The fifth annual meeting of the Alton and Petersfield District of the Winchester and / Portsmouth Diocesan Guild was held at St. Laurence's Church, Alton, on Saturday, January 22nd. Those present included Mr. George Williams (Guild Ringing Master), the Rev. C. Minton-Senhouse (district vice-chairman), the Rev. T. N. Rathbone Griffin (Vicar of Alton), and members from Alton, Alresford, Blackmoor, Hawkley, North Stoneham, Portsea, Petersfield, Milland, Privett, Steep, Soberton, Wonston, Winchester and one unattached. Visitors were present from Haslemere and Cottingham (Yorks), making a total of 38. The bells were rung in the afternoon and evening from rounds to Cambridge Surprise Major. The Guild's service was held at 4.30, at which the Rev. T. N. R. Griffin officiated, giving a short address.
Tea was provided in the Parish Room, and at the business meeting in the absence of the district chairman (the Rev. F. G. Eyres) through illness, the district vice-chairman presided. The hon. secretary (Mr. C. E. Bassett) read his report for 1937, in the course of which he said the membership was now 103, the highest since the new district was formed.
The hon. auditor presented the balance sheet, which he said was most satisfactory and showed a balance in hand of £11 13s.
Mr. H. Collis (Petersfield), Mr. L. Noakes (Alton) and Mr. F. Windybank (Blackmoor) were elected ringing members.
The district officers were re-elected en bloc, with the addition of Mr. A. Hardiman as second representative on the Central Committee.
The next annual meeting at Petersfield was fixed for January 28th, 1939, and the next quarterly meeting to be at Froxfield (provisionally) on April 30th, 1938.
An appeal was received from Canon S. N. Sedgwick, Rector of Warnford, for a grant towards the restoration of his tower and bells. The meeting decided that when the work was nearer commencement they would make a grant, but no sum was decided upon.
The meeting made a grant of £1 to the fund for new ropes at Alton tower.
The usual votes of thanks were accorded, after which the meeting terminated.
The Ringing World No. 1403, February 11th, 1938, page 102