MINUTES OF THE BRANCH MEETING AT ST. JAMES’S, GAWSWORTH ON SATURDAY, 24^TH JANUARY 2004

Chairman’s Opening Remarks and Vote of Thanks

The Chairman, Christine Broadley, thanked Bishop William, Rector of Gawsworth and Ken Bostock, the organist for officiating at the service. She also thanked the local ringers for the use of the bells and the excellent tea.

The Chairman said that the Branch committee are meeting at least four times /year and this should cut down the length of business meetings. So far out of this has come the following suggestions :-

-         A proposal to alter the quarterly meeting format

-         The revival of “Soundbow”. Christine would like articles for this please. In the next issue it is hoped to produce a list of Towers who would who would particularly welcome other ringers at their practice night either as learners or helpers.

-         The Publicity officer, Christine Pinnington, is hoping to encourage Towers to submit items of interest to the local press and to publicise peals/ quarters rung for special events. Also to send articles about branch events to the Ringing World. She is also requesting photos with accompanying story for the Branch scrapbook. It was suggested they could also appear on the Branch website or in “Soundbow”.

-         IT WAS NOTED THAT WRITTEN PERMISSION HAD TO BE OBTAINED BEFORE PHOTOS OF MINORS COULD BE PLACED ON THE WEBSITE.

The Chairman announced the death of Dr. David Beard whilst ringing a quarter peal. She asked for a minute’s silence to be observed.

Apologies for Absence

Apologies were received from Rorick Houghton and Geoff Gardner of Norbury, Andrew Mays of Hyde, Bill Dowse of Bosley and Frank and Christine Osbaldiston of Sutton.

Minutes of the previous meeting

The minutes, having been previously circulated, were confirmed. Proposed by Peter Dyson – all were in favour.

Matters arising from the minutes

Stephen Hughes wishes to resign from the committee. This was omitted from the previous meeting.

Treasurer’s Report

Peter Dyson, in the absence of the Treasurer, Christine Osbaldiston, presented the Treasurer’s report which had been circulated to the meeting.

The Branch finances are in a healthy state. There were 275 members in 2002 and 272 in 2003. The Branch has £1,230 in the Deposit account. There was no change in the Contingency fund, which amounted to £604.

Report proposed by Peter Dyson and seconded by David Friend. All were in favour of its acceptance.

Election of new members

Joan Dowse of Bosley, Edward Burrows and Elizabeth Allen of Mottram, Judith Lomas- Taylor of Wilmslow, Doreen Dawson of Macclesfield, Lisa Deaville and Tim Whiskard of Sutton were elected as members of the Guild.

Proposed by Trevor Marchbank and seconded by Paul Clifford. All were in favour.

Proposal for new format of Quarterly Meetings

The proposal which had been circulated to the towers was proposed by Trevor Marchbank.

Trevor reported that the proposal had emerged from two recent committee meetings. He said that the present format had been in place for a very long time! The committee felt that the format of the A.G.M. should remain the same but the quarterly meetings would take the following form :-

-                                 ring at one tower

-                                 tea and chat (possibly bringing own tea)

-                                 meeting should be short and consist of election of new members plus any notices from the Guild or Branch.

The proposal was seconded by Peter Dyson.

Peter reported that six success criteria had been drawn up of which the following three were considered to be the first priorities:-

-                                 higher proportion of new members to become active members of the branch

-                                 higher attendance at meetings

-                                 timely and effective communication of branch decisions, events and items of interest.

      Discussion of the topic followed.

Proposal put to the vote, with the amendment that the new format be tried for one year

  28 votes for

                          2 votes against

                          0 abstentions.

General

Christine Broadley reported that she had spoken to Peter Broadbent on the phone and that he was healing well. A letter of good wishes from the branch to be sent to him.

Christine Broadley related Peter Wilkinson’s thanks to the members of the branch who had helped, as stewards, on the ‘Bored with the Box’ tour on December 27^th. £1,262 was raised for the Guild Bell Restoration Fund. This did not include any ‘Gift Aid’ tax refunds.

It was requested if anybody would like to volunteer to become a member of the Branch committee they would be welcomed .

Graham Jenkins of Bollington reported that St. John’s, Bollington was to be made a redundant church. The future of the bells was unknown.

The meeting closed at 7pm. Further ringing continued at Bosley.