Attendance at the September [3rd] quarterly meeting of the Winchester Branch of the Winchester and Portsmouth Guild of Church Bell Ringers was very poor, when only 30 members met at the church of St. Stephen, Sparsholt, for the traditional ringers’ service which, in the absence of Canon E. D. Cartwright, was taken by the Reverend J. New, who is also a ringer. Mr. New drew the attention of the congregation to the varied duties undertaken by many people in the daily work of the church.
A substantial tea provided by the lady ringers from Winchester Cathedral preceded the business meeting. Mr. A. P. Smith (Hursley), took the “Chair” to welcome two visitors from Stoke on Trent; offered congratulations to those recently married; and especially to Charles and Jessie Kippin for the celebration of their Golden Wedding.
Ringing Master, John Reynolds, resigned on leaving the district and Rodney Skinner (Ropley) was elected.
It was decided to introduce a special practice session at the next quarterly meeting in November when the first tower available for ringing would have a supervised practice for Plain Bob Doubles and Kent Minor. It is hoped that this progressive approach will lead to more frequent specific practices within the District in future.
In the afternoon, before the service, the five bells at St. Mary’s, Crawley, were available for ringing but when the final ring of the day took place at the Chapel of St. Mary, Winchester College, where the bells are less frequently available more members were present.
J.W.R.
The Ringing World No. 3780, October 7, 1983, page 831