The Story so far

The Guild Gavel and Stand

When John Taylor recast the ring of eight at Hughenden in 1952, the local band carried out eight hundred and thirty-three hours of work assisting in the rehanging and raising money for the project. Although this may be common in restoration work in the 21 st century, fifty years ago it was
more unusual.

One of the money-raising ideas was the turning of model bells from the wood of the old oak frame. The tower captain at Hughenden, Roland Biggs, produced these and to commemorate the new bells he made a gavel and stand in the form of a bell resting in a model frame. It was presented to the Guild in 1954 to be used by the Master at meetings.

Guild Gavel and Stand

The Guild Banner

In 1956 George Edmans, of the Central Bucks Branch, suggested that the Guild, and perhaps all the branches, should each have a banner similar to those used by the Mothers’ Union. This novel idea sparked off some interest but when a sub-committee considered the proposal it felt that the Guild could not afford it. Mr Edmans kept alive the idea by volunteering to have it made for the cost of the materials.

Guild Banner

The Guild Master’s Badge of Office

When George Edmans suggested that the Guild should have a Guild Banner in 1956 the idea of a Master’s Badge was also mooted to mark the Guild’s seventy-fifth anniversary. The sub-committee predictably reported that the Guild could not afford it. The estimates obtained at that time were £31 for a gilt white metal badge, whilst a silver-gilt would cost £36, plus £21 purchase tax. The idea was shelved.

To give some idea of how these costs compare with today’s prices, the Guild report cost £7.50 to print that year, members’ subscriptions brought in £124 whilst a collection at the annual Festival brought in £5.55.

Twenty-one years passed, and a new sub-committee was set up to plan the events for the centenary. Among the tangible souvenirs produced were bells, goblets and rose bowls in Caithness glass; pint and half-pint pottery mugs; ties and a new Guild badge. The committee also recommended that a Master’s badge be obtained to mark the centenary.

Members were asked to send in designs and, from about a dozen submitted, one by Stanley G Scott was selected. After some small modifications it was produced in sterling silver at a cost of £372.

Members were invited to send in donations, and a total of £131 was contributed. The badge was dedicated at the Centenary Service on January 17, 1981 at St Mary’s, Reading by the Bishop of Reading.

William Butler was the first Master to wear it, initially at the dedication, and later that evening at the Guild social gathering in the Reading Civic Centre where several hundred people had the opportunity to inspect it.

Bill Butler, 2005

Master's Badge

The Guild Master’s Model Bell

The model bell in its frame was a bequest from Mrs C.W.O.Jenkyn to the Guild, probably made by her husband.

The bell weighs about 20 pounds. It rests in plain bearings in a frame approximately 24 by 12 inches.

The current Master of the Guild is responsible for it and it is passed to each successive holder of the office. It is shown being used in a ‘tower maintenance’ session at the Easthampstead Course in2003.

Master's model bell