Report of AGM 2024

Our AGM, hosted by Eastern District, was based around the Chelmsford area of Essex on the weekend of 14th - 16th June and followed the format established the previous year.

The Friday afternoon quarter peal attempts proved both popular and successful, with 34 members taking part in nine attempts, eight of which were successful: a very pleasing result. In the evening many of those involved, plus a few more members who had arrived during the afternoon, enjoyed a meal at the aptly named Six Bells in Boreham.

On Saturday, the largely sunny weather allowed us to enjoy the charms of the Essex villages we passed through or rang at. The morning ringing was organised along two routes. Those opting for the northern one rang at Bocking (10), Witham (8) and Terling (8). Those on the southern route enjoyed the novelty of the glass tower at St Martin of Tours, Basildon (8), followed by Galleywood (8) and Writtle (10). Coffee and biscuits had thoughtfully been provided at the second tower on each route.

In the afternoon, the routes converged at Great Baddow, where we enjoyed the 14cwt ring of 8, followed by our final destination, the village of Little Baddow. The 11cwt ring of 8 were put to good use with a range of ringing, concluding with a service touch of Grandsire Triples. Members then gathered in the church for the service, led by the Vicar, the Revd Canon Jacqui Jones. Three bell-themed hymns were sung with gusto, local member Sarah Dixon played a lovely piece on the harp, five members, representing different areas of the country, led the prayers and a bible passage was read by the Guild president.

It was then a short drive to the Memorial Hall for the business meeting, during which we elected our officers for the year ahead, congratulated three members on obtaining Automatic Life Membership and awarded Jan Wyatt of Western District Honorary Life Membership.

The final agenda item of the business meeting, which was concluded in just over an hour, was the all-important vote of thanks: to the incumbents of the 17 churches where we'd rung, to those involved in the service, and to local member, Wendy Godden, and her dedicated group of helpers for their excellent organisation of the whole event. It is no mean feat to keep over 60 ringers happy for an entire weekend, but they managed it. With the business meeting concluded we then enjoyed the splendid tea that had been provided.

Sunday morning saw many members joining local bands for service ringing before heading home. There was general agreement that it had been a most successful and well attended weekend, and that the three-day format is one we wish to see continue.

Elizabeth Smith