Minutes
of the Branch AGM held at Dunham Massey on 26th November 2005
Chairman’s
Opening Remarks and Vote of Thanks
The Chairman, Christine Broadley, thanked the vicar of Dunham, the Rev.
Sutton, and the organist for officiating at the service.
She also thanked the Dunham ringers for the use of their bells and for
providing an excellent buffet tea. She
thanked the Bowdon ringers in advance for the use of Bowdon bells.
The Chairman mentioned that this was her last meeting as Chairman and
thanked the branch members for their support over the last three years.
She made reference to the deaths of Donald Pearson, Derek Smith and Peter
Maddocks, the latter who had died whilst ringing at Christchurch practice on 21st
November. The members stood for a minute’s silence in memory of their
lost friends and ringing colleagues.
The Chairman announced that Derek Smith had left his handbells to the
Branch. The Branch Committee would
decide how they could be used.
Only two of the Branch’s allocation of Guild calendars were left.
The other branches had sold theirs so that the fund-raising exercise for
the Bell Restoration Fund had been a great success.
Apologies for
Absence
Received from:
Rebecca Glen, Ivor Nichols, Andrew
Mays, Bill Hall, Sue Dyson and Neil Lomas.
Minutes from the
Previous Meeting
These were passed.
Matters Arising
From the Minutes
Alan McFall had undertaken to prepare an email list of ringers who would
like to be reminded of the Macclesfield 12 bell practice.
Member should advise Alan if they want to be included on the list.
Regarding the quarter peal event, the intention is to hold practice
sessions prior to the event, so if anyone would like to benefit from these they
should notify the Chairman or a committee member.
A volunteer was required to organise the Branch Outing in 2006.
Bell
Advisors’ Report
Peter Dyson reported that it had been a quiet year.
The only job had been to advise Disley about a broken slider.
Secretary’s
Report
The Secretary presented his report.
Election of Officers
All the officers were elected en bloc with the following exceptions:
Chairman:
Simeon Farrington
Secretary:
Rebecca Glen
Joint Ringing Master: Clive Calton
Committee Member:
Stephen Hughes
Leaving
the Committee: Trevor Marchbank, Christine
Osbaldiston and Christine Pinnington
Proposed by Andrew Mayes and
seconded by Anne Mayes.
Election of New Members
The following were elected members of the Guild:
Joan Cumpstey and Andrew Beswick from Bowdon; Nicholas Jenkins from
Bollington; Andrew Darling, Wendy Lee and Jane Hobbs from Dunham.
Proposed by Clive Calton and seconded by Simeon Farrington.
Other Business
Denis Mottershead wanted to bring up an item that he wanted to consult
the branch about. He had written to
the Guild Secretary about an issue and he didn’t think that the Guild
Secretary had addressed the point fully. Denis
was concerned that having the Guild Festival and 8-bell Striking Contest on the
same day was unfair to less advanced ringers.
Kevin Rogers said that the reason for bringing these events together was
because of poor attendance at the Guild Festival. David Friend added that there was a lot of pressure trying to
fit everything in to suit all needs. Clive
Calton asked whether there was any evidence that less experienced ringers were
at a disadvantage through combining the two events. There was some discussion with varying opinions expressed.
A poll showed that the Branch was in favour of keeping the two events
together. It was decided to refer
the matter back to the Guild Committee.
27 members signed the attendance book.
The meeting closed at 6.45pm. Evening
ringing continued at Bowdon.