Author: Andy

Oxford Diocesan Guild of Church Bell ringers
Oxford City Branch

Annual General Meeting held on Saturday 14^th November at St Giles Horspath, at 4pm

1.  Apologies for Absence: 
Katie Lane, Jonathan Cresshull, James Champion, Tony Crabtree, Claire Malone-Lee, Jonathan Beale, Janice Beale, Elaine Chaston, Dale Trenam, Louise Yendole, J Horne, C Frankum, L Richardson, Ian Davey Wilson, Tim Hillsdon, Jesus Anonuevo

2.  Minutes of Previous Meeting:  
The minutes of the half yearly meeting held at Cowley St James were approved.

3.  Matters arising:  
John Pusey asked if any consideration had been given to what we wanted from a Ringing Master. This will be discussed when we get to nominations. Andrew Freer asked about progress at Marston.  This will be discussed in a.o.b.

4.  Election of New Members: 
Dale Trenam - (Garsington) proposed by Richard Jeffrey, seconded by Hugh Deam
Ed Nicholson - (Headington) proposed by Claire Fairbairn, seconded by Paul Lucas

5.  Presentation of Certificates:
Certificates were awarded to new members proposed at the half yearly meeting in May by Hilarie Rogers, Guild Ringing Master.  

6.  Reports from Officers:

Ringing Master: Katie Lane had prepared a statement which was read out by the Chair.  She suggested there needed to be more thought given to what was wanted from the Ringing Master role. She stressed the need for the branch to work together. 

Treasurer:  Dorothy Hall reported  we currently have 153 paying members, with income from subs of £1,393. At the half yearly it was agreed that an extra 50 pence per sub would go to the Guild. The Guild AGM hosted in the City cost us £140, and nine members have been on courses.

The course guidelines from the 2006 AGM needed clarification, as it was unclear whether the wording meant no member could claim for the same “group” on a course or for the course itself.  After discussion it was agreed that everyone who had attended this year would be paid.  Where funds allowed in the future, then course fees would be paid up to a maximum of £80 per member, and where the course was one with several groups, e.g. Steeple Aston, then no one attendee could claim for the same group twice.

Dorothy reported that paying all 9 attendees this year would mean we will have spent £52 more than we had taken in, and leaves a balance of £2546.

Chair Simon Edwards had nothing to report.

Vice-Chair Paul Lucas had nothing to report.

7. Election of Officers: 

All officers said they were prepared to stand again, with the exception of Jonathan Cresshull who stood down as Branch Representative, and there were no other interested parties. No one expressed an interest in taking the role of Ringing Master. John Pusey said he had asked at the half yearly that Branches be approached to give their views on what they wanted from a ringing master. Lindsay Powell said she had contacted all towers and only one had responded. The Ringing Master Post to be held open. 

Chair:  Simon Edwards was elected - proposed by Andrew Freer, seconded by Alena Ptak-Danchak

Vice Chair: Paul Lucas was elected - proposed by John Pusey, seconded by Ron Burgess

Secretary: Lindsay Powell was elected - proposed by Claire Fairbairn, seconded by Hugh Deam

Treasurer: Dorothy Hall was elected - proposed by Paul Lucas, seconded by Lindsay Powell

Branch representative(s): Andrew Freer was elected - proposed by Lindsay Powell, seconded by Ron Burgess

Auditor: Katherine Stonham was elected - proposed by Paul Lucas, seconded by Alena Ptak-Danchak

Hugh Deam said we must also remember there are other roles which have to be filled in the Branch - Andy Dunn continues to act as webmaster, despite having moved from the area.  Hugh Deam has taken on the role of outings co-ordinator and also does some fundraising.  

8. Half yearly meeting and striking competition:
At the half yearly meeting it had been agreed to have a more informal competition alongside the “formal one”.  There was much discussion as to how this should work, John Pusey said that there needed to be an incentive - stress the chance to ring together etc to get good attendance.  Lindsay Powell said our new Guild Representative, Tony Crabtree had some good ideas having set up something similar for the Vale of the White Horse. After much discussion it was agreed that this would go ahead after the half yearly meeting, at a tower with easy to ring bells, probably Marston, and that in the mean time it would be publicised through Hugh’s News and word of mouth, stressing the fun element and that it would be a chance to socialise with other branch members and have a good day out. Lindsay Powell to write something for Hugh’s News, and everyone to try and keep it high on the agenda with ringers in their own towers. Nearer the time either towers or individuals will be asked if they want to take part, and scratch bands will be encouraged. 

7.  Any other Business:
Richard Jeffrey asked about the ringing master post - was there a particular problem with the post? Simon Edwards said there was an issue with attendance being very low at Branch Practices which meant they weren’t as productive as they should be.  Claire Fairbairn said one job for a future ringing master could be to raise enthusiasm for Branch practices.  John Pusey said they could also visit individual towers and discuss with Tower Captains what is required, maybe bringing a few extra helpers along if necessary,  but feed back is needed from towers to progress this. Hugh asked if maybe we needed a training officer instead? 

It was agreed that Hugh Deam will run the Branch Practice arranged for Iffley in January. Dorothy asked that people come forward with ideas. 

Kirtlington - Ron Burgess is currently training a new band to ring here. Recruitment was successful through setting up a facebook group - 17 people came forward, and 9 - 10 have stuck with it. 

Cuddesdon - These are ringable, following some basic work by Whitechapel.  Brian Lowe from Horspath is the contact at present, and he is training a new band.

Marston:  Anthony Hughes reported that the Marston bells will be back before Christmas, and will have sound control, meaning Marston will be able to make a larger contribution to City Branch ringing. Roy Jones library has been catalogued, with books being distributed to family, then Marston tower members, then others who might be interested. The remainder will be going to the Oxford Diocesan Guild library.

Thanks were given to the Horspath ringers who had proved the tea.
The meeting closed at 5.15pm