The 2011 Annual General Meeting of the Guild was held on Saturday 19th November in the East End of London.
The morning began at St Mary’s, Bow with a quarter peal of 1260 Single Oxford Bob Triples. This went very well with good ringing throughout completing in 46 minutes. It was the first in the method for the Guild and first in the method for one of the band. There was time for some light refreshment before joining others for the afternoon.
Originally the afternoon had been planned with easy travel by public transport but this was spoilt by closure of the Docklands Light Railway and the Tube for upgrading in preparation for the Olympics. However we still managed to arrive on time. The special methods for the day were Single Oxford Bob Triples and Single Oxford Bob Caters.
The first tower of the afternoon was the 10 of St Dunstan, Stepney. The first church was built her in 952 and the churchyard was enlarged to cope with the massive number of deaths during the great Plague. Until recently births, marriages and deaths at sea were registered here. The 10 bells were recast at Whitechapel in 1806 and three were recast in 1952.
The next Tower was the 10 of St Anne, Limehouse. Built in the 18th century it has undergone extensive restoration recently. The pipe organ won first prize in the Great Exhibition at Crystal Palace in 1851 and the church is now the main rehearsal venue for the Docklands Sinfonia whilst still remaining the parish church of Limehouse.
The final tower of the day was the 8 of St George in the East, Stepney. The church built in 1714 was hit by a bomb during the Blitz. The original interior was destroyed by the fire but the walls and the distinctive ‘pepper –pot towers stayed. S modern church interior was constructed inside the existing walls and the glass front is very welcoming.
Having been let down by our first choice of venue for dinner, the Prospect of Whitby took our booking at very short notice. Very reasonable priced for London with a wonderful view over the Thames, they looked after us very well in our own private room. Thirty one of us sat to a very enjoyable meal, the only slight draw back being that when we came to the business meeting they were unable to shut off the music which was being channelled throughout the building
The meeting was closed at 9.10 in the customary manner with hand bell ringing.