Shropshire Association of Church Bellringers

The first Association peal of 2025 has been rung at Haughton in Staffordshire.

The Shropshire Association’s 2025 AGM was held at Ellesmere. Prior to the meetings there was ringing, led by Nik Galton, followed by a service of thanksgiving. The service was led by Revd Pat Hawkins, and the organist was Julian Cattley. The reading was read by Peter Leigh, from the Ellesmere band. About fifty ringers attended the meetings which were led by Sue Dancey.

The following were elected as new members of the Association: Doug Slater, Catherine Slater (both Calverhall), Danielle Ashfield (Ellesmere), Kevin Ottaway (Forton), Louise Hughes (High Ercall), Lisa West (Lilleshall), Julie Platzer (Market Drayton), Diane Davis, Duncan Davis, Eva Roberts, Martin Roberts, Fae Stokes (all Newport), Jenna Gray, Pippa Tucker (both Oswestry), Chris Basson, Julie Basson (both Shawbury), Alfie Boulton, Kai Boulton, Bev Jones, Penny McDowell, Max Symons (all Dawley), Judy Bailey (Tibberton), Ian Wiltshire (Overton).

The changes to the Association Rules were approved.

David Beckwith gave the Treasurer’s report. The balance in the General Fund was £4,855.26, and the balance in the Bell Restoration Fund (BRF) was £55,363.45. Grants from the BRF had been made to Lilleshall, Norton-in-Hales, Albrighton, Ryton, and Moreton Corbet. Expenses from the General Fund had included Report/Handbook printing, attendance at the Central Council AGM, website subscription, Association badges, and insurance. The external examination of the accounts was still to be carried out. David thanked Biff Patterson for her work in handling the membership subscriptions.

There had been no elected training officer in 2024 but Gill Glover and Tony Freemont had carried out training sessions covering Beyond Plain Bob, which had a few students, and Plain Bob, which was well-attended. A Surprise Major practice was regularly held at Wem, and there had been several Wednesday morning practices at Lilleshall. Gill gave a brief description of the items held in the Association library and archive, inviting anyone who knew of items of interest to the Association to get in touch with her. Vicki Sivess reported that the social events in 2025 would be an outing and a quiz night. Biff Patterson reported that the Lichfield Mobile Diocesan Belfry was on a more stable financial footing than it had been. Andrew Gordon gave the Bell Adviser’s report mentioning that work was to be done at Bicton, Stoke on Tern, Lilleshall, and Sheriffhales. Andrew also reminded the meeting of the availability of ash for stays from Neil Bragg. Tony mentioned that it was the expectation that tower captains would take all three levels of the Diocesan safeguarding training.

Ann Williams spoke about the plans to celebrate the centenary of the Association in 2026. Ann said that the emphasis will be on the history of the Association and on looking forward. Ann also reminded those present that £10,000 is ring-fenced in the BRF for the installation of a new bell in an Association tower.

Ann was awarded the St Alkmund’s cannons for her work in planning the centenary celebrations. She was overwhelmed by the award and thanked everyone present.

Elections for the Committee were held. Tony Freemont was elected as Ringing Master; Julie Bowen stood down as one of the co-opted Secretaries and Sue Dancey was elected as General Secretary; Biff Patterson was elected as Membership Secretary and as Committee Member with responsibility for Membership (this is because the change in Association Rules didn’t take effect until the end of the AGM); Gill Glover was elected as Training Officer, and as Newsletter Editor. There were no other changes to the membership of the committee.

Michael Carding asked for photographers interested in recording the centenary events to get in touch with him. Andrew Gordon mentioned that he had Association badges for sale, at £10 each. Paul Smart reported that he had about 200m of rope available for repairing ropes. A small charge to cover the cost of the rope is made.

The raffle, with prizes of wine, chocolate, and a book, raised £104 for the BRF.

The final draw of the 2024 100+ Club was held and the winners are Biff Patterson (£50), Jad Bienek (£50), Dawn Offen (£20), and Ann Williams (£15). Gill announced that she would not be running the 100+ Club in 2025.

The next quarterly meeting will be held on Saturday 12th April 2024, at Oswestry, and the next AGM will be held at Meole Brace on 10th January 2026.