MINUTES OF ONLINE AGM OF CI BELLRINGERS SEPTEMBER 20TH 2025
WELCOME AND THANKS TO ALDERNEY : Helen opened the Meeting with a welcome, Jennifer Hill thanked Alderney for hosting a fantastic day. Louise and Tim, who attended the day confirmed that both towers had been used, a delicious lunch and lots of ringing. Nicky and John David raised concerns about whether the SDGR community was fully informed about the day on their calendar, and wanted more information about the plans for the day before the actual day itself. Jennifer confirmed that she would make sure that it was on the SDGR calendar for next year. Louise has written a good report of the day which is already on SDGR and heading to Ringing World. She mentioned that if too many ringers from SDGR had turned up perhaps we wouldn’t have been able to cope with them all, Nicky just wanted it noted that perhaps we should try and make sure that SDGR are more informed of events turning up. Helen did confirm that Tim Phillips from SDGR did attend the day.
ELECTION OF OFFICERS: Helen, Jennifer, Peter B, Justin all agreed to stand again (with Jen confirming she will stand down next September) Peter R has confirmed that he would like to leave as Treasurer and Rebecca Harrison has agreed to stand. She was proposed by Duncan and seconded by Louise. All were in favour.
NEW MEMBERS: Helen Green (St Peters), Nick Winder (Alderney) Elizabeth Mannion (Alderney).
APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: Tim Clarke, Christine Harris, Beverly Sproats, Eve Sproats, Peter Routier, Hannah Read, Michael Halsey, Jean Collier, Anne Dorey, Joseph Blake, Donny Brock, Will le Ray, Ian Wood.
RINGING MASTERS REPORT.
Channel Islands Branch Annual Ringing Master’s Report
Over the past 12 months, the Channel Islands branch has seen significant progress and a number of notable achievements. The highlights are summarised below.
April Meeting in Guernsey
The April ringing meeting in Guernsey was very well supported. Proceedings began with a quarter peal of Channel Islands Little Triples at the Town Church, rung by
representatives from all three islands to a composition by Tim Wainwright. This was followed by a productive 8-bell practice, including spliced surprise major and touches of Stedman Triples.
On the Saturday, the branch enjoyed a wide-ranging practice at St Pierre du Bois, making full use of the 10 bells. This enabled us to ring more complex methods not often possible in the islands, including Yorkshire Royal and Stedman Caters. Well done to the Guernsey band for winning the eight-bell striking competition.
A quarter peal of Plain Bob Royal followed, which included Donny’s first Royal on tower bells, conducted by our judge, Steve Rossiter.
Milestones in May
May brought further success when two members of the Jersey band, Tim and Graeme, rang their first peals to celebrate Liberation Day. Congratulations to both.
Youth Development and College Ringing
Throughout the year, Elizabeth College has continued to produce impressive numbers of performances. A particular highlight was Benjy’s first of London Major. Already a challenging method, Benjy added to the difficulty by ringing two bells!
Much credit goes to Duncan, who has guided these young ringers from their very first handling sessions through to the complexities of eight-spliced. His commitment, often at the expense of his own advancement, has been instrumental in their progress.
Individual Achievements
Special congratulations go to Donny on his election to the Society of Royal Cumberland Youths, at their Country Meeting in Abergavenny in July. Congratulations also to June Bannister for scoring her first peal of Cambridge Major in Alderney in July.
Handbell ringing has also flourished, with a notable volume of quarter peals of Minimus during the year!
September Meeting in Alderney
September’s meeting in Alderney was another highlight, with excellent attendance despite a rough small boat crossing from Guernsey. Several members travelled earlier in the week, enabling Jane to complete the Standard Eight to quarters. A planned practice of Pudsey at Wells quickly developed into a touch of 1,280 changes.
The practice at St Anne’s took full advantage of the 12 bells, with good attempts at ringing on higher numbers, including an attempt at Stedman Cinques. The Wells striking competition was a success, with congratulations to Town Church for winning. This was followed by a quarter peal of Grandsire Cinques, rung by a predominantly Channel Islands band, including Donny and Joseph’s first quarter on 12.
Meanwhile, the Guernsey ringers managed a handbell peal on the return boat, while Benjy stayed behind to ring a near faultless quarter of eight-spliced at Wells that same evening.
Conclusion
This account only touches on some of the many achievements across the islands over the past year. From first peals to ambitious quarters on higher numbers, from developing young ringers to strengthening inter-island cooperation, ringing in the Channel Islands continues to thrive. With momentum growing and new challenges on the horizon, the branch looks set for even greater successes in the year ahead.
TREASURERS REPORT: Louise confirmed she had seen the accounts and approved them, however with no evidence at the Meeting it was agreed that Peter would send them round and if no points were raised by 7 days that would be a vote of agreement from all who attended. This has been done.
DATE AND VENUE FOR NEXT EVENTS: It was raised by Anne Dorey and Nicky David that they would like all of the 2026 Meeting days to be agreed upon as soon as possible. It was agreed that Jersey would host in April at St Johns on 18th April, at St Johns with other ringing in the day at St Marks. The test piece is to Bob Major (WHWH). As a group it was agreed that it is easier for the judges if everyone rings the same composition rather than different ones.
In terms of the September date it is agreed as the 19th Sept in Guernsey, venue to be decided amongst Guernsey, it is between EC and Forest as to where to host.
In terms of the online Meetings after the Ringing Day it was agreed to have it online 7days after the event.