencer then briefly spoke about the Barn dance which will be held in Poynton British Legion on 15th February.  Tickets will go on sale in the new year. 

 

Election of New Members

 

The following were elected members of the Guild: George R. Gilman of Bosley, Peter S. Robertson of Knutsford, Susan Alboutany of Mobberley and Kathy Jones, Peter J. Malloch and Wendy E. Malloch of Mottram.

 

Proposed en bloc by Christine Broadley and seconded by Andrew R. Mays.

 

Guild Report

 

The Chairman asked each tower to check their entry in the Guild Report and send any corrections / amendments in to the Secretary.

 

The Chairman reported that as 2008 will bring the 100th copy of the Guild Report the idea was to have a photograph of one tower from each branch on the cover.  As we also would like to have photos of all the Branch’s towers on the website it was suggested that each tower sends in a photo and the committee will decide which goes on the cover of the report.

 

The Guild Master added that old photographs or any stories would also be welcomed as contributions to the report.

 

Election of Officers

 

Vice-Chairman:            Clive Calton

 

Proposed by Christine Broadley and seconded by Alan McFall.

 

The executive officers were unchanged and re-elected en bloc.

 

Proposed by George Lee and seconded by Christine Armstrong.

 

Other Business

 

Ringing Foundation

 

The Chairman spoke about Central Council proposals for a Ringing Foundation with the aim of recruiting, training and retaining new ringers.  The Guild Master explained that it was a structured approach to training and that all Guild members were invited to discuss what they thought was needed at both Guild at Branch level.  This could be e.g. training days, courses or more basic things such as white boards.  In summary we need to decide what we want to do and what we would need to do it.  The Chairman requested that branch towers consider what might be done at a branch / guild level to help recruit, train and retain new ringers and forward their thoughts to him by 31st December 2007 so that the ideas could be fed back to the Guild Committee ahead of the January meeting.

 

Course within the Branch

 

The Chairman then spoke about offering courses within the branch, making use of the simulators available at Dunham Massey and Poynton, such as had been done in the past at Poynton.  Christine Broadley suggested that January would be a good time to start, as this would enable the goal of ringing a quarter in the Quarter Peal Festival in March to be realisable.  The Chairman asked that any requests be directed to him so that the Branch Committee could facilitate the training.

 

Cheshire Show

 

The Guild Master advertised the Cheshire Show to be held on 17th and 18th June, requesting helpers for the Lichfield Mobile Belfry.

 

 

Guild 6-Bell Striking Contest

 

The Guild Master presented Clive Calton of Cheadle with the 3rd place certificate for the 6-bell striking competition.

 

Branch Committee

 

Andrew Mays asked who was on the Branch Committee, as this had not been addressed earlier.  The reply was, in addition to the executive positions:

Christine Broadley, George Lee, Rosemary Spencer, Neil Lomas, Kevin Rogers, Dennis Latham.

 

Bored with the Box Tour

 

Emily Thurrell asked if there was to be a Bored with the Box in 2008.  The Guild Master replied that she was unsure but would raise it at the next Guild Committee meeting.

 

Ringing World Roadshow

 

Stephen Hughes suggested that the Branch looks into providing a coach to the Ringing World Roadshow to be held on 5th/6th September 2008.   The Guild Master suggested that branches might join together to provide transport if there was not sufficient interest from within their own branch.

 

 

30 members signed the attendance book.

 

Evening ringing continued at Knutsford.