MINUTES OF THE 32ND MANAGEMENT MEETING ON SUNDAY 24TH NOVEMBER 2024
Present: Glen Fiddy (President) (GF). Rev Clive thrower (CT). Chris Idle (CI), Steve Harpham (SH), Elizabeth Heaton (EPH), Andrew Hall (AEH), John Thorpe (JT), Mike Lawton (ML) and Jane Boden (JEB).
1. Minutes of the meeting held on 1st September 2024 and matters arising –
3a Association Handbells ongoing See item 5 below
4b Revision of the striking contest rules see item 4 below
7b. Derby St Lukes – The meeting was updated with discussions held with the church. It was agreed that the Church Warden would be
contacted next.
2. Apologies for absence – Received from Richard Taylor.
3. Ellacombe Chimes – An enquiry had arisen from Whitfield. It was decided after discussion that when it is known that a church has an Ellacombe Chime it would be denoted by ‘E’ on the Association’s web page under Association Towers.
4. Striking contest rules – Following the discussion at the October meeting. The six bell striking contest rules were discussed.
It was proposed & seconded to re-introduce the bonus for plain minor and treble bob minor. However the addition would be a points
addition rather than percentage addition.
For plain minor add 5 points: For treble bob add 10 points.
It was also decided that Rule 9 should be amended to allow for testing a bell following rope adjustment and to allow for any changes
to be rung during the practice.
Districts to be notified at ADMs.
5. Handbell insurance – B/F from the last meeting: the sizes of the bells have now been checked and and this will enable a quote to be obtained for insurance purposes. The Association handbells should be insured for about £8,000 and will check the value and that they are one of the 13 items mentioned in the insurance.
6. Association Insurance – Main Association Insurance – concern had been expressed on the amount we pay in insurance. Are we covered under our ‘home’ Church Insurance? Luke Heaton had been contacted as he had updated the insurance policies. It was thought that the Ecclesiastical Insurance did not fulfil all our requirements. It was important that the Bell Consultant(s) were insured. The cost for Public liability for all members at the time was not excessive. There is a limit to the personal accident to £20,000.
Enquiries will be made and the CCCBR web site and ART will also be checked; but we need to think carefully before cancelling part of
the policy, as some Association events take place not in a church building e.g. private rings and social events.
7 Membership subscription – The length of time for subscriptions to be collected was covered under Rule 5. Members who had not paid by 1st March should be contacted for payment, following the current rules.
8. Derby St Lukes – An enquiry had been received from the Churchwarden at St Luke’s regarding recruitment and training. The Southern District Committee had discussed this and felt that regrettably we could not do any recruitment on behalf of St Luke’s and any Learners would need to travel to a ‘teaching’ tower to learn bell control, this tower who probably have teaching aids eg simulator and the bells be easier to handle. It was agreed that this information will be passed on to the churchwarden.
9. Annual Report – We have a new Report Secretary who would be guided/advised by the former Secretary. The Management Group are happy with the existing formula. It was reported that one Ringing Master had difficulties in contacting members. We must have consent from members to publish telephone numbers.
The membership form printed in the Report should be as the form available on the website.
It was noted that for 2024 report the current pages 18 and 19 would need to be updated i.e. Junior up to 18 and Student 18-22 in full time
education.
10. Safeguarding The safeguarding officers are waiting for a date to meet the new Diocesan Safeguarding lead.
11. AOB – a. The website is currently being updated with regard to Bell Consultant’s reports. A conversation will also be held with the
webmaster about additions to existing reports.
b. The Management Group minutes will be uploaded as soon as possible.
c. Should expenses be paid to Officers for the use of their email? Ongoing.
d. A question was raised about should all members receive notification of the death of former members? The answer is Yes because it had been so requested at an Association Meeting, We needed to review the Association’s policy under GDPR.
12. Date of next meeting – A date in February was suggested, as the annual report would need to be reviewed.