The 2008 Annual general Meeting of the Guild was held on Saturday 15th November in the North of London. We were very grateful to Martin and Betty Sutcliffe for organising the towers,
We had decided to have a trial of ringing in the morning as well as the afternoon. Unfortunately, however, the first tower at Monkton Hadley was cancelled at very short notice, as we understood that a new vicar had withdrawn permission to ring. Whilst it was possible to contact members who had notified their intension to attend, two other members turned up at the tower and had to be redirected. However, in place of Monkton Hadley, Ken was able at just a few days notice to organise a ringing at St Andrew, Enfield. A quarter peal of Grandsire Triples was successfully completed. As there was a delay in gaining entry to the tower at St Andrew, Enfield members were late arriving to the 8 of St Mary Magdalene, Enfield where numbers were low. Members adjourned for lunch at the Old Cherry Tree on the green at Southgate.
The afternoon began at the 10 of Christ Church, Southgate. This building has Pre –Raphaelite stained glass windows by the Morris firm including designs by William Morris. The next tower was the 8 of St Anne’s Highgate where the bells had been rehung in 2006. It was at Highgate Hill that Dick Whittington heard the Bow bells and it was fitting that we rang Whittington here. The final tower of the day was Christ Church Hampstead where a ring of 8 was installed in 2005. Here we negotiated the narrow concertinaing ladder that looked rather like a loft ladder.
The method for the day was St Clements College Bob Triples, but throughout the day a range of methods was rung.
Some members departed for home at this stage but 25 of us sat for dinner at the Chez Gerard. We had been promised a screened off area in the restaurant but we were then joined by a large party and conditions for the AGM proved rather challenging but this kept proceedings short. The meeting closed in the normal manner with handbell ringing at 9.40.