Guild Festival and AGM - Saturday 13 June 2009.

Lamerton and Tavistock.

The meeting was held in the Sports and Community Centre at Lamerton, near Tavistock. Prior to the meeting 6 towers were open for ringing, including Lamerton.


Lydford church; and Sampford Spiney church

A team of local helpers led by Valerie Hill laid on a lavish 3 course buffet lunch in the Community Centre immediately prior to the meeting. Fears that this may lead to sleep during the meeting proved largely groundless.

The meeting, chaired by President Lester Yeo, was a very constructive and good-natured occasion. The main points arising (in no particular order) were:

  • Recommendations made by the subject groups in the Guild Review were adopted, with minor amendments. The President asked the groups to re-convene to discuss the mechanics of their recommendations (who would make them happen, when, what resources and cost implications would be required and how success would be measured). Timescales for reporting back will be announced shortly.
  • Mo Hawkins was appointed Master Elect for 2010/11. Mike Mears and Alan Edwards were elected Vice Presidents. Lynne Hughes was elected Education Officer and Tim King was thanked for his contribution during his tenancy in the post. All other officers were re-elected.
  • Russell Chamberlain was thanked for his period as Master 2008/09 and handed over the chain of office to John Steere who is the Master 2009/10 with immediate effect.
  • The Guild annual subscription fee was raised from £5 to £6.
  • Notable Dates:
    Guild Quarter peal week: 23 October – 1st November
    Striking Competitions: Saturday 17th October; 6 bell competitions at St Mark’s Exeter and Pinhoe. 8 bell competition at Heavitree.

After the AGM, the Guild Service was held in St Eustachius church Tavistock, during which Rev Russell Chamberlain gave a very apposite address. Following the service there was open ringing at St Eustachius and an opportunity to ring on the newly dedicated 6 at Sampford Spiney.


Ringing at Tavistock; and Roger King receives a commemorative plate for assisting with the bell restoration project at Sampford Spiney.

The programme for the day can be found below, or is available as a PDF file for printing.

Documents for the 2009 meeting:

Programme for the day (also available as a PDF).

1000 - 1100 Open ringing:
Bridestowe & Laira, Plymouth
1100 - 1200 Open ringing:
Lydford & Stoke Damerel, Plymouth
1200 - 1300 Open ringing:
Lamerton & Whitchurch
1300 - 1430 Buffet lunch at the Lamerton Sports and Community Centre
(next to The Blacksmith's Arms)
Names to Valerie Hill by 6th June please
1430 GUILD ANNUAL MEETING at the Community Centre
(Nominations for Guild officers may be made in advance, in writing to the , indicating proposer and seconder and the candidate's willingness to stand. Further nominations may be made from the floor of the meeting, as must all proposals for the Guild Master)
1630 Tavistock: open and service ringing
1700 Guild service, followed by open ringing
The Frank Mack mini-ring will also be available for ringing at the base of the tower
1900 Sampford Spiney bells will be available for open ringing