MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 

OF THE EAST GRINSTEAD & DISTRICT GUILD 

HELD AT LINGFIELD ON SATURDAY 8^th MARCH 2025

The 98^th AGM of the Guild commenced at 5.40pm, following the first Guild ringers’ tea  held since the Covid pandemic.    

The Chair (and Rope Fund Trustee) Kate Wills welcomed: Andrew Brock (President and Rope Fund Trustee), David Finch (Ringing Master), Ed Muller (non-member), Elaine Farrow (Committee member), Gavin Bennett, Iain Davey, Jane Kostelnyk (non-member), Jonathan Large, John Watts (non-member), Karin Freer, Mike Bullett (Treasurer and Rope Fund Trustee), Patrick Wills (Secretary), Robin Grant (Vice President), Roger Cowsill (Vice President), Roger Grieve, Ros Cowsill (Vice President), Stephen Pocock (Committee member), Trevor Crowhurst, Wendy Watts -  20 attendees. 

One minute’s silence was held in remembrance of former Guild member Mary Burr, who had died in December 2024.

1.         Apologies for Absence

These were received from: Alison Everest, Anthony Leeves, Barbara Taylor, Betty Green, Candy O’Donovan, Chris Westwood, Emma Tamkin (Rope fund Trustee), Gail Terry, Helen Goldstraw, Margaret Funnell, Milica Reardon, Richard Dyson, Robert Everest, Sarah Mitchell, Sheila Marsh, and Steve Newlands (Committee member) - 16 members.

2.         Minutes of the AGM on 11^th March 2024

There were no issues as to accuracy.  Adoption of the Minutes was approved by those attending and signed by Kate Wills as an accurate record.

3.         Matters Arising from the 2024 AGM Minutes

            None.

4.         Chairman’s Report for 2024

The Report was adopted by the meeting subject to one amendment: the Quarter Peal at Edenbridge to commemorate the life of our late President, Ray Large, had taken place on 9^th February, not 5^th January. 

5.         Statement of Accounts for 2024

5.1       Financial Statements for the year ended 31^st December 2024 had been made available to the members prior to the meeting.   Mike Bullett briefly summarised the accounts.  No questions were raised.  The Financial Statements were proposed by Mike Bullett, seconded by Andrew Brock, and adopted by the meeting. 

5.2       The meeting was advised that the E J Oliver Rope Fund 2024 accounts, also made available to members before the meeting for information, had already been approved by the Fund Trustees.  They did not require approval by the meeting.   There were no questions raised. 

6.         Election of New Members

6.1       Three new members had been elected at the Guild meeting in February 2025 (and the Guild Rules required ratification of their election at this meeting) as follows:  Wendy Watts (Outwood), Sarah Mitchell (Reigate), and Karin Freer (Lewes Southover).

6.2       Kate Wills proposed Ed Muller (Bletchingley) and Mike Bullett proposed Jane Kostelnyk (Kemsing), as new members. 

6.3       The meeting voted in favour of ratifying/electing these 5 ringers.

7.         Election of Officers for 2025-2026

7.1       The following members had agreed to stand as Officers: - 

President – Andrew Brock 

Vice Presidents – Robin Grant, Roger Cowsill, and Ros Cowsill 

Chair – Kate Wills 

Ringing Master – David Finch

Treasurer – Mike Bullett 

Secretary – Patrick Wills

Assistant Secretary – vacancy 

Committee members – Elaine Farrow, Stephen Pocock, and Steve Newlands

E J Oliver Memorial Fund Trustees – Andrew Brock and Emma Tamkin 

7.2       No nominations prior to the AGM had been received for the post of Assistant Secretary or indeed any other officer.  There were no nominations from the floor.   

7.3       Kate Wills proposed the election of Andrew Brock as President, and Robin Grant, Roger Cowsill and Ros Cowsill as Vice-Presidents.   David Finch seconded the proposal, and the meeting duly elected them.

7.4       Kate Wills handed the chair to the President, Andrew Brock.  Andrew proposed a vote of thanks to the Committee members for the contribution they make and continue to make to the Guild, and those members who had provided tea today.   He then proposed Kate Wills as Chair for 2025-2026, this was seconded by Mike Bullett, and the meeting duly elected her. 

7.5       Kate Wills then proposed that the remaining candidates willing to stand for the 2025-2026 committee posts or as Rope Fund Trustees should be elected en bloc.   This was seconded by Iain Davey and the meeting duly voted to elect those Officers.

8.         Programme of Meetings for 2025-2026

8.1       The members were reminded that the April 2025 meeting was due to take place at Shipbourne (6), although this fixture had still not been confirmed.  Mike Bullett will chase this up.

8.2       The programme thereafter was outlined as follows: - 

            10^th May - there is no meeting as both the Surrey and Sussex Associations hold their AGMs on this date

14^th June – Mayfield (8) – afternoon meeting.

            12^th July – Patrick Wills had kindly agreed to organise the annual outing to the Rye area in Kent.  New Romney, Lydd and Brookland were mentioned.     It will be left to Patrick to determine venues.

            9^th August – Chailey (6) – afternoon meeting.

            13^th September – Turners Hill (8) - afternoon meeting.

            11^th October – Worth (6) - afternoon meeting.

            8^th November – Tonbridge (8), morning meeting.  

            13^th December – Rusper (8), morning meeting, being our traditional Christmas coffee and mince pie event.   It was noted that there are no toilet facilities at this tower.

            10^th January 2026 – Newdigate (6) - morning meeting.

            14^th February 2026 – Caterham St Mary (8) - morning meeting.

            14^th March 2026 (AGM) – Coleman’s Hatch (8) afternoon ringing followed by a ringers’ tea and business meeting (the members determined this was their  preference to a morning ring, business meeting, pub lunch and an afternoon ring as per the 2024 AGM)

            11^th April 2026 – Ardingly (6) – afternoon meeting.

9.         Any Other Business

9.1       It was noted by the Treasurer that there were 5 members attending the ringing meeting today who had not paid their tower donations.   Members were urged to resolve this today.

9.2       David Finch proposed that to celebrate the Guild centenary in 2027 there should be a special clothing order for members.   “Centenary” above “1927-2027” over our current logo was suggested.

9.3       It was agreed to hold a Centenary dinner on Saturday 5^th June 2027, to commemorate the formation of the Guild on 4^th June 1927.   Suggestions from the members were: that we commission a centenary cake; that we utilise some of the Guild funds to subsidise the dinner.

9.4       Kate Wills proposed that steepleage for regular meetings be taken from Guild funds.  After discussion the meeting decided to retain the current arrangement of collecting £1 steepleage at each meeting.

The meeting closed at 6.13pm.