Reading Branch AGM details announced

As we approach the end of the year, thoughts turn with huge excitement to the Branch AGM!

I am delighted to say that Henley have agreed to host us this year so the meeting will be held in the beautiful Chantry House, the only Grade I listed building in Henley.

The meeting will be held on Saturday 9th February 2019 from 10.00 – 11.00 (coffee and biscuits available from 9.30) and will be followed by our branch practice from 11.00 – 12.30. The agenda is attached and papers will be circulated by the end of January next year.

In advance of the meeting, please note the following points:-

  1. All officers will stand down at the meeting and those willing to stand again are listed below. Please send nominations for any of the posts to me.
  2. I would be most grateful if you could let me know who will be your tower correspondent for next year with contact details so that I can supply these to Heather Browning by 31st January 2019 in time for publication of the 2019 Annual Report.
  3. Would you please let me have any AOB in advance of the meeting.

Officer Posts

Chairman – Giles Winter willing to stand again
Secretary – Pam Williams-Jones standing down due to planned extensive absences next year
Treasurer – Keith Vernon willing to stand again
Ringing Masters – Robert Partridge and Colin Newman willing to stand again
Web Master – Tim Haywood willing to stand again
Youth Officer – Daniel Page willing to stand again
Branch Representatives – James Champion and Keith Vernon both willing to stand again
Newsletter Editor – Diana McClure willing to stand again
Independent Examiners – Helen Bennett and Joan Bennett willing to stand again

With many thanks and best wishes for Christmas and the New Year,

Pam

 

Reading wins 2018 ODG 10-bell contest

The Reading branch team won the Oxford Diocesan Guild (ODG) 10-bell competition on Saturday 24 November 2018.  It took place at St Nicholas (10 bells, 21-2-1), Newbury.  Four other branch teams (from a total of 15 ODG branches) took part.  They were:  Old North Berks (ONB) and East Berks and South Bucks (EBSB), who tied in second place, Newbury, who came fourth, and Banbury, who came fifth.

The competition judges were John and Hilda Ridley, and the faults for each team were as follows:

Reading 17,     EBSB 30,    ONB 30,     Newbury 46,     Banbury 92

So, a  resounding  win for Reading!  Many congratulations to the team:

Team photo
Clockwise, r to l: June Saint 1, June D Wells 2, John Manley 3, Thomas R Sherwood 4, E John Wells 5, Robert Partridge 6, Joanna E Knight 7, James Champion 8, Colin Newman (C) 9, Douglas J Beaumont 10. Photo by Bobbie May

The judges said that Reading had the slowest pull-off of the day but quickly settled into some very good ringing – slightly slower than the rest of the teams but very consistent and a pleasure to listen to.  They rang Plain Bob and Little Bob Royal.

The Reading team had representatives from four towers:  Caversham, Reading (St Mary & St Laurence), Shiplake and Tilehurst.  Special congratulations to Tom Sherwood, aged 15, who was ringing in the 10-bell competition for the first time.    The last time Reading won, in 2016, his sister Anna was in the team.  In 2017 Reading was disqualified because of a miscall – but the judges were complimentary about the ringing.